What Have I Done???!!!

[suki]

Okay, my hubby's brother is getting married Friday night. THIS Friday night.

Months ago I agreed to make the wedding cake. My future sis-in-law asked if I would bake it at her mom's house so they could help. So, yesterday I'm over there and we're baking the layers... it's fun girl time.

As we're talking she mentions about the rehearsal and other such stuff. I volunteer myself and my girls to help decorate the church.

A few months ago when I was helping her plan, she insisted they weren't going to have much of a rehearsal and there wouldn't be a rehearsal dinner. I never questioned it further.

My hubby's parents are being rather ugly about the whole wedding because they don't like future sis-in-law. So, I think that's why sis-in-law didn't want a rehearsal dinner.

This morning hubby and I are talking about everything and I have the bright idea to host a rehearsal dinner here for everyone. I'm thinking, eh it'll be small because they weren't expecting anyone really to be at rehearsal.

So, hubby calls bro and they talk. Bro and future sis-in-law are happy and pleased. Then, I ask for a head count... OH, just 25 - 30!

AAAAAACCCCCKKKKKKK!

So, first order of business... where to seat everyone. We called on renting tables and chairs and that'll blow the budget for what we want to do. Hubby is trying to round up plywood and saw horses (I'll cover with cloth and make it pretty) and we might rent the chairs only. (Tables are $15 each, chairs $1 each to rent) We're looking in to other options... maybe borrowing from hubby's parents' church.

Then, second order of business... the menu. We're thawing a turkey we've had in the freezer and will fry it. I'll check sales fliers in the paper tomorrow to see what else I can pick up. I'll also make the most of our harvest and serve green beans, cucumbers and such for side dishes. For dessert... the most likely candidate is blackberry cobbler. However, this is where it gets a little tricky. Hubby will invite his parents (in spite of how ugly they've behaved) and I suggested that IF they want to be involved they certainly can and to whatever extent they desire. BUT, they must tell me what they are doing so I can plan (they are awful about saying they'll bring a salad and showing up with a big box full of food... a salad, some beans, some extra rolls, and a pie... when I have family potlucks).

Final order of business... making it look nice. Hubby has sunflowers blooming and they are the pretty ones in a variety of colors. I was thinking sunflowers and candlelight... we have to do this outside because I can't fit 25 - 30 people in my living room/dining room area comfortably.

I have TWO DAYS to pull this together. Suggestions? Tips? Sanity Check!

[Russ]

lots of liquor. kidding of course.

ASK FOR HELP!!! Don't be afraid to call in some favors or owe somebody a few in return.

[Moor]

first order of business.
stop.
breathe.
then breathe again!

sit down and make a list of what you have on hand that you can use. do you have straw bales? hay bales? if so, use them for seating, since you are having it outside.
do you have any tiki torches? if so, use them. they will help with the lighting AND with mosquitos and such.
do you have any christmas lights handy? if so, string them up, they can provide some lighting.
if you have some flat sheets, these can be used as bale covers, table covers and such.
do not break the bank trying to feed these people. try and use as much as you have on hand that you can.

[TheRootedNomad]

Actually Suki it sounds like you have it well in hand. My hats off to you for the fast thinking. I also like Moor's idea of the hay bales as seating.

My suggestion: I wouldn't worry about making all the table covers "match" either if you are going to be using different color Sunflowers why not different color table covers. Use whatever you have on hand and just tie it together with the same color napkins.

Suggestion two: I wouldn't worry about icking up too much at the store either your menu already sounds almost put together.
Something like:
~fried turkey
~cooked green beans (and or green bean salad)
~cucumber and tomatoe (or onion, or onion and tomatoe) salad
~mashed potatoes, new potatoes, whatever is in the house
~rolls or bread if you can make it
~cobbler
~bowl of fresh beeries for the health consious

If someone is bringing something suggest to bread or potatoe type dish. I think I heard you mention something about apples in a post as well. Fry 'em up as another side or as a crisp as a second dessert.

I'm sure it will be lovely!

(Oh, and BTW I tend to open my big mouth like that frequently as well. The "Oh crap" moment is actually the worst of it. Once your moving it all comes together)

[FrugalMomof3]

Nothing to add just a good luck!

[Momto2Boyz]

I agree with the rooted nomad...it actually sounds like you have the whole thing pretty well under control.

Can you guys be outside at all? You could call in favors and borrow picnic tables & patio tables from neighbors and friends. Or if you belong to a church they might loan you tables...or if you SIL or BIL have a church they might loan you the tables & chairs too.

Just think outside the box and try to be creative and you'll pull it off! Good luck!

[zakity]

Good luck!

[suki]

Thanks!

I've been out in the garden seeing what I can harvest and picking what I need to today.

It looks like green beans, cucumbers and some corn will be ready. If we have some tomatoes it won't be very many but we could have a few cut up for folks... they're all the heirlooms so it would be pretty to do a medley.

I think we'll be able to do this for very little expense. I already have quite a bit on hand thanks to my stockpile and the garden. We do a lot of cookouts so I always have paper plates and such on hand.

Hubby has a ton of mint in the garden and we thought maybe making some pictures of mint juleps? I've never actually had them so maybe I need to sample them before we go much further!

I love the straw bale idea and we actually have several bales on hand. If we bought more, it's fine we need it for the chicken house, etc. So, that's a great idea. Flat sheets for table clothes too... I can do that! Seating everyone was our biggest concern and I think we'll be able to work with some of these ideas.

Thanks for the tips!

[suki]

Okay, now I have another question on food prep...

I have to be at the church to decorate and such in the afternoon. In the morning, I'll be decorating the wedding cake. So, what on my list can I prep ahead and make my life easier?

[Moor]

everything!
make everything the day before. then you will just have to warm things up, use the grill for that.
also, if you have cold things that you are going to make, then they will taste better, as they will have had a chance to sit and stew. know what i mean?

[alarosalpn]

Wow! I love the ideas! I don't have any advice but would love to know how it turns out! Good luck Suki! She's lucky to have a SIL like you!

[suki]

everything!
make everything the day before. then you will just have to warm things up, use the grill for that.
also, if you have cold things that you are going to make, then they will taste better, as they will have had a chance to sit and stew. know what i mean?

Okay... I was thinking I don't want to over-cook the fresh veggies. But, I'm following you...

This is going to be fun!

[suki]

Awww.... thanks, everyone!

Hubby is excited about the straw bales he was wanting to buy some more anyway and now he has an excuse!

I'll try to post some pics.

I'm still open to ideas though!

[Moor]

on the mint julieps, those will be great!
make a batch today to taste them. lol while you are planning.

[suki]

Since I don't know a picture from a pitcher today... maybe I don't need those mint juleps after all!!!

I found some mint tea punch recipes too for those who don't want alcohol.