My big fat homemade wedding

Weddings are a labor of love — with more emphasis on "love" than "labor."

All the ideas, recipes and gorgeous photos in "Lion House Weddings" (Deseret Book) would tempt any bride-to-be to try them for receptions, showers, breakfasts and dinners. But should you attempt to do it all yourself?

The idea conjures up scary scenarios: Reception guests finding the bride in the kitchen up to her veil in butter cream icing, or a harried mother too busy scooping out chicken salad to enjoy the event.

Many people do make their own refreshments instead of hiring a caterer, said Jennifer Adams, who wrote "Lion House Weddings" using advice, suggestions and recipes of the Lion House Pantry and Joseph Smith Memorial Building restaurants.

The book helps plan any type of wedding, whether catered or do-it-yourself, said David Bench, Lion House Pantry manager.

"Most people could handle it, with the resources in the book and with help," said Bench. "But sometimes it's good to turn it over to a caterer where they can bring in the equipment to do it right. I hate to see a family up all night after the wedding cleaning up and hauling tables off and doing all the dishes."

Utah wedding receptions, especially those involving members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, tend to involve several hundred people invited for appetizers or desserts. Outside Utah, it's more common to see sit-down dinners for fewer guests. But weddings run the gamut from very casual to formal, to whatever the bride and groom and their families want, said Adams.

"There's not just one way to do it, there are a million different approaches, and they're all good. It's a matter of what works for your circumstances," she said.

Budget-wise, if you want to invite 400 people, you probably can't serve them all a three-course dinner. If you haven't had a lot of cooking experience, go to some of the more simple recipes rather than the beef roulade, which would be better at a dinner for the family."

Should you try preparing your own refreshments or hire a professional? We asked opinions from a caterer, a home economist and a mother who has been through it (and lived to tell about it).

"I just know when I do catering, that's just enough stress right there, and if you're doing it for your own wedding, that's one more stress added onto the family," said Londa Davis, a part-time caterer in Kaysville. "You might save money, but it should be a really fun time and not a stressful time."