The Ultimate Guide for Catering Your Own Wedding

The beauty of a personalized menu is undeniable. It allows couples to showcase their unique personalities through food choices. While the idea of catering your own wedding seems daunting, it’s feasible with proper planning. Discover the ins and outs of self-catering for your big day, including some tips to make your celebration successful.

Is It Cheaper to Cater Your Own Wedding?

A DIY reception menu is a solution if you’re looking for an economical way to feed your guests on your wedding day. According to The Knot, couples pay between $75 and $85 per person for catering. This cost can vary widely depending on your location and considerations.

Catering your own wedding is cheaper consider the following scenarios:

• Team: You need to have a group of people who are willing to cook for you. It could be your family members or friends who love cooking. You can also hire culinary students if you’re looking for economical options.
• Locally sourced ingredients: Incorporating locally sourced products can help you save money. It’s also a way to make your wedding more sustainable since shopping locally lowers your carbon footprint.
• Well-functioning kitchen: You need a spacious kitchen where your staff can cook and prepare the food. 

Questions to Ask Before Self-Catering

Sure, catering to your wedding menu will help you and your partner save a few dollars, but it is not without a few challenges. Before committing to this challenge, ask yourself the following questions: 

• Do you have extra time to oversee the food planning, cooking and preparation?
• Are your family members and friends wholeheartedly committed to the challenge?
• Are you confident your staff can make that much food?
• Are you willing to hire a professional caterer to ensure you follow food handling guidelines to avoid food poisoning?
• Are you willing to purchase other catering equipment, such as trays, plates, serving bowls, utensils flatware, napkins and cups?
• Do you have a supplier for tables, tablecloths and people to staff the serving tables, clean up spills and replenish food?
• Do you have a plan for transporting the food to your reception while keeping it within a safe temperature range?

Factor all these considerations into your decision-making process so you know it’ll be worth it.

Wedding Menu Ideas to Cook 

One of the advantages of catering your wedding includes having the opportunity to include your family’s recipes. You can ask a few great cooks from your family and friends to honor that one recipe everyone loves. However, if you need more ideas than that, consider these easy-to-prep recipes you can pull off without hiring a catering.

Ham & Brie Pastries

These pocket pastries make excellent appetizers for your wedding reception. You need only frozen puff pastry, apricot preserves, sliced deli ham and Brie cheese. Simply unfold the puff pastry and place preserves, ham and cheese in each square before sealing the opposite corners of the pastry. Bake these bite-sized treats for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Add this appetizer idea to your menu for catering your own wedding to surprise your guests.

Bacon and Kimchi Burgers

Are you hosting an outdoor, casual celebration? Have your guests devour this delicious twist on a usual burger. The bacon and kimchi burger merges two juicy beef patties with kimchi and crunchy bacon. It also includes sambal oelek, — an Indonesian chili sauce — and melted cheese. Make it extra by adding more cheese, lettuce or tomatoes. 

You can also replace kimchi with Cheetos or hashbrowns if you’re having kids in your celebration. These creative twists will surely get your guests talking about it for years.

Caprese Skewers

Do you have guests who have dietary restrictions? Caprese skewers will surely satisfy vegetarian attendees. This is a modern take on traditional Caprese salad, which is usually served on plates. You just have to drizzle grape tomatoes, cubed mozzarella cheese and basil leaves with extra virgin coconut oil before skewering them on toothpicks. 

You can let your guests create their own skewers by offering the ingredients in a bowl. Create a salad bar in your reception and let the attendees choose their preferred ingredients.

Tips for Catering Your Own Wedding

Here’s what you must include to ensure preparation goes smoothly in your planning.

1. Plan a Food and Drink Menu

Include crowd-pleasing options and other meals that cater to people with dietary restrictions. Opt for recipes that are easy to create and not too time-consuming. More importantly, you should be confident you can pull it off with your family and friends. As you plan the menu, list the equipment each dish and drink will require.

2. Cook Two Days Before the Celebration

Make sure you have ample time to prepare all the food. Ensure everyone is aware of their tasks to avoid delays. Think about what temperature each dish needs to be served well. This is where the guidance of a professional caterer may come in handy, so make sure to consult one.

3. Hire Servers

This will cost you money, but it’s worth the peace of mind. It’s only proper to outsource your staff to serve and clean food instead of assigning your family and friends. All couples want their relatives to join in the fun of the celebration — allow your loved ones to enjoy your party, too.

4. Buy in Bulk

Purchasing wholesale is vital for staying within your budget. When purchasing disposables, dinnerware and utensils, look for suppliers who sell in bulk. This can help you save a lot of money, which means you have more money to spend on your dream wedding dress.

5. Ask for Help

Catering your own wedding shouldn’t be a solo flight. Food is just one of the many things you should prepare for when planning your wedding. Remember that there are people you can rely on. Think of your partner, family, close friends and relatives who are willing to extend help if needed.

Create a Feast to Remember

Self-catering is a labor of love that sets a foundation of wonderful memories. With a thorough plan, you and your future spouse can create a personalized menu that reflects your unique taste. Aside from perfecting your menu, don’t forget to invest in safe food handling techniques to protect your guests from illnesses.