Question: So I'm catering a rehearsal dinner AND a wedding for 200 invitees in July.......

[happytidefan]

My nephew is getting married and his "Auntie" is catering the rehearsal dinner and the reception following the wedding. I've done smaller weddings, but never for 200 folks (not that they will all come). I'm not scared, but challenged by it. I don't know how I get myself into these things, but here's what I'm thinking.

For the reception, (for 30), we are doing the dinner poolside, serving marinated rib eyes on the grill (to order), twice baked potatoes, green salad, pasta salad, bruschetta, coconut cake and chocolate/rasberry cake. I'm not bartending, so I don't have to worry with that part. There is a method to my madness in that most of this can be prepared ahead of time and I can do my part with the decorations and begin preparing the wedding reception food.

For the reception, my thoughts are to prepare a lot of a limited menu in lieu of a bigger selection of menu items so that I can pull it off. The bride has approved what I've got so far. I may have some help, but I will work better solo to stay focused until it's time for tablescaping.

I am thinking heavy od's as opposed to a meal: sliced beef tenderloin on homemade yeast rolls with horseradish sauce, those yummy little sausages with bacon wrapped around them with brown sugar, chicken salad in puff pastry tart shells lined with frise' lettuce, walnuts/goatcheese turnovers, cheese, fruits. Again, much of this I can prepare ahead of time and do assembly and presentation with some ease.

What would you guys do differently? Any easier suggestions? Additions?

I sooooooooooo appreciate your input.

 

[rizolltizide]

I'm assuming you mean the rehearsal dinner is a full dinner for 30 people. And you're going to do heavy od's for the reception which could be 200.

What would I do differently...talk the nephew and bride to be into having a smaller wedding.

 

[always4bama]

A grits bar - grits with a variety of toppings or a mashed potato bar - serve in martini glasses (plastic ones unless you plan having a dishwasher on standby).
meatballs in a bbq or sweet and sour sauce
fried macaroni bites
stuffed mushrooms
Miniature Spinach Quiche
chilled shrimp

just a few suggestions -

 

[BAMAFAN IN NY]

A grits bar - grits with a variety of toppings or a mashed potato bar - serve in martini glasses (plastic ones unless you plan having a dishwasher on standby).
meatballs in a bbq or sweet and sour sauce
fried macaroni bites
stuffed mushrooms
Miniature Spinach Quiche
chilled shrimp

just a few suggestions -

Grits bar? Never heard of such a thing. I cant eat grits that have been sitting around anyway.. they either get too thick or too thin after sitting around

 

[always4bama]

Grits bar? Never heard of such a thing. I cant eat grits that have been sitting around anyway.. they either get too thick or too thin after sitting around

You keep the girts warm, and monitored for correct consistency - a grits bar is quite popular for southern wedding receptions - ya gotta get south more often

 

[SavannahDare]

One of my favorite wedding receptions (other than my own, of course) was that of my best friend. She had burgers and hotdogs, grilled and dressed to order, and fresh, hot French fries and Coca-Cola in the little glass bottles on ice. In addition to the wedding cake, she had a sundae bar set up with every topping imaginable.

It was simple, delicious and perfect.

 

[BAMAFAN IN NY]

You keep the girts warm, and monitored for correct consistency - a grits bar is quite popular for southern wedding receptions - ya gotta get south more often

I definitely need to get south more often.

 

[happytidefan]

I'm assuming you mean the rehearsal dinner is a full dinner for 30 people. And you're going to do heavy od's for the reception which could be 200.

What would I do differently...talk the nephew and bride to be into having a smaller wedding.

You are so correct Riz, rehearsal dinner is a full dinner. I did have the word reception for rehearsal.

I think budget is playing a large role in why I'm doing all of this. The parents of the bride are really good, sweet people with no means to give their daughter a beautiful wedding and reception. They have contributed $200. (Tennessee fans - explains everything). The parents of the groom, my sister and brother in law, along with me, are financiers of the whole shebang, so I've been asked to keep costs down. Oh how I'd love to do the shrimp on ice feature, but the budget just won't allow it. The perfectionist in me wants it to be as classy as it can be but only within the parameters we can afford. I think about 50% of the invitations are for out of towners, so I'm thinking if I prepare for 150 at the wedding reception, I should be way over what I need. A grits bar sounds good, but I haven't been to a wedding with one yet.

 

[happytidefan]

One of my favorite wedding receptions (other than my own, of course) was that of my best friend. She had burgers and hotdogs, grilled and dressed to order, and fresh, hot French fries and Coca-Cola in the little glass bottles on ice. In addition to the wedding cake, she had a sundae bar set up with every topping imaginable.

It was simple, delicious and perfect.

See, I'd be happy with this too....it's ME....simple, fun, perfect for a July 30 afternoon. But these kids have a champagne appetite on a beer budget. Four bridesmaids, etc. I've offered them a honeymoon trip to the Carribbean for a week in lieu of a big wedding.....they didn't take the bait.

 

[always4bama]

another reception thing is "stations" you would do like a cold cuts/meats stations with three to four variety of meat-have a variety of breads and spreads for sandwiches, your fruit and veggie station with a couple of dips. if you go with grits or mashed potatoes station just have a variety of toppings - cheese, onions, salsa etc... neither is expensive-- there you have it. One thing I have discovered is if you spread the food around in stations people will not fill plates to over flowing the first trip through therefore the food goes further. Have fun with it -

 

[bayoutider]

Keeping with the grits bar theme what about a make your own nachos bar or taco bar?

 

[always4bama]

Keeping with the grits bar theme what about a make your own nachos bar or taco bar?

ooooo that would be cool--I will stick that one in my little idea box.

 

[happytidefan]

I'm really liking the idea of stations...our reception hall could easily accomodate that and you know, it might make it easier on me too....good ideas friends, thank you and keep 'em coming!