Mike and I talked a lot about wedding food over the weekend. We know this is potentially one of our biggest costs, so we brainstormed ideas about how to keep costs down. I was talking to my step-mom about it for a minute this weekend, and she kept saying, “Why don’t you have it catered?” Because it’s so expensive! Instead we’re going to plan the food ourselves, buy it ourselves, make some of it ourselves, and call in some favors.
Mom, you make a kick ass pasta salad. What do you say?
Des (step-mom), you know how your tacos are the bomb? Well…
We’re still working on the details, but I started yet another Google Doc today, this one called “Wedding Menu.” It’s broken into main course foods, side dishes, desserts and what I called snacks (other stuff that will be available, including s’mores in case there’s a bon fire at some point!). Then I have a column next to each item titled “Who’s Buying” and one titled “Who’s Bringing” just in case the two aren’t the same.
But you guys, we still have a lot of ideas and nothing actually official. Mike already put out one plea, but I’m trying again. What are some fun/easy/cheap food ideas for a backyard party?
You can’t go wrong with hot dogs on the grill!
Fun/easy/cheap food ideas?
It isn’t the cheapest thing, necessarily, but I love a good assortment of cheese and crackers.
meatballs in some kind of sauce is super easy, prep-ahead, and cheap (I like sweet and sour) – also, crock-pot friendly.
baked pasta – like mostaccoli, is pretty inexpensive, and you can keep it hot in a big roasting pan.
have you looked into a pig roast? Not sure how many people, but they are really yummy (no idea on expensiveness).
Try out realsimple.com – they have a lot of great recipes, tips, and party planning ideas. Maybe you’ll find something useful there : )
good luck!
Do you want me to send you the list we made? 🙂 Buying in bulk helps and prices at like Gordon’s are pretty darn reasonable And brownies. Cheap, easy and delicious.
Erica – Yes please! I’d love to see your list. I sort of helped you make it, at least the original, but my brain doesn’t remember that far back.
Umm..I think this is a job for…Brooke! She is pretty darn awesome at meal planning…maybe you ought to send her the link. She’ll have 10 ideas for you before you know it!
Deli trays are always the cheapest. I suppose that’s why they’re so popular at graduations.
Italian, as Angie suggested, would also be inexpensive and easy — pasta, manicotti, stuffed shells, something like that. So easy!
Pizzas are always a crowd pleaser and certainly inexpensive.
And I love the pig roast idea. I plan to do that or have burgers and hot dogs for my own celebration one day.
You could also look into the make-it-yourself bars. Y’know, a nacho bar or a baked potato bar or a taco bar or whatever.
There are so many fun ideas. Maybe try Googling things like “cheap food graduation party” or something.
I have a fabulous cheese ball recipe should you need it — always popular and super quick and easy.
As for desserts, most of those are easily made in advance, I would assume. You could do pretty cookies or something kind of funky like dipped pretzels, jell-o or popsicles in your wedding colors.
Hahaha Amber I love you!!!! I was going to offer my help with a menu on the cheap.
Shannon give me a couple days, I’ll see if I can come up with something.
My baby brother recently got married on a budget and I was surprised that the item that got the most raves was my daddy’s homemade chicken salad. They served it with crackers and the guests devoured it. You will need to keep it cold but since your wedding will be somewhat informal that shouldnt be much of a problem.
pastas are cheap. you can whip up like four kinds of salad like nothing, for nothing.
i love ghiradelli dark chocolate brownies (the boxed mix) so good, and they taste expensive.
trader joe’s has the best selection of cheese for like a quarter the price of regular or nice grocery stores. . . i know you don’t have one super close but depending on how far it is, it might be worth the trip.
you can also do big jars of mixed nuts from target and put them out in dishes…
the frozen potstickers from trader joe’s are awesome…
i’ll think on this some more.