£5 a head wedding buffet - Is it possible?!

Remba79

Hello everyone!

I'm new & I'm planning a wedding garden party in August this year on a very small budget and a tight time scale - I know I'm not the only one!

For the party I have a total £2500 budget with just over £1000 going on the marquee and I'm expecting potentially 100 guests, with 10 kids or so.

I dont want to scrimp on the quality of the food and I certainly don't want to buy anything pre made/cooked from any supermarket! I would rather everything was healthy, fresh, homemade and locally sourced as much as possible.

My budget is £500 working at roughly £5 per head.

Is this completely unrealistic?

There doesn't need to be an endless choice of food and it won't be available all night. Will serve at 6pm with nuts / crisps dotted around amongst other canapes before and after.

I guess a big vat of chilli and a veg curry with rice. Salads, pastas.
Sweet things.. Maybe even a hog roast - this might be economical ?? But does everyone like a hog roast??

Also, Im interested in food items that won't require a plate / bowl! Eg, a mini toad in the hole pudding which the guest can eat entirely - no waste or mess!

If anyone has any advice about planning such a large buffet on a small budget of £500 than I would LOVE to hear from you!!

Thanks

xJayJayx

Costco cards come in handy!
If you know anyone with one or a Macro card?? this could come in very handy for bulk food buys!
Nuts and crisps can be just the cheapy ones though, no one needs walkers crisps if they're gonna be in a bowl now? and even value nuts, they sell the big kilo bags for a couple of quid.

nearlyrich

Aldi are also good for snacky bits without breaking the bank, don't bother with a sweet course and have a few choices of sandwiches, I have done several buffets for 120 for a lot less than £5 per head and always had food left.

Asda and Tesco and I am sure other supermarkets do things like value tuna and you don't have to go for top brands of everything.. Are you doing your own catering? I did for my first wedding.

Remba79

Thanks for messages!
I'll def look at both costco and Aldi to buy ingredients.
Looking to do as much catering ourselves as we can, so need ideas for food we can make the day before and store overnight.
Any deas for canapes and delicious dishes to feed 100 welcome!

flea72

if doing a cold buffet, then you should be able to find caterers that can provide a decent buffet for £5 a head

Also if going for finger food that doesnt need a plate, then you are going to need people to carry it around the room on trays, as otherwise you need a table that is big enough for everyone to stand around, and just pick and eat. but as a guest i wouldnt feel comfortable standing at a table, grazing

Again with hot food, who is going to be in charge of dishing it out, and making sure its hot on the day. The people you normally would ask to help out in the these situations is close family/friends, but they are gonna be dressed up to the nines, and not really in the mood, for lugging vats of chilli around, or standing in a kitchen washing up (been there done that at a wedding, and tbh its taking the p!ss)

in all honesty you wont want to be thinking about making food the day before your wedding, and also sorting out the food on the actual day, ie who takes it to the venue, puts it out, cleans away plates, etc. as there is so much other stuff already going on

yes, if it was a small do, with only a handfull of people, but youre talking feeding 100 people, and thats quite a bit of work

Flea

alfiesmum

I can definitely second the Costco idea! One trip, does the lot. They've pizzas in their own trays, fine eaten hot or cold. And some delicious platters ready made (seafood, meats), a little more expensive but worth it. And their celebration cakes are stunning visually, incredibly reasoably priced, and taste gorgeous too! Huge chocolate fudge cake, carrot cake, would look amazing on a buffet spread.

mshelsbels

Have a look at this thread where they had picnic baskets, then pizzas for the evening.
Might give you some ideas - or 'food for thought'....(haw haw - sorry about the pun!!)

Hels xx

roxalana

£5 per head is definitely possible if you diy - we catered for 40 people for £55 including cakes (don't have costco card) but it is a lot of work and you have to make sure the hot food stays hot and the cold food stays cold. I don't think I could have managed to cater for more people without enlisting the help of several friends with their frudges, freezers and ovens!

You might be able to find an independent caterer who could supplement the food you are making to take the strain off abit?