How to Plan a Wedding Barbecue
Outdoor weddings are becoming popular, especially for summer weddings. So what better way to celebrate with friends after the "I Do's" than to have a barbecue. Barbecue receptions are perfect for a smaller wedding and make for a less formal atmosphere. Planning for a barbecue will be a important part of all the necessary wedding plans. Good planning means that your barbecue reception will go off without a hitch.
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Instructions
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Choose a location for the barbecue. Consider the location of the wedding ceremony and what the distance is to the barbecue.
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Designate someone to run the barbecue grill. This should be someone that will be okay staying busy and not being able to sit and enjoy the reception. It might be helpful to have more than one person working the grill. Consider hiring someone specifically for this job.
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Decide what type of grill you will use: charcoal or propane. Also consider the size of the grill and how much food you will need to be grilling. Be sure to have enough charcoal and an extra propane tank, depending on which type of grill you choose. If you don't own a grill, decide whether you will rent or borrow the grill.
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Prepare a menu. Consider the number of people that will be attending and the ease of the preparation of the food. Choose a meat that is easy to fix and doesn't take a long time to grill, such as a thin cut of steak, chicken cutlets or a barbecued beef brisket that can be cooked ahead of time, then mixed with barbecue sauce and kept warm in a large crockpot. Keep appetizers simple, such as chips and salsa and a vegetable tray. Choose two to three side dishes to keep it simple.
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Do as much food preparation ahead of time as possible. Do as much chopping, slicing and mixing ahead of time as possible. The night before the reception, put together side dishes such as coleslaw and vegetable trays. Marinade meats the night before.
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Decide what type of drinks will be served. Some non-alcoholic ideas include: punch, lemonade, iced tea and/or sodas. Bottled drinks can be kept cold in galvanized tubs filled with ice. If serving alcohol, consider having a champagne punch, sangrias or margaritas. If desired, you could also have a staffed outdoor bar.
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Consider the possibility of bad weather and plan accordingly. Check the weather forecast days before and have canopies available in case of rain or very high temperatures; the canopies will provide needed shade. Have enough canopies to cover the grill/barbecue area and for all the tables and chairs. Also, consider having the guests seated inside, if possible, while the grill area is covered outdoors and the main course still cooked on the barbecue.
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Don't forget to have plenty of helpers available for set up and take down. Have plenty of help for setting out food, drinks and placeware. Enlist the aid of teens to help set up tables, chairs and canopies, along with taking down afterward.
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