How To Cater A Fabulous Wedding Anniversary Party

If you're planning to cater a fabulous wedding anniversary party, you'll need to know the size of the party.

And your decision will bring sighs of one kind or another -- either sighs of joy or... (gulp) sighs of frustration and horror.

Preparing food for a huge crowd (I define "huge" as 100 or more people) can certainly be pulled off with proper planning and execution. But are you sure you want to throw a party this big?

Too often, people decide they're going to throw a big celebration for the happy couple, and only later realize they've bitten off more than they can chew.

If you can keep the guests below 100 or even below 50, you'll have a much better chance of success.

Regardless, these ideas work for large and small parties.

People enjoy parties where everyone -- hosts and hostesses included -- are having a good time.

This means keeping it simple. This allows you to enjoy your own party, and (trust us) guests will sense when the host(esses) are frazzled and overworked. It can zap all the fun out of a gathering.

Think in threes: divide the food into three areas of focus -- snacks/appetizers, the main meal, and dessert.

Then divide each of these into three -- only three types of snacks, three parts of the main meal, and three desserts.

Sound skimpy? It isn't. Successfully catering a party is all about presentation, and these tips will help you create a party that everyone (including you) will remember with fondness and joy.

What's the use of having good food if it doesn't look pretty (and, of course, taste delicious?)

Seems obvious, right?

But many people will put together a great menu, then lose their focus with presentation. This is a party, after all.

And the food -- how it's presented -- is always part of the decoration.

Even if you are using paper plates and plastic cutlery, don't use paper bowls, or plastic bowls, to serve the food. An attractive table makes all the difference in the world.

The least expensive option is to borrow small glass bowls from various people (usually the adult children of the guests of honor!) -- but neighbors and friends can be enticed to let you borrow their nice bowls.

Attach masking tape to the bottom of each bowl and write the name of the person who owns it. This is the easiest and best way to make sure that all bowls are returned to their rightful owners when the party is over.

Another great idea is to use melamine serveware. These can be found at Target and Walmart. They come in beautiful colors, and add a wonderful festiveness to the party.

Because the details for each of the "three's" described above are extensive, I've put the information into other articles.

Click the links below to get more helpful (and money-saving) information to help you put together a memorable anniversary party!