Why would anyone in their right mind consider catering their own wedding reception? Considering the skyrocketing costs of wedding receptions, the proper question should really be, how could you not consider this alternative? Cater Your Own Wedding has helped thousands of brides, couples, and families take the guesswork out of planning, preparing, and putting on the reception, but now it does even more. In this revised edition, it also tackles the much-overlooked, often-dreaded rehearsal dinner, transforming it from a please-don't-make-me-go affair to a can't-miss event. Packed into an all-new chapter, you'll find tips on throwing a rehearsal shindig that's big on fun and light on stress. It holds your hand every step of the way, so even if you've never organized anything grander than a family cookout, you can do this! This delightful how-to book provides all the professional catering help a bride will need and all the cost-cutting tips that make affordable elegance a reality. Taking all the guesswork out of the process of planning, preparing, and putting on a reception, Cater Your Own Wedding enables even the most inexperienced host to throw a memorable party with no stress. The book outlines six different types of receptions to suit different needs, complete with mouthwatering, original menus, and detailed, easy-to-follow recipes. Cater Your Own Wedding also includes tips on everything from shopping to sanitation concerns, decorating ideas and allocation of tasks, step-by-step instructions, checklists, timelines, and diagrams to ensure that everything runs like clockwork, even if you've never done anything like this before. Book jacket.