A bit of a do

Good Food Blog

What is RSS?

Posted at 6:02PM, 24 May 2012 by Lily Barclay - Writer, bbcgoodfood.com

Catering for a crowd can feel daunting whether it's a wedding, christening or just a big birthday. But with a bit of forward planning and a helpful friend or two it might be easier than you think. Here are our tips and ideas so you can keep calm and carry on cooking...

Wedding fever

The DIY wedding trend has really taken off in recent years - and it can be a creative, budget-busting way to make your wedding your own. Asking friends to bring along a dish or cake can also be a nice alternative to the traditional wedding list.

The cake

Cutting the cost of a catered wedding cake can be significant, and with a bit of practice and time, making your own wedding cake is easily achievable. We have a wealth of step-by-step wedding cake recipes from the simple elegance cake to the orange berry wedding cake.

Not up for the challenge? Cut out the three tiers altogether and lay on a teatime spread of a variety of traditional cakes and scones. Or even better ask someone else to make if for you...

Wedding favours Making your own wedding favours is a lovely way to add a personal touch to your gift and can be money-saving too. Sugar-dusted wedding cookies, homemade chocolate drops and peppermint lollipops will all look beautiful on the big day.

For more inspiration check out all of our wedding favour recipes

The Christening

A cold buffet spread is ideal for a christening, as guests are likely to arrive in drabs after the ceremony. Keep things simple with a selection of summer sandwiches, creamy tarts and savoury bites. Or surround a showstopper like foil-poached salmon with a variety of colourful salads and breads. Jugs of pink lemonade, pretty raspberry cupcakes and sausage rolls are bound to keep the kids happy too, and that's without mentioning a slice of this beautiful teddy christening cake.

The big gathering

Birthday celebrations are becoming increasingly lavish but that big party doesn't have to break the bank. A bit of forward planning goes a long way. From food quantities to hygiene, equipment to getting and staying ahead, take a look at our tips from the professionals.

Have you thrown a DIY bash? Or are you an expert at catering for a crowd? From DIY weddings to big birthday bashes we'd love to hear your tips...

Comments

lucylovescake

3 June 2012, 10:54AM
lucylovescake

For our wedding this year we are doing just as you said, we're getting friends and family (particulary the ones we know are good at baking) to make us a whole table of cakes. But to top it off we are having a marks and spencers cake decorated by my sister to keep things cheaper and simpler. I think it defiantly helps to give it a personal touch.

Flag as inappropriate

Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Your name: Reason:
lucylovescake

3 June 2012, 10:54AM
lucylovescake

For our wedding this year we are doing just as you said, we're getting friends and family (particulary the ones we know are good at baking) to make us a whole table of cakes. But to top it off we are having a marks and spencers cake decorated by my sister to keep things cheaper and simpler. I think it defiantly helps to give it a personal touch.

Flag as inappropriate

Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Your name: Reason:

Your binder

Here are three other great reasons to sign up:

You get an online binder, where you can store all your favourite recipes and create menus.
You can add your own recipes to this site for others to try; plus, rate and make comments on recipes, and share your views on our blog.
You can sign up for our weekly newsletter (sent out on Wednesdays) - it's packed with recipes, special offers and competitions.