Back yard wedding food???

Pasta is a crowd pleaser so that sounds like a good idea! I'm not familiar with Pasta Pantry, but from experience organizing catering for work functions: if it's a build your own style we usually order a veggie option (or ask for meat to be kept separate from sauces), a red sauce, a white sauce, and 2 kinds of noodles. We usually add caesar salad from Costco.


We had costco squares at our little reception. Mom and I cut them all in half the day before (because they're huge!) and arranged them on trays. People actually thought we got them from our wedding bakery.

If you're going the Costco route, get their BBQ chicken and ribs. Their quinoa salad is a good refresher. I would personally order something from a local restaurant. You can get party platters or individual meals and everyone can choose what they want.

Just make sure whatever you get won't spoil from sitting out in the sun for too long. If you're going the grocery store route and ordering pre-made platters, having chafing dishes with the little burners underneath would be a good idea.