For my wedding, we did the catering ourselves. Everyone chipped in which helped enormously. It also took the pressure off and provided a better range of food.

In this article, I look at simple meal plans for wedding buffets. Be sure to read my tips and advice for DIY wedding catering.

All the recipes below can be found here.

First of all, a word on quantities.

When you’re preparing buffet food for large numbers of people, you don’t need to upscale every recipe to feed the number you invite. Guests will have a little of everything, usually only a tablespoon or serving of each dish. For example, if you have a salad that serves 25 guests, you only need 3 or 4 more different salads to serve 100. You don’t need to provide 3 different salads, all at 4 times the quantity.You’ll end up with too much food! And don’t forget, not everyone will have every dish.

In terms of numbers, 50 people is quite do-able. Any more than that and you’ll need lots more space, time and help from friends and relatives.

I used Good Housekeeping's Cookery Book, 1985 to help me. It was indispensible and many of the recipes below are taken from this book.

There's a whole section on catering for large numbers, lots of recipes and details of how to scale up. It's still in print and easy to get hold of. It's a must for any kitchen.



Menu suggestions for 50 guests

- Large cold poached salmon x 2 (to be done the day before)
- Meat platter (40 slices each of ham and beef)
- Large quiche x 2 (can be bought pre-made)
- Green salad (pre-made bagged salad is fine, use 5 large bags)
- Three bean salad
- Pasta salad
- Brown rice salad
- Tomato and cucumber salad
- Coleslaw (4 litres - can be bought)
- Bread and butter (4 french sticks and 500g butter)
- Whole ripe brie
- Stilton or other blue cheese (1kg)
- Crackers (3 packets)
- Strawberries and cream (3.5kg strawberries and 3pts cream)
- French Dressing


Alternative salad recipes

- Oriental salad
- Fennel and radicchio salad
- Warm potato salad


Alternative cheap wedding desserts

• Serve the bottom tier of wedding cake (alternatively, this can be saved for supper later in the evening)
• Meringues nests which are easy to make or buy them ready-made
• Ice-cream (5kg will serve 50)

I hope you enjoy these easy wedding food recipes.

Related articles:
DIY Wedding Catering – Hints and Tips
Tips For Cutting Your Wedding Catering Costs
Got A Wedding Catering Question You Need Answering?
Cheap Wedding Reception Menu Ideas






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