DIY Breakfast Reception Bar

Today I would like to go over how to do a DIY breakfast bar buffet for your wedding receptions.

Breakfast Buffets are less expensive than dinner buffets. You will still need some help to pull this off. You should analyze your help first: you will need one person for every 25 guests at the wedding. Then here are some Menu items you can prepare the day ahead.

What is wonderful about having DIY fruit trays at your wedding is that your imagination is the limit. there are literally hundreds of designs you can choose from pinterest or off the web to design for your wedding. Many people who do not like heavy breakfasts are willing to eat a little fruit. Here are some fuity ideas for your trays. Don't forget to check out Pinterest for Food Art.

Fruit Trays:                                                                                     

Bananas                                                                         

Blackberries                               

Blueberries                                                                                                               

Cherries   

Grapes                                       

Peaches                                               

Strawberries                                  

Melons

Apples

Next to the Alcohol Try: Beef Jerky, Celery, Garlic Stuffed Olives, Peperocini, Radishes, Spicy Bell Pepper Spears (slice into spears and stuff in jar of peperocini juice).

Breakfast Bar:

Pancakes, French toast, Bacon, Link Sausage, Scrambled Eggs, Various Omelets, Various Quiche,

Sides: Various Cheese, avocado, bacon, peppers, ham, mushrooms, onions, salsa, sour cream, spinach, tomatoes, chorizo.

Homemade Syrups and Jams which can be prepared up to a year in advance:

Blackberry, Blueberry, Huckleberry, Strawberry, Apple Butter, Apricot, and 100% Maple.

Best way to save on your wedding!

Wedding Receptions take an average of 48% of your wedding budget. If you are trying to save money, you are thinking of ways to save. Many people think the best way to save money is through DIY flowers, but this can be a horrible mistake. The reason is the types of flowers and how they hold up. If you choose that route, do a lot of research well in advance as you will have to have the flowers ordered at least a month in advance and hope to receive them on time or at all.

According to Best Bride’s 101 and Wedding Ideas Magazine the most popular foods served at weddings in 2014 include local “Comfort” foods. The reason is twofold. You get to personalize your wedding menu a bit and save money. The best way to save money on your wedding is through DIY foods.  I understand serving food for 100-300 people seems daunting but believe me, it is way too easy; especially with these top wedding food ideas on your menu:

1.Kabob’s                                                                                            

2. Finger Sandwiches

3. Soups                                                                                                

4. Mashed Potatoes?! Yup its popular

5. Breakfast                                                                                         

6. Cupcakes and/or Cookies

7. Pasta Dishes                                                                                  

8. ***My own favorite Crockpot style buffet

9. Salmon or Chicken                                                                       

10. Ice Cream

*Light Drinks like Lemonade                                                       

* Fresh Salads or Vegetable Trays

***For the award winning Destination Forest Wedding~~Dutch Oven Buffet~~Cook-off with guests.

Raised in a small town, I had the opportunity to attend several events. The ladies would make phone calls and prepare potluck style meals for large events catering 100-300 people on a regular basis. So with the help of your brides’ maids; your mothers and mother –in-laws this will be a cinch and a memorable bonding moment!

Choose which of the above menu items you will need and get to work. The wonderful part about this is everything can be prepared the day before if needed (and highly suggested).

2 Popular Kabob recipes which can easily be modified for 100-300 people include:

BEEF & ROSEMARY KABOBS

MARINADE:

10 tbsp. minced fresh rosemary
10 tbsp. minced garlic
10 tsp. red pepper flakes
10 tsp. ground black pepper
10 tsp. low-sodium soy sauce
20 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
10 tbsp. water
10 tbsp. olive oil

KABOBS:

20 lb. round tip or eye of round
20 med. zucchini, thickly sliced
40 yellow or sweet red peppers, cut 1 1/2 inch pieces
20 med. onions, cut into wedges
320 cherry tomatoes
40 c. hot cooked brown rice

TO MAKE MARINADE: In large bowl, combine all marinade ingredients and set aside.

TO MAKE KABOBS: Place beef in freezer until partially frozen, 20 minutes. Trim off fat and cut meat into 24 (2 inch) cubes. Add to marinade and toss well to coat. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Two hours before cooking, soak 20 (8 inch) bamboo skewers in water. Drain beef, reserve leftover marinade for later. Thread meat and vegetables on skewers. Broil or grill about 4 inches from heat 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned. Baste with marinade while grilling. Serve over hot rice. Serves 80. 317 calories

SWEET & SOUR SAUSAGE KABOBS

10 can (5 3/4 oz.) pineapple tidbits
2 1/2 c. water
2 1/2 c. vinegar
10 env. (2 oz.) sweet-sour sauce mix
20 tbsp. brown sugar
20 pkgs. (8 oz. each) brown-and-serve link sausages, halved
10 can (1 lb.) whole onions
10 lg. green pepper, seeded and cut into 12 squares

1. Drain pineapple tidbits, reserving syrup and pineapple separately.

2. In a small saucepan, combine pineapple syrup, water, vinegar, sweet-sour sauce mix and brown sugar. Bring to boiling, stirring constantly; lower heat; simmer for 1 minute, or until sauce is thickened and bubbly.

3. Thread sausages, onions, green pepper pieces and pineapple alternately on 60 long skewers; brush with sauce

FOR SOUPS

Have each of your lady friends prepare 2 crock pots/ slow cookers full of different types of soups. Then accompany them with Cheese, cracker, and meat trays which go great with all weddings. Make sure to set the trays next to the alcohol because fats help prevent the alcohol absorption.

Next time we will go over more on those menus.

