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.
