Food question

[Tiggerprincess]

My reception is going to be outdoors......In the early evening......What kind of food would appropriate to serve my guests? I was thinking pot luck....What do ya'll think?
D.D.

[usahgrad]

Well, any kind of food will be appropriate...anything you want! My reception is in the evening in May and we'll be serving Fried Chicken and Jojos. (It's cheap and good!) It depends on what you can afford and what you're tastes are. For instance, our entire buffet, with the exception of the Ranch salad dressing and sour cream for the jojos (and cheese in the hors d'oeurves) will be lactose free so I can at least eat a little bit...even our cake! :) It all depends on what you (and don't forget your FH) want to eat.

[Tiggerprincess]

Ok.....We're trying to decide...Not easy when u have an italian family.....Not cheap either.......I'm gonna try to think of something....Keep the ideas coming........Thanx ya'll!!!!!
D.D.

[usahgrad]

I have heard that serving a noodle dish isn't a good idea...like spaghetti, but then I've seen lasagna at weddings before. I wouldn't want it at mine because I KNOW it would end up on my dress. Anyways, my point is, what about something ethnic, if you're italian. I don't have any one ethnicity, I'm a mutt, so I can't really pull it off, but if you're italian maybe you could make something or order something that's italian. Noodle dishes tend to be cheaper anyways, if you don't get them with meat. Good luck deciding.

[Tiggerprincess]

Thanx Kelli!! Great ideas.....Do u think making them would b cheaper?
D.D.

[LaceyinPgh]

If you really want Italian food, I know you can easily find caterers and venues how can put together an Italian foods meal or buffet that is fairl cost effective. Just as long as you don't get too fancy with things. You might not be able to pull off a imported meat and cheese antipasto tray. But you could pull of rigatoni, lasagna, chicken marsala, roasted potatoes, and green beans almondine with a nice green salad and wedding cake. That wouldn't be too bad, especially if you didn't add beef to the rigatoni or lasgana (they could double as vegetarian options too)

[Tiggerprincess]

Sounds great.........As long as i can still stay w/i budget....
Thanx:
D.D.

[usahgrad]

I agree with Lacey. While you could make them, you want to think about whether or not the day you're getting married, you're going to want to make them. Or for that matter, your family members would want to make them. While we're not using a formal caterer, we've hired some people to come out and make what isn't already made and serve everything. It saves us a bit of money without having to worry about the catering. The only thing is, you really have to trust the people you hire because they don't carry the name of a caterer to represent. The person we've hired works with my FMiL. When I met him, he told me to make sure that I don't worry about a thing when it came to food the day of. He would take care of everything. He's a very nice guy.

[CarlosHoney]

I agree! Having an italian buffet would be wonderful! You could also have Artichoke & Spinach dip, salad, bread, and some Italian Wedding Soup.

How big is your guest list? If you have a few good cooks in the family, you could always have one or two people make something each, in bulk, so that it's all handled.

Or, you could see how much it would be for a restaurant or caterer to do it and you take care of any sides. Remember, you can always have the main dishes catered, and do the sides yourself. Salad, bread, and a couple of veggies isn't hard to pull off..

And, you can make similar dishes to cut down on cost. Maybe you can have a choice of Chicken or Eggplant Parmigan, since you need the same things for both. Your caterer might give you a discount for having two similar dishes instead of two completely different choices.

[Tiggerprincess]

Sounds like a plan! My mom and I are the best cooks in our family....It's just keeping warm..We're gonna be outside the wholw time......Thats the only glich.....:confused:
D.D.

[usahgrad]

Like I said...you might not want to plan for your mother and you to be doing the cooking...I don't think you'll wanted that added stress on the day of your wedding. And keeping it warm isn't a problem...just get some chafers and fuels...the little cans of sternos and the wire racks and pans that hold the food above the little cans. Boom...keeping it warm not a problem anymore. Even inside, you have to keep your buffet food warm...it is possible.

[LaceyinPgh]

Sounds like a plan! My mom and I are the best cooks in our family....It's just keeping warm..We're gonna be outside the wholw time......Thats the only glich.....:confused:
D.D.
You can get disposable chaffing dishes and steam trays at any party supply store. They will only run a couple dollars each. I did them for my engagement party. You just set them, light the little can of fuel, and stick it underneath. It keeps everything nice and warm. When the party is over you just toss it all out.

[Tiggerprincess]

Awesome!!!!! Will Do......I had no idea that they were that inexpensive!......Thanx!:w00t:
D.D.