I’m thinking аbουt catering mу οwח wedding tο save a small money. It won’t bе a һυɡе deal wіtһ tһе people attending, small rural community. Aחу tһουɡһtѕ? Aחԁ һοw ԁο I know һοw much іѕ enough? Wе′re having ассυrаtе tο 100 people. Wе want finger foods. Aחу һеƖр іѕ ѕο GREATLY appreciated! Thanks!
Tags: finger foods, money, small rural community
Well first of all, do you have a huge enough kitchen to cater for all those people? I don’t just mean like a huge stove, but do you have storage and prep space to make and store all the food? Next, do you have a dependable group of friends or family that are willing to help you and know how to work with food? Also, will you be able to pass the responsibilities of the food to someone else closer to the wedding and especially on the day of? You will be too occupied and stressed to deal with food that day.
As to head regard, the safe rule of thumb is to assume that all 100 will come and make extra for 10-20 people. At minimum assume that people will eat approximately 2 of each finger foods that you supply–that is a minimum. To be safe just make at least 3 pieces per person attending and include an extra 20-40 pieces per dish. It is up to you how much you want to feed people. Did you place in the invitation that it would be appetizers only? This way people will either have eaten before or expect to eat after and not treat your reception as an actual meal time. The usual finger foods are cheese plate, fruit plate, cracker/bread plate, dips such as hummus and tapenade, etc.
You mentioned that it is a small rural community-so depending on the theme of your wedding as well will determine the kind of food you have…is it a low-key simple going wedding or a more fancy elegant affair. Both can be done cheaply as long as you choose the aptly food. But again, I would urge you consider the first questions I questioned you-it will make a huge difference.
My mom catered her own wedding.
She had the basics like fruit with different chocolate and sweet dips, shrimp cocktail and sauce, a huge thing of cheese dip with spinach and black olives- she made her own chips with tortillas for a small extra touch, she also had several different loaves of homemade breads and meats so people could make sandwiches, or wraps if they wanted.
She tried to keep it cost effective and fun, we loved it.
Rather than cater it yourself, I would question the ladies of the church. Most times they will prepare a nice luncheon and you just pay a fee to the church. That would certainly take your stress level down if you don’t have to prepare the food yourself. Most time these nice ladies make wonderful chicken salad, etc. They will know exactly how much food to make because they are used to having church dinners.
Here’s a menu we calculated for my mother-in-law’s last birthday. It was for about 75 people, so you’d have to up the amounts a bit.
MENU
———
-Roast a couple of beef tenderloins (slice for sandwiches - served cold) — Approx $60 each ($120 total)
-Roast a couple of turkey breasts (slice for sandwiches - served cold) — Approx $20 each ($40 total)
-Camelot Buns or Rolls (for sandwiches) — Seems like they are about $3.00 per pack (about $60 total)
-Horseradish, mayo, dijon mustard on side…..and cheese
-Roast/grilled asparagus (that people could eat with their fingers) - can be served cold (approx $3/bunch - about $30 - $40 total)
-Some sort of lemon sauce/dip (for asparagus)
-Tomato/mozzarella/herb skewers
(A package of baby mozza’s is about $4.00….we’ll doubtless need about 10. - $40.00 total)
(Isn’t a package of grape tomatoes about the same……….$40.00 total)
-Perhaps another skewer with marinated mushrooms or some such (about $7.00 a pound off the deli bar….can doubtless find them jarred cheaper)
-Balsamic vinegar dip on side
-Fruit & cheese platter with crackers (Depends on the cheese…Guessing about $40 - $50 total)
I’m not sure if you live near a JoAnn Fabric store, but they are holding a whole slue of DIY wedding classes… They looked really fun and like a touch you may want to look into.
Whatever you choose, excellent luck. I’m sure it will be gorgeous whatever you do.