Staying Sane on their wedding day!

So last week I shared their menu and the schedule. This week I'm sharing how I'm going to stay sane.


Making Ahead Butternut squash soup- Actually really easy to make but I need to make a lot. I'm guessing one batch is good for about 1-2 tables. Can be frozen!
Shredded chicken (Pasta Bar)- We are thinking two good size roaster chickens, I plan on putting them in the crock pot and let it work its magic. The resulting meat will be tender and almost fall off the bone. I can then freeze it and warm it the day of.
All four sauces can be prepped ahead and frozen and warmed up that day. I'm hoping to get big squirt bottles and cut the opening big enough and have them in a water bath. Seems much easier than attempting to have 4 pans and ladles of sauce going.
Stuffed Mushrooms- I can prep these and freeze them already stuffed. Day of I just need to pop them in the oven!
Spinach Balls- Same as the stuffed mushrooms. I believe one of the brides to be is making it, since her late future mother in law taught her how, I just need to pop them in the oven day of.
Mozzarella Bites- Need time to marinate so I can make those on the 11th and just keep them refrigerated.
Cheese and Cracker Tray- This I want to cheat on, you can buy 2 lbs of pre-sliced cheese at BJ's for around $10. So for about $30-40 I can have that completely taken care of, I just need to arrange on a tray!


Day Of Wedding Mini Lasagnas- they need to be made that day, they just taste better freshly made!
Pasta- needs to be cooked that day as well, especially if gluten free!
Vegetables- for the veggie tray and grilling/roasting need to be cut that morning. I might employ wegmans for that part and just cook and serve but I need to talk to the brides first since the cost will be slightly up, but much less of a headache on my part!



I've already requested the 11th off for prep and picking up supplies. Friday I'm loading our car with everything, we and our 14 month old son will need plus coolers of frozen and refrigerated food and all my supplies for cooking/serving. I'm hoping the hotel will let us use their fridge until Saturday morning. I'll probably be at the wedding site for easily 12 hours prepping/cleaning up as well as some partying. I highly doubt I'll get much chance to eat myself. I'm really hoping I can get the 14th completely off. I know for a fact I will not be able to make it in for my 8-4 shift. The wedding is an hour and a half away, too far of a drive after an exhausting day.

Catering VS DIY

My friends are overbudget already and that does not include alcohol or food!!!


Now they think hiring a caterer will be cheaper...
I strongly disagree. When we looked into catering it was easily $2000 if not more. $300 covered the cost of our meal and I was lucky enough that Sparky loaned me her catering supplies for the weekend since her restuarant didn't have any events that weekend.

Our menu was simple but everyone loved it!
Herb Rubbed Pork Tenderloin Baked Ziti Salad Garlic Bread

I would love to cater their wedding with either a full buffet menu or heavy hors d'oeuveres. I can easily do it for $500 or less. Plus even though Sparky passed away it doesn't mean I no longer have connections at Sparky Town. Or that I didn't plan on asking everyone I know for their platters to borrow.



Sadly they are so focused on small simple ideas that they are not seeing the larger picture. Which would save them $1500 easily!

Did you get a professional caterer, or did you or a friend/family member take the DIY route for your wedding?

wedding help

So I've been meaning to post. Just when life should settle down...it gets crazier. Max is about to turn one. And he's finally getting a tooth! Not going to be like his dai, and have to gum his way through his first birthday. He's such a champ at eating, and chewing. I'm sure he's hating the pain, just as much as Krystal is with her chronic tooth pain. Yet, one he can eat a raw carrot that's not been grated I'm sure he'll appreciate his teeth. Good friends of ours also decided to get married. Since we've been there, done that x2 we thought we'd help out. It turned into a week plus of helping with the invites. They turned out pretty awesome if I say so myself and I got to sort of learn and play with inkscape along the way. I also offered to cater since I've been there, did that with wedding #2. I think it'll be fun and much more challenging than our menu. Since they want a cocktail hour and a sit down dinner via buffet. Plus alcohol. I'm trying to figure out a way to make this work. I know I will but I want to give them something amazing while still keeping it frugal. Which for me would nix a lot of the alcohol but it is something they want. So I'm sure I'll start working on a series about their wedding, to hopefully help out others. I haven't really been able to find all the information I've been looking for and would love to help the wedding scene because it doesn't have to be as expensive as everyone thinks it should be.