Recipe(tried): Wedding reception party plan

I found a book called Cater Your Own Wedding by Michael Flowers and Donna Bankhead that is a great guide to help you cater your own wedding. It has many helpful ideas and outlines several types of receptions with easy menus. I catered for years and would suggest this book a must read to anyone planning to cater their own wedding.

My son is getting married Aug. 5th and I plan to prepare all the food for the reception. The couple wanted a very simple menu. They want some simple finger foods waiting for the guest as they arrive at the reception. A cheese display with cubed cheeses, cheeseballs, fresh grapes with assorted crackers. Fresh vegetables in baskets for dipping, vegetable pinwheels and a hot ham and cheese dip in bread bowls and maybe shrimp cocktail if budget allows.

Once the couple arrive at the reception they plan to serve country ham on biscuits (we are from the south), chicken salad on crosants, cocktail meatballs, a family potato salad recipe, a layered salad, a fruit salad, deviled eggs (a must have at any southern event). We may add a pasta salad and another vegetable salad once we have a better idea of how many guest rsvp to attend.

I have several tried and true make ahead recipes that I would be happy to send you if you like. I have a cocktail meatball recipe that uses premade meatballs and is the most requested item on my catering menu. My top five recipes are for a pineapple cheeseball, a savory fiesta cheesecake, our homemade chicken salad, our pinwheels/wraps and a hot bread bowl dip.

I started to cater for family and friends when I learned how much our local caters were charging for their services. I knew I could offer better quality at a cheaper price. I wanted every girl to be able to have the wedding of her dreams no matter what her budget. I no longer cater for people outside of family due to health reason so I just offer recipes and advice. I would be very happy to help you any way I can.