DIY Catering 101: How to do it Yourself!

I am a fan of people doing everything for you on your wedding day. People who do your makeup, press your dress, plan your wedding, people who cook your food...man if I could I would have someone put the food in my mouth for me on that day!

But with the cost being so high for everything, alot of couples are forced to get involved more and more in their special day. This includes the preparation of food for the reception. While I am all for the idea of couples and families DIYing the food (I'm doing it) there are some tips that I feel are vital if everything should go successful. Of course as a big mouth I will share:

1. Keep it simple: This isn't the time to try a new recipe unless you are an experienced chef. Simple favorites are always a crowd pleaser.

Some simple foods are:

meatballs in marinara sauce, hamburgers and hot dogs, veggie pizza, lasagna, pasta salad, egg or potato salad etc.

2. Keep it clean: No one should turn blue at your wedding! Cleanliness is vital to successfully DIY wedding menu. Wash your hands before and after touching meat. Prepare meat away from everything else. Be aware of expiration dates on products. Hot foods should be hot and cold foods should be cold so buy equipment like chafting dishes etc. If in doubt, toss it! Also try buying prepackage foods which will help with freshness.

Omaha Steaks, The Vermount Country Store, Harry and Dave, LobsterGram, Burgers Smokehouse, Enstrom's, Rowenas, and other mail order sites are good places to get prepackaged foods of really good quality. Mail order food can be pricey so be savvy, call and ask questions and always look out for discounts!

3. Watch your numbers: When DIY catering your wedding, stick to 100 or less people. Any more and it will become to much of a hassle.

4. Be Prepared: Rent a big gas grill if you are hosting a barbecue wedding. Crock pots and chafting dishes should be available. Don't prepare more food than you can store and prepare food one to two days ahead of time.

5. Always Have Vegetarian Options : As a vegetarian, I get really pissed if I cant eat at a wedding like leaving early kind of pissed. At my wedding I'm having meat because my FI is a meat eater and our families are all meat eaters. I think its very selfish for veggie people or/and meat people to have only one kind of food at parties unless there is a strong belief involved. Some folks have a religious like views on meat and animals. I personally do not (I just believe its healthier not to eat meat and the cloning of animals is wrong) but I have high respect for those who do. Alot of foods are "safe foods" like pasta, pizza, salads, etc. Want an easier way out of the political food maze? Try these yummy brands They are my favorites:

• Amy's- I think having two boxes of vegan pizza is a great way to keep all veggie people happy. Also the Texas burger is awesome!!!
• Alternative Baking Concepts. The best VEGAN cookies EVER! Its good to have an alternate desert available too. http://www.alternativebaking.com/index4.cfm
• Morning Star- meat alternative.
• Sticky Fingers Bakery-I haven't tried it yet but I love the idea of this mail order shop.http://www.stickyfingersbakery.com/index.php

here's a link that has a list of vegan food and clothing products: http://www.vrg.org/links/products.htm#retailer

6. Put out Fancy Appetizers: Appetizers are your friends if you know what you are doing. A finger food platter is great affordable option and easy to find at any supermarket or make at home.

7. Shop in Season: Don't look for coconuts in December or pineapples in January. Shopping in season is a quick way to save money on foods.

8. Shop Organic: Trader Joes, Wholefoods and other organic markets are great places to find fresh foods.The fresher your foods are the better.

9. Go for the visuals: Add variety into the menu. Having a wide assortment makes sure there is something for everyone. Use bright color vegetables and fruits, like carrots, lettuce, blueberries, red peppers etc to garnish dishes. Add elevation to your display by taking sturdy boxes and placing the dish on top.

10. Keep the Bar simple: No one will notice if you don't have a full bar. Have a beer selection, a wine selection, water, and soft drinks or juice. If you really want to be cost effective than have a signature cocktail/drink, water, soft drink.

11. Wow with fancy sauces: Sometimes you can turn something simple like grilled chicken or tofu into something with dazzle just by adding a special sauce. Remember to heat sauces that go onto meat or meat alternatives. Also adding sauce/ preservatives on simple cake slices makes them awesome. Mint chocolate fudge on chocolate cake, anyone?

12. Have Help: No one can do it all by themselves. We all need help. Hire people who have experience with food ( an experienced waiter, a trusted volunteer) to man the buffet lines or help send the food out to the people. They shouldn't be family and they should have a list of guidelines. Food should be already made. Also pay them well.

love ya!