Help me think this party plan out

[amldaley]

Ok, here's the situation...

Dh's military retirement is in 10 days. MIL will be here. I will have to drive her, and our 2 DD's and DH will drive his Aunt and Uncle on base ar 0800. Ceremony is at 1000. I have to get to the reception room, drop off food & set up tables and chairs, nurse DD2 and get to the ceremony 30 minutes away by 0950. We will return to the reception room at 1100.

We are expecting about 30 people.

I have tried to find a caterer but no one in our area who can do this within budget and that we like soooo...

I am ordering fruit trays and veggie trays from the Commissary (nice, fresh, good value).

Cake from Commissary (better than Costco, cheaper and they do the military artwork etc free)

Costco chicken salad (the Cape Cod stuff....I wish I wasn't going back to being a vegetarian b/c that stuff rocks!)

Vat o' homemade hummus

Lemonade & water. I might see about buying or borrowing a couple of hot pots for coffee?

What else goes in this menu? Rolls or pita? Some sort of side salad? A meat and cheese tray?

I have to think convenience in set up, not doing chaffing dishes, etc. I have to think about what I can handle with MIL and DD's and time frame. The party is also the Friday before Easter and the Marines get off work at 1200, so I am banking on no one really wanting to hang out and eat too long. And my trunk space is very limited.

[SnuggleBuggles]

I would have some other main type option- a sandwich platter from somewhere could work well. A pasta salad would be a nice idea so people who didn't want meat would have something. A cheese tray is always good served with crackers or bread. The Costco spinach dip plus some cut up bread makes for an easy snack. Is there someone- like a teenager in the area (likely to have Good Friday off, btw) that can set up chairs and haul stuff around?

[amldaley]

I would have some other main type option- a sandwich platter from somewhere could work well. A pasta salad would be a nice idea so people who didn't want meat would have something. A cheese tray is always good served with crackers or bread. The Costco spinach dip plus some cut up bread makes for an easy snack. Is there someone- like a teenager in the area (likely to have Good Friday off, btw) that can set up chairs and haul stuff around?

Schools are in session for us that day and a teen would have to have a car and base access. The friends who would help are all going to be at the ceremony...or...hmm...I may know one person who can help. I am always reticent to ask for help but you're right...it would be better.

Fruit, veg, hummus and pita not enough for vegetarians? (it was what I would want but then again I detest pasta salads usually) - maybe a broccoli salad????? Or an Asian noodle salad?

Yeah...cheese...everybody likes cheese :)

[SnuggleBuggles]

Its funny b/c I hate that chicken salad. :) (some funky cheese in there, iirc??) How about a quiche or strata for vegetarians? I think you need something more substantial than appetizers for them.

[hillview]

Cheese plate is a great idea. What about some wine? Is that too early/not allowed?

[amldaley]

Its funny b/c I hate that chicken salad. :) (some funky cheese in there, iirc??) How about a quiche or strata for vegetarians? I think you need something more substantial than appetizers for them.

I'd bet money of the 30 people coming, I am the only vegetarian! But just in case...I can't realistically commit to making anything else myself so would have to buy pre-made... and would those be ok served cold?

[amldaley]

Cheese plate is a great idea. What about some wine? Is that too early/not allowed?

Too early and too complicated...have to get permission...

ETA: on the wine...cheese is allowed... yes, I do think we'll go with that!

[curiousgeorge]

Friday before Easter means that it's still Lent...so some people may not eat the chicken if they are Catholic, right? Fish Fridays?

I'm not so I'm not positive but thought that was the case...might not matter with your crowd but thought I'd throw it out there.

[SnuggleBuggles]

Quiche is fine room temP and easy to make. Whole Foods sells a big one all cooked. Otherwise, use a ready made pie crust.

[Liziz]

Friday before Easter means that it's still Lent...so some people may not eat the chicken if they are Catholic, right? Fish Fridays?

I'm not so I'm not positive but thought that was the case...might not matter with your crowd but thought I'd throw it out there.

Yup, if you have Catholics coming you'll probably have a few less meat-eaters. Your menu is great. I would definitely do cheese and crackers and I think quiche is a great idea. Costco sells frozen ones. You could bake them in advance (night before or whatever), and they can definitely be served either cold or room temp. I was just at a really fancy catered baby shower and the quiches were room temp (and delicious)!

