What to do? caterer skipped town 2 1/2 weeks prior to wedding?

Question

I'm trying not to panic...but I just received word that my caterer just had to leave town "for awhile", 2 1/2 weeks before my wedding!

The caterer was a coworker of my fiance and he was not charging for his services, we were only paying for food. The menu was BBQ chicken/salad/various sides...buffet style (outdoor wedding).

We don't have any money right now to hire someone who will charge us for catering...and it's not an option not to serve food, as our wedding is already pretty casual and we really want to feed our guests....

Any thoughts on what to do?? As a last resort could we do sandwiches and cold finger food that wouldn't need to be heated that day???

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated...Thanks for the help!!

Answer 1

Oh jeeze! How casual is your wedding? you couldn't do a backyard grill out could you? lol. if you cant do that, then just cook the chicken the day before, cut it up, toss it in some lettuce and let everyone go crazy on grilled chicken salad! serve some nice fruits with it and all will be god.

congrats and good luck!

Answer 2

are you getting married at your church?

If so, is there a group of folks who would put together a reception for you with finger sandwiches, cookies, punch, etc.  Ask what sort of donation you can make or if they would like to be paid for their efforts.

Answer 3

cold cuts are defenetly a  great idea...

Answer 4

Contact your local BBQ and buy a large amount of food. Buy disposable chaffing dishes  (at most party supplies stores, walmartt etc) and sterno lights.

Another option is to self cater, you can do pull pork sandwiches, macaroni salad, rolls, etc.

I'm sorry!!! Good luck

Keep us posted

Answer 5

If you were only paying for food, try any store that has the hot deli, like wal-mart they have all sorts of foods http://www.walmart.com/catalog/catalog.g...  or your local grocery store.  You may pay a little more, but not as much as a caterer.  You can have someone pick it up the morning of the wedding, and have it set out by the time all the guests arrive.

Answer 6

POTLUCK TIME

Answer 7

ACK!!  don't panic...although i know you really want to!  do you have a brown's chicken by you?  chicken, pasta, potato salad, etc.  you could save money by picking it up yourself...store it in the fridge for the morning (the chicken and pasta can actually be kept on the counter for a few hours) then heat it later!  plates, napkins, and tableware is included in the price.  many grocery stores will do the same.  perhaps you could find a small local store to plead your case to...bring on the waterworks, take all the pity you can get...maybe it'll work out to be a little cheaper?  best of luck to you!

Answer 8

My first instinct is a grocery store because they could put together a large volume of food at a decent price.

Alternative: You beg your closest family & friends to come over the day before and cook up a storm.

Answer 9

did you sign a contract? If so you could take the caterer to court. If not, I would suggest going to the deli at your local grocery store. At ours, they have about 50 different kind of trays they can make up and they're not too exspensive. And some of them are really fancy.

And to the person who said serving sandwiches is tacky:  I wouldn't be embarrassed to serve sandwiches if it's not too formal. The day is about you getting married and your love for each other, not food.  Sandwiches are better than no food.

Answer 10

Don't do sandwiches!  I just went to a wedding last month where the bride and groom served homemade sandwiches with the crusts cut off, and it was the tackiest thing I ever saw!!!  (Not to mention the sandwiches looked a little...suspect, in terms of cleanliness)  Here's what you do: go to Costco.  Everybody knows at least one person with a Costco membership, so go with that person (unless you have your own membership already) and they have all kinds of great deli platters or hors d'ouvres trays, and they're definitely elegant enough to be served at a casual wedding.  Sorry that happened to you- what a shame!  It will be fine, though- you'll see!

Answer 11

Don't stress. You have lots of time. How many guests?

Put an ad on craigslist right away. Find a local small restaurant that you like and find out what's the most they'd charge.

If the number of guests is reasonable: you can do alot of the cooking between the family and just rent the large platters to serve on. Potato salads, regular salads, order two large platters of meat stews, make one rice dish and two pasta dishes.

Or turn it into a big bbq even and hire bbq caterers... they don't need that much notice usually.

All the best!

Answer 12

Hi Meg,

OK...don't panic.  Better said than done.  If your reception is casual, as you say, then

I think cold platters and salads will be fine!

I had 50 people in my backyard for my son's rehearsal dinner and I did it casual and made up a bunch of salads and had "platters" from the grocery store.  Granted, you have more people coming....but it is basically the same.  Do you have any family to help?  Sisters?  Moms?  Aunts?  What about the groom's side?  Don't forget them!!  I don't know if you want to do a real potluck, but maybe "Aunt Sue" would be willing to bring a cold salad.  What about your family?  For my son's rehearsal dinner, I started 2 days before and made up a variety of salads.  I think I had about 6 salads total (in larger quantities than I normally make).  Then I ordered 2 big meat and cheese trays and a bunch of rolls from the local grocery store.  I set the rolls out in a nice basket and everyone was able to choose their own meats and cheeses.  Put out some mustard and mayo in nice bowls for condiments and you are all set!  You could also put out some veggies and dip and fruit and dip (if you want!)  I also had a big platter of pickles and olives and a big bowl of potato chips.  

Our party was a big hit as most people really like that kind of food.  For some appetizers, I ordered taco dip and chips, spinach dip and rye bread cubes, and veggies and dip.

Again, it is easy to do yourself (with some help if it is available).  Definitely order "party trays" of meats and cheeses.  Don't try to do everything yourself.  ASK for help!  Most family members are willing to help with these kinds of things.  It makes them feel like they are contributing to the wedding.

Look on this site for large quantity recipes:

http://www.razzledazzlerecipes.com/quant...

Answer 13

This is why it is always better to go with a professional, even though you don't get them as cheap, at least they have a contract and an obligation.

It sounds like your only option is to go with the sandwiches.  You will just have to do the best you can.

Sorry and good luck.

Answer 14

rent carcoal grills and do the chicken yourself.  serve potatoe  salad you purchase in 5 lb packages at Sams club.   buy a membership if you do not have one it is worth it.  Also buy 5 lb cole slaw.   Cupcakes for desert.

If you cant grill the chicaken buy them already done at Sam's.

Answer 15

Call up grocery stores or local resturants.  The deli departments of many chain stores can get you chicken pretty cheap...heck sometimes it's even cheaper than buying it fresh and having somebody else cook it.  For instance here you can get chicken at Brookshires for 50c each but the fresh chicken is about $9 per chicken.  Sam's club is also a great resource.

I'd also post notices on Craigs and at local colleges.  You won't be able to get them for free but it'll be cheaper than a regular caterer.

Answer 16

I'd check with a local restaurant to see if they have a cook/chef off duty who would work for an hourly rate.