Wedding Timeline

Some people would say that you only need 9-12 months to plan your wedding, but I disagree. There are three things which you will need at least a year to plan correctly for; Budget, venue, and flowers. If you want a large wedding, you may need more than 12 months to acquire the proper amount of money. Check with family and friends to see if anybody wants to help pay costs. Many parents want to help. Sometimes friends will help with the Bachelor/Bridal Party. After you have chosen the number of people and budget for your wedding, you can set a tentative wedding date.  The second item on your list is booking your venue of choice. Many venues are booked solid the year before so after you have chosen size of wedding, decide on venue and get it booked.  Another thing you may need more than 9 months for planning is what type of flowers you want in your wedding. If you want summer blooming flowers in a winter wedding, expect to pay more. Cakes, attire, and jewelry usually stay the same price. After these three items are taken care of, now you can get into the planning timeline:

9-12 MONTHS:

Announce engagement

Engagement photos

Pick the final date for your wedding

Finalize how the expenses will be shared.

Prepare folder for receipts so you can prevent overspending

Make a list of every person you will invite to your wedding

-divide the list into must and maybe so if you have too many people you have a smaller list to eliminate from

Reserve your reception site if different than ceremony venue

Book your officiant

Book your photographer

Choose color scheme

Get wedding gown/veil

Choose maids of honor and best man (men)

Apply for passport and visa if needed for your honeymoon

6-9 MONTHS:

Send save-the-date cards

Choose flower girl and ring bearer

Reserve Wedding Night Suite

Choose bride maids attire

Book Florist

Book Band/DJ

Book Videographer

Start Planning Honeymoon

4-6 MONTHS:

Start Shopping for each other’s wedding gift

Reserve Rental Items

Finalize your guest list

Order stationary: Invitations, Thank You Cards, Wedding programs, seating cards, RSVP cards

Address Invitation Envelopes

Arrange accommodation for out-of-town guests

Buy shoes/accessories

2-4 MONTHS:

Order Wedding Cake

Prepare Party Favors

Order Wedding Decorations

Book Transportation for wedding day

Marriage License

Order Wedding rings

Prepare before and after wedding activities for guests

Buy gifts for bridal party

Mail invitations

6-8 WEEKS:

Record RVSP on wedding guest sheet

Decide on hairstyle and makeup

Schedule hair, makeup, and nails for your wedding day.

Buy toasting glasses, cake knife, ring pillow, guest book, etc.(Something old, something new, something gold, something blue).

Change, name, address, drivers license, SS card, insurance policies, subscriptions, bank accounts, etc.

Reserve wedding attire for groom, groomsmen, ushers, father of the bride and ring bearer.

Plan rehearsal dinner

Finalize Menu and beverage order.

2-6 WEEKS:

Finalize ceremony details with officiant

Get final fitting of wedding gown and other attire

Finalize rehearsal dinner

Pack for honeymoon

Contact unresponsive guests.

Finish wedding day timeline: give copy to vendors

Check fit of wedding rings

Outline special  wedding photos you want from photographer

Meet with band/DJ and outline music you want played

Decide on ceremony seating and give list to ushers.

Plan your reception room layout and seating arrangement.

FINAL WEEK:

Delegate person to check on payments of DJ/band, officiant, florists, venues, and vendors.

Review Ceremony Seating with usher

Pick up Attire and double check fit

Final guest count to caterer

Timeline with vendors, modify if needed

Confirm honeymoon reservations/ accommodations

Finish packing for honeymoon

THE BIG DAY:

Give groom’s ring to maid of honor

Give bride’s ring to best man

Follow timeline

Relax and enjoy!

Keep Your Marriage Blooming

Hubby works days getting home no earlier than 5:30 pm. Wife works evenings leaving at 2pm and working till 11:00 pm. Because hubby leaves house by 8:00am, he heads to bed about 10:00pm for a decent nights rest; Monday through Friday. Wife works Tuesday through Saturday. This leaves Sunday for the newly-wed couple to spend time together. Even though they live in the same house, they feel worlds apart. Here are some ways to keep your marriage blooming…

Make your common day off a date day. You have been dating for a while so keep on dating. Keep on planning dates together. By now you have a good idea of what each of you likes to do and eat, take turns spoiling the other on date night. Or for double the fun, take the first ½ of Sunday to do what the wife likes (ladies first) and then use the 2^nd half of Sunday to do what the hubby likes. Here are some ideas of ways to spend time together:

Try hosting a party for your friends and family and have a date night jar for them to drop ideas. When you run out of ideas, pull from the jar or use the jar to get started.

***   Walk in the park, hiking, fishing, bike ride, picnic, museum, ice-skating, water-gun fight, swimming/ float in river on inner-tubes, play pool, star gaze, sledding, $5 gift challenge, visit playground, county fair,  volunteer in community, or go to a school play.

RAINY DAYS

1. Watch a Movie together

2. Play board games: Yahtzee, Uno, Phase 10, 10,000

3. Start putting puzzles together

4. Host a game night or scavenger hunt

OTHER GAMES

1. Truth:

*The goal for this game is to learn more about each other.

--Taking turns each person tells 2 truths and one lie about themselves and your honey chooses which is the lie.

2. Name Game:

*The goal for this game is to show and build affection.

-- For each letter of your spouses name, come up with one meaningful and truthful compliment or good thing about your honey.

3. Blind-Miming:

* The goal for this game is to build trust.

-- Take turns blindfolding your honey. Choose a place for an obstacle course and guide your spouse safely through the course.

4. Become One Challenge:

*The goal is to overcome dilemmas either by accepting shortcomings or problem solving.

--Tie your left hand to your honey’s right hand and do something like cook a meal, do a household chore, or complete a project together.