[hillview]

You could go all fancy and get some smoked salmon from costco with the lent/fish thing.
/hillary

[amldaley]

Friday before Easter means that it's still Lent...so some people may not eat the chicken if they are Catholic, right? Fish Fridays?

I'm not so I'm not positive but thought that was the case...might not matter with your crowd but thought I'd throw it out there.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH - How did I miss that. I AM CATHOLIC! (Of course, Lent has gone out the window this year but I figure God can clearly see what we have goin' on right now...)

Hmmm...so...crab salad? My MIL does not eat fish at all, so if she is observing lent....ugh. This is getting complicated. Quiche is sounding better and better.

[amldaley]

You could go all fancy and get some smoked salmon from costco with the lent/fish thing.
/hillary

GREAT IDEA - and MIL will have to just eat fruit and veg and hummus and pita.

[amldaley]

Quiche is fine room temP and easy to make. Whole Foods sells a big one all cooked. Otherwise, use a ready made pie crust.

It is a timing issue. I go back to work that week, so I am working, pumping taking care of a 6 week old baby, and our house goes on the market that week. I just simply won't have time or energy to prepare anything myself other than hummus. I make hummus 2 or 3 times a week as it is, so I am comfortable just making more.

No WF here. BUT....I do think I know of a caterer who could make a few for me...
SO glad they can be served room temp! Thanks!

[amldaley]

Yup, if you have Catholics coming you'll probably have a few less meat-eaters. Your menu is great. I would definitely do cheese and crackers and I think quiche is a great idea. Costco sells frozen ones. You could bake them in advance (night before or whatever), and they can definitely be served either cold or room temp. I was just at a really fancy catered baby shower and the quiches were room temp (and delicious)!

Do you mean the little mini quiches or does Costco (or even Sam's) sell big ready made ones?

[hillview]

You might also be able to find someone to help you out and make deviled eggs?

Good luck!

[TwinFoxes]

I think folks would appreciate rolls or pitas or even crackers to eat with the chicken salad.

Congrats to your DH!

[amldaley]

You might also be able to find someone to help you out and make deviled eggs?

Good luck!

I thought about it (b/c I LOVE them!) but I don't want to brave them with the lack of refridgeration....

[amldaley]

Ok...

The menu now stands at:

Fruit Tray
Veg Tray
Meat and cheese tray
Gluten free multigrain crackers

Hummus and pita

Chicken salad and rolls

Smoked Salmon

Veggie Quiche

Cake

Lemondade
Water
Coffee


I don't feel I need to feed people to the end of time - just a snack or light lunch really. They will all be dispersing within a hour I am sure. We have the room until 10 pm though and it is on the beach....so we are staying the rest of the day.

If they did not have to drive to the reception space, I would just do cake and lemonade and coffee! Hmm...that's not a bad idea....

[SnuggleBuggles]

Ok...

The menu now stands at:

Fruit Tray
Veg Tray
Meat and cheese tray
Gluten free multigrain crackers

Hummus and pita

Chicken salad and rolls

Smoked Salmon

Veggie Quiche

Cake

Lemondade
Water
Coffee


I don't feel I need to feed people to the end of time - just a snack or light lunch really. They will all be dispersing within a hour I am sure. We have the room until 10 pm though and it is on the beach....so we are staying the rest of the day.

If they did not have to drive to the reception space, I would just do cake and lemonade and coffee! Hmm...that's not a bad idea....


Looks really good.

A punch and cake reception would have been a good idea if it didn't start at 11am. That is a "feed me!!" time. :)

I wonder if people really will disperse. If the crowd is fun and I didn't have to go back to work, I could totally see staying on a long time.

GL!

[hillview]

Sounds super yummy! Enjoy!!

[Liziz]

Do you mean the little mini quiches or does Costco (or even Sam's) sell big ready made ones?

Hmmm...you know, I wasn't thinking about it, but I've only bought the mini ones. I know I've seen regular sizes by the same brand, but I don't know if it was at Costco or not! Sorry...but the way your menu stands now I think you're okay w/o them!

[TwinFoxes]

Looks really good.

A punch and cake reception would have been a good idea if it didn't start at 11am. That is a "feed me!!" time. :)

I wonder if people really will disperse. If the crowd is fun and I didn't have to go back to work, I could totally see staying on a long time.

GL!

:yeahthat: I'd stay to eat. :)