Comments on: Is a potluck wedding tacky?

By: Angie Martin

Angie Martin — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:22:11 +0000

I had an absolutely no frills wedding reception in a bar. I really wanted to do a potluck, and it sounds like in your situation, it's the best option. Either that, or go to a restaurant. I know too many brides who serve cake & punch made by a catering company because that's all they can afford. I had people coming from miles away who were going to need to eat. In the end, my mother in law caught a whiff of the potluck idea and shot it down. I conceded, but only because she agreed to pay for the catering as a present to us. Otherwise, it would have been potluck!

By: Mareeyah

Mareeyah — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:52:21 +0000

I've actually experienced donating a dish to a potluck wedding… I didn't find it tacky nor was I offended by it. The background story? There was this couple who have lived together for a few years, because they were so poor and couldn't afford to celebrate a wedding at all. But they were reactivated by the church and been encouraged to get married to make things right, so they worked out the legal requirements, but still couldn't afford a reception. Friends wanted to make their wedding feel like a really special occasion, so we agreed to contribute a dish each. There were just 25 guests, but it was fun and memorable and there was even lots of leftover foods afterward.

By: Katie

Katie — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:53:59 +0000

My parents got married for about $200 back in 1979. Their invitation was handwritten in sharpie then photocopied and read "bring a covered dish and an instrument, potluck and jam session to follow the ceremony". My mom says their friends STILL talk about how much fun they had at the wedding.

I think a potluck is a find idea, especially (as Ariel mentioned) if your family likes to cook and share meals.

By: Cassandra

Cassandra — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 00:55:39 +0000

Where can you have a potluck wedding? My fiance is an alien and because of his visa I'll only have a month or two notice before our wedding. I expect it will be cold, windy and raining on the day of my event (San Diego winter). We'll have no more than 50 guests. Many venues require you to have a licensed caterer, and 50 people is too many for an in-home celebration. Suggestions?

By: EasyBreezyBrideToBe

EasyBreezyBrideToBe — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 10:25:14 +0000

I was just about to email invitations to family and a few close friends for our wedding which is being held at a family summer residence and thought I should google wedding potlucks to see what others thought about the concept. We are planning on a potluck dinner, voluntary of course and of course considered as their gift to us. We are not doing a potluck because of budget but because of all the weddings we have gone to that were catered and the food was less than acceptable and a lot of money was spent on it….not pretty. I have also watched several of those wedding planner shows…OMG….can't believe people put themselves through so much stress…spending thousands they can't afford!!! That money could be best spent on a down payment for a house or education for their children. Seriously…people gather to help celebrate your love for each other…a potluck is a fabulous idea and takes a lot of stress away from the bride and groom…for whatever reason they choose to do it. Millions of dollars are spent annually on weddings and couples are getting ripped off big time. What is a wedding really about….sharing your commitment and love with family and close friends. Planning a potluck wedding is not tacky if presented in the proper way. I say go for it…the food is always good!!!

By: suzy

suzy — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 23:29:25 +0000

im doing potluck for our wedding,ive bought soda and punch will make like a sandwhich platter with ham and cheese and turkey and cheese and maybe some pb&j,then a tray with dill & sweet pickles and maybe some olives,then a tray with maybe onion,tomato slices and maybe slices of extra cheese.and maybe veggie tray.then i was going to ask local guest to help with potluck which most of them suggested to do anyway.but my wedding will be cosidered way up there on tacky charts.ive bought invitations,some decoration,and all plates and silverware from dollar and 99 cent store.place we rented you have to pay for wedding side(gazebo) and or reception side sepeate or together so we save 250 by renting reception side and doing it in grass on that side.my dress is white on top and black on bottom(like church dress) hes wearing black slacks,white long sleeve shirt my dads(rip) black leather vest and a sude black hat that has lil harley emblems on it that was his brothers(rip)then his dads(rip).oh and did i mention its on halloween ,guest can dress up,wedding party can change after pics are taken.also i bought theses things from peerpetual kid there heas that go on ketchup and mustard bottles .one looks like throwing up and other looks like snot coming out of nose,lol

By: Miss Tish

Miss Tish — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 04:38:26 +0000

This is PERFECT! Who doesn't love a barbecue??? Another option could be marinated chicken or kabobs – I actually make kabobs with pre-made meatballs and veggies and EVERYONE loves them!!!! It's fun and casual and you know the men will love it too!

By: Miss Tish

Miss Tish — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 04:23:47 +0000

Sooooo cool!!!!! That's a GREAT idea and if someone wanted to take that project on then it could be a sweet gift to the new couple!

By: Miss Tish

Miss Tish — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 04:21:04 +0000

What an excellent point – potluck parties have built in portion controls! Love that!

By: Miss Tish

Miss Tish — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 04:16:28 +0000

This is an EXCELLENT thread!!! I love how everyone pitches in for a wedding!

I love the idea of coordinating the containers and labeling the food. And I definitely love the idea of a rounded out meal – I have been to an all dessert wedding but it was much too sweet for me (and the other guests I was chatting with) – by the end of it we were soooo hopped up on sugar and NOT in a good way…. I wanted a cheeseburger as soon as I left! ha ha

I wish I knew how many people you were having at your wedding. We catered a party from a supermarket (Safeway) and it was $350 and we had enough food for about 75 people. They don't need a lot of time to prepare and I was very impressed with how the food turned out. We got chicken trays (strips, wings, & dip), sandwich trays, a veggie tray and a fruit/cheese tray. You could easily add fillers like rolls, crackers, and caesar salad – plus cake of course! Just some random suggestions – I think all of America is on a budget!

Best wishes for your special day and thank your fiance for his service to our country!