September 2008 Weddings
We're paying for everything ourselves, so keeping costs down is key. We know we want to have BBQ themed food and will likely hire someone to roast a pig, prepare it, dish it up, etc. The thing I'm struggling with are sides. In theory, it would be nice to "assign" a side dish to family/friends who have already offered to help, but on the other hand, cooking a dish for 130+ people isn't exactly a small feat. We'd be willing to pay for the cost of ingredients, but I can't help but wonder if it's cheaper to buy the side dishes from a caterer.
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Help w/ my wedding menu!
I need wedding help ladies..
We're paying for everything ourselves, so keeping costs down is key. We know we want to have BBQ themed food and will likely hire someone to roast a pig, prepare it, dish it up, etc. The thing I'm struggling with are sides. In theory, it would be nice to "assign" a side dish to family/friends who have already offered to help, but on the other hand, cooking a dish for 130+ people isn't exactly a small feat. We'd be willing to pay for the cost of ingredients, but I can't help but wonder if it's cheaper to buy the side dishes from a caterer.
I need help with my menu choices. This may aid in my decision to DIY the sides or order them through a caterer. Here's what I have so far. Do I have too many options? Do I need more hot dishes?
Mac & Cheese
Baked Beans
Cole slaw
Macaroni Salad
Pasta salad
Broccoli & bacon salad
Fruit salad
Kettle chips
For dessert we're doing cupcakes and maybe some other things like strawberry shortcake skewers w/ whipped cream toppings or a mini-fruit pizza station.
If anyone has ever ordered sides in bulk, is there a way of knowing how much I'll need to order per person? This could aid me in pricing things out and figuring out if it'll work into my food budget.
Re: Help w/ my wedding menu!
The sides sound good but maybe a little too carb heavy?
Baked beans are a must!
Fruit salad-yes
I like the broccoli and bacon salad or go with a green salad (which you can buy in bulk for cheap at a Costco or Sams Club)
Kettle chips-that is easy to get in bulk
I would do either pasta or macaroni salad
what about corn on the cob? I know you can buy them in bulk and cut them in half instead having these large corn on the cob.
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Various forms of medicated cycles since June 2010
IVF #1 tentatively scheduled for 2013
Doing acupuncture and focus on weight loss in the meantime
S/PAIF welcome
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Ditto Amy, I think you only need macaroni salad or pasta salad. I would add a garden salad as well.
I like her idea of corn too.
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DX: MFI June 2010 & DOR Sept 2011
Various forms of medicated cycles since June 2010
IVF #1 tentatively scheduled for 2013
Doing acupuncture and focus on weight loss in the meantime
S/PAIF welcome
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As far as ordering in bulk, compare prices with your local grocery deli, and they could help you figure out how much per person.
I would do either the macaroni salad OR the pasta salad, not both.
I would also add potato salad and maybe a taco salad.
I also like the idea of the corn on the cob, but I hate having corn stuck in my teeth.
I did a quick google of "how much potato salad for 150 people" I came up with this: Allow 15 lbs. of potato salad for every 50 people, Potato Salad is always a good buffet staple.
A Buffet is a variable meal which can be served either cold, hot or with a
combination of both hot and cold dishes.
The more dishes you add, the less of any one particular food you will need, many people will take a smaller portion of each item, many intending to 'taste' everything, others will be less likely to try every variety of salad etc. People prefer to be able to eat the meal with a fork, large items don't fit well onto plates (whole bone-in chicken breasts, spareribs, large dinner rolls, etc.) so avoid those.
Dishes that people can serve themselves easily with a spoon or fork, whether main dish,
salad or even dessert are best suited to a Buffet, use tongs to serve a tossed salad, not two spoons, people will be unable to use them with a plate in one hand.
A Caesar salad, (or tossed) and a potato salad, seem to be the normal 'salad staples', along with the newer pasta salads which are wonderfully interesting, with coleslaw, fruit salads, marinated vegetable and jellied salads working as terrific 'fill-ins'.
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Those right there are my exact hang-ups. I don't care if someone is telling me over and over again they don't mind helping out (and they REALLY mean it), I'd still feel terribly guilty that I'm burdening them with something.
I agree with pricing it out with the caterers and with everyone's suggestions about one pasta salad, and maybe a green salad.
I also think you should keep the macaroni and cheese, but mostly because it sounds yummy (and everybody loves it!)
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If you can, try getting the food elsewhere that way you won't feel bad about it and no one has to stress.
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That and it usually goes over well with children.
Mmmm, fo shizzle.
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I think you've got a lot of good suggestions ... we have some grocery stores around here that will do some catering, so that may be an option to look into!
Can you find a place to rent large nescos in case you end up doing some food yourself?
We have friends who do pig roasts for others and I think they will include a few sides if requested, so you can also check with whoever is providing that to see if it's an option.