Hosting a large party - best place to buy food and drink?

[Phunk]

After eloping to New York the Mrs and I are having a party at my parent's house for friends and family for around 40-50 guests inc kids.

I'm currently looking into sourcing food and drink for the party, thinking that we order some platters from M&S and drink from a local wine merchant.

Any tips, tricks or recommendations to those who have organised similar?

Thanks.

[C0ffin D0dger]

Costco is pretty good if you have one nearby and membership.

When we did our wedding we got most of the booze from Calais, not sure if it still works out cheaper these days with the exchange rate being so poor. Majestic Wine can be pretty good as I'm fairly sure they will take back unopened stuff and do free glass loan but it was quite a few year back when I last looked into it so do check.

[romeodelta]

Find someone with a Costco card.

[Stella Tortoise]

C0ffin D0dger said:

Costco is pretty good if you have one nearby and membership.

When we did our wedding we got most of the booze from Calais, not sure if it still works out cheaper these days with the exchange rate being so poor. Majestic Wine can be pretty good as I'm fairly sure they will take back unopened stuff and do free glass loan but it was quite a few year back when I last looked into it so do check.

On the subject of Majestic, their own range of wines called Definition are OK and sometimes on a good offer. If buying in bulk I'd be negotiating a discount.

[mattnovak]

Join the Wine Society for £5 / bottle wine which will be better than most.

Dependant on the style of food you want, look into paella truck, pizza oven, tartiflette, hog roast etc.

Budget?

[Phunk]

Thanks for the replies - will definitely give Costco and Majestic a shout!

Keeping things pretty low budget, so unfortunately outside catering is off the cards!

[boxst]

I can recommend CostCo as well. You need to go to a store, put an order in an go an pick it up on the day. If you think it won't be crazily hot they also do things like sushi platters. Plus you can buy large boxes of nibble type things as well.

[hyphen]

Phunk said:

Keeping things pretty low budget, so unfortunately outside catering is off the cards!

Put your apron on, and start cooking!

[Gandahar]

hyphen said:

Phunk said:

Keeping things pretty low budget, so unfortunately outside catering is off the cards!

Put your apron on, and start cooking!

you can get 200 chicken nuggets from Mcdonalds for about £40 so that will be the kids happy.

Slightly worrying you are using your relations kitchen to do cooking in, which you are not used to.

I get the feeling this might all end in tears.....

On a budget you might be damned if you do and damned if you don't.

If you had eloped to Skegness rather than New York you might have more money to splash out ?

Edited by Gandahar on Saturday 13th July 17:17

[PositronicRay]

We used waitrose, good food and good comms. Wine, beer and soft drinks from supermarket.

[HairyMaclary]

Subway do platters

A mate of mine did this recently and had a hog roast. I mean who doesnt like a hog? (me!), but it saved him the afternoon bbqing and organising food.

Was about £600 iirc.