Catering for Weddings

Okay, this is where it can get pretty expensive, so you have three options.

1) Hire someone. Be prepared to get sticker shock if you want anything "fancy".
2) Do it yourself. Hard on you, easy on the pocketbook. This is always my choice.
3) Beg a friend to do it. Easy on you, easy on the pocketbook, could break up a good friendship!

I've catered both of my own weddings, weddings for quite a few friends, retirement ceremonies, and numerous other functions, and nobody has gotten sick or died. (I've been assured that's not what killed my first husband!) Following are the things I like to use--I vary the menu from occasion to occasion. Nothing fancy, but looks good, tastes good, and I can do it all for about a dollar a person. It takes me a few days to do it all, would take you a little longer if you're new to the process. I've done it so much it's easier now.

Menu items--use some or all if you're really ambitious

1-Finger sandwiches (ham, chicken, tuna, and/or cheese)

2-Pineapple and salami picks
2-Ham/cheese/olive/onion picks
2-Swedish meatballs
2-Little Smokies in a blanket
2-Pinwheel rollups
Drinks are sodas and punch

If the reception is in your home, put down a table cloth in the wedding colors. Top it off with a lace
cloth like above on the left. It makes it look just a little prettier. You can find all kinds of things to decorate with at a crafts store. I make my own bows to put around, it's a lot cheaper and you only have to make them once, then you can reuse them. The picture on the right was taken at a church. I bought 4 cheap, white bedsheets and covered the table with them. Makes a wonderful tablecloth for the long conference like tables.

In the picture on the left, in the middle of the table, you'll see a trifle bowl. That's just a "footed" clear bowl, used to layer desserts. I layer crackers in them, to eat with the little squares of cheese. You can find them in almost any price range. The one on the table above cost about $10, so don't go crazy on the cost if you decide to get one. Or, if you're having a wedding shower, put this on your wish list.

For a nice punch, I use a 3-liter bottle of 7-Up or a store brand of lemon-lime soda. I add to it one small carton of sherbet. I also usually add in a small thing of punch concentrate of some sort, but you don't have to. Use whatever flavor of sherbet you want, I like to use the Rainbow flavor. Makes the punch prettier. Make sure you have plenty of the soda and sherbet. Have whoever is "watching" the table for you keep an eye on it and refill as it gets empty.

You can also rent a fountain if you want. If you're having a fancy wedding, go this route. It's more expensive and you can only use certain kinds of punch, but it makes a wonderful impression. Put flowers to match the wedding bouquet colors around the fountain.

See below and the recipe pages (# in front of item is page) for recipes and ideas display

3-Cheese dip & tortilla chips
3-Fruit tray with dip
3-Vegetable Tray with dip
3-Barbecue cocktail sausages
3-Stuffed celery

Assorted cheese cubes & crackers