DIY reception... maybe a stupid question

[SoonToBeMrsBrown]

So my FH and I decided to plan our wedding & reception ourselves (money is tight but even so, I loooooooove planning :) ) and his mom and her sisters have agreed to cook for us. I'm planning on having a buffet-style reception with those food warmer trays (like this (http://www.kegworks.com/product.php?productid=18107&source=base)). Who would we get to light the little warming candles? I know if you hire a wedding planner they or the caterer will do it, but doing the reception ourselves creates a dilemma.

Should we ask one of his aunts to step out of the wedding early and go light them? Or should we just get them to light them after the ceremony is over? Or do we just have them lit before the ceremony starts (or is that a fire waiting to happen?). We're having one of his friends do the sound/music at the ceremony and DJ the reception, could we get him to do it? I just feel so bad giving one person so much responsibility. The reception is across the street and we will be walking, if that makes a difference.

[Moon.Dust.]

I remeber seeing a thing about chafing dishes and the fuel on Good Eats.
Let me look some stuff up to refresh my memory.

Here's some info on fuel: http://www.recipetips.com/glossary-term/t--38247/fondue-or-chafing-dish-burner-and-fuel.asp

As to how you want to do that... I don't know. It's not a hard task lighting them, so it shouldn't be a big deal, but I understand what you mean about feeling bad giving one person so much responsibility

[caligal85]

I would ask his mom and see what her suggestions are. Once the candles are lit, though, you really need someone there to watch them at all times.

[WebLady]

Yeah you will need someone to leave the ceremony early (or just not attend) to set up the reception buffet.

You can get chafing dishes and sternos to keep the food warm.

[EarlyBird]

have you thought of trying to find a student, one that is studying to be a wedding planner to hire day of to have things go smoothly. i know there is a school here locally and when we were doing our venue at a mansion, we were going to hire one for like 100. they were more interested in the exp. then the money.. just a thought

otherwise, i would ask somebody to step out the minute the i do's are said and light them. the thing is, the food has to be warmed before they go into dishes, the sterno just keeps them warm at their temp.

[SoonToBeMrsBrown]

Actually, the student thing sounds like a good idea! I'll have to look into that... I know at least a couple schools in my area have event planning programs.

[wannabeNurse2]

You could also hire someone who is trying to get their wedding decoration business off the ground. I hired my day of coordinator from a local board on another website. She's my clone for a day for $150.

[MrsKittyManes]

I'm going to be catering my own reception and what I'm doing is hiring a couple people off of craigslist to heat the food, refill the hot water in the chafing dishes and light the candles, and clean up as the night progresses. I posted an add on craigslist listing what all of their duties will be and had more responses than I had time to go through. I've ended up hiring a lady who used to have her own catering company and a girl that does waitressing as her regular job. They're only costing me $10 per person per hour and since they'll only be needed a short period of time it's not costing much. Try figuring out exactly what you want someone to do and then post an add to see what kind of responses you get.

[SafetyHarborBrideAtLast]

I did an event in the past (not a wedding) where we hired a local cheerleading squad that was trying to raise money to assist with setup, etc. We made a flat donation to the team, and about a dozen girls showed up and were so enthusiastic and appreciative of the money. If you have a niece/nephew who has a group they're involved in that is one place to look for volunteers.
That being said, do not feel guilty about asking guests to help you out on your wedding day. Most people are more than happy- do you have any guests attending who recently got married themselves? They probably would understand more than anyone. Make sure to include anyone who lifted a finger for you in your toast and everyone goes home happy!

[SoonToBeMrsBrown]

I did an event in the past (not a wedding) where we hired a local cheerleading squad that was trying to raise money to assist with setup, etc.

That's actually a REALLY good idea... when we were in choir in high school we were always looking for ways to raise money for our spring trip so I know they would be happy to help. :)