One good reason to hire a caterer.

Or 200 little reasons why a caterer is your best option.

I was catering a big wedding at a mansion in Maryland. We were the second half of the crew sent to service the guests. The tables were all placed and the linens and skirts all secured. We were tasked with setting each of the tables with an array of items for the dinner. I was given the duty of setting up the coffee station. It consisted of 4 silver urns 220 spoons to be fanned out, and 220 cups and saucers which were to comprise two pyramids at each end of the table. My display was perfect, symetric and ready for service. Unfortunately the person who setup the table, neglected to lock one end's legs in place. When the guests entered the room, which was an atiquity in itself, the vibrations were just enough to cause the legs of the table to collapse.

I thought the shattering would never end. I stood by the SNAFU, while guest after guest snapped pictures of me and my pile of coffee service.

Fortunately it was more entertaining than disasterous. Costly though, as many of the cups and saucers broke in the fall. The caterer had to absorb that cost without any additional cost to the hosts.