Help!
Ellen
06/29/11 		I've been asked to do a wedding reception next week for 325 people..60 which are kids 2-10 years old. Here is what I have planned. Please verify for me I have the right amounts.

180 chicken salad sandwiches on croissants
360 dollar roll ham and turkey sandwiches
24 (dry)pounds of pasta salad
60 pounds of coleslaw w/6 qts dressing
500 fruit kabobs (bride choice) consisting of 6 pounds grapes, 12 pineapple, 15 cantaloupes, 3(16 lb) watermelons & 24 lbs strawberries
Vegi trays with 6 pounds each of assorted peppers, grape tomatoes, carrots, & broccoli, and 12 cucumbers sliced.

The reception will be at 7:00 pm and was advertised as hor'dourves.

ellen
06/30/11 		Oh, boy.
As I have discussed often in the wedding dinner article and these threads, at 7 PM you have to put out enough food for dinner, even if it is all bites/ hors d'oeuvres. This is not nearly enough food, especially if it is buffet service.

180 chicken salad sandwiches on croissants- need at least 275
360 dollar roll ham and turkey sandwiches- need at least 400, and I personally would do 500- actually, I would put out deli trays and rolls, add 40 pounds assorted cheeses and fixings. If not, try to get them to add the cheese trays anyway!
24 (dry)pounds of pasta salad- OK, make in two parts, at least 1 kid friendly and one more adult
60 pounds of coleslaw w/6 qts dressing- might need more dressing?
500 fruit kabobs (bride choice) consisting of 6 pounds grapes, 12 pineapple, 15 cantaloupes, 3(16 lb) watermelons & 24 lbs strawberries- need at least 2 per person
Vegi trays with 6 pounds each of assorted peppers, grape tomatoes, carrots, & broccoli, and 12 cucumbers sliced. This is enough for about 120...

With 60 kids, you REALLY need the appetizer or nibble table for the hour between the service and dinner while pictures are being done. You also need about 10 servers/bussers to help set up, serve and clean up...

Have to wish you good luck on this one, you are going to need it.

Ellen
06/30/11 		Thank you for your help. The wedding and reception are at 2 different locations and the guests will be allowed to eat immediately upon arriving so realistically I suppose it would be closer to 6:30. Either way..the kids won't have to wait to eat. I'm thinking I'm going to add chips to the menu as it is an outdoor picnic "feel" reception. The family doesn't have a lot of money which is why I have been asked to coordinate it and I was stupid enough to say yes..even though I have done this type of thing before..just as an assistant though and not for this many people.

Thanks again for the advice! :) I accounted for the cheese and fixings for the sandwiches..just didn't mention it.