Potluck wedding reception

j24633

After being ridiculed on the National boards, I figured this was a better question for a local board.  HA!  Be nice; I'm still licking my wounds from the first time around! 

Thanks for your feedback (NOT criticism!  Nothing is in the works; we're just kicking around ideas!).

missmis99

I voted no, but I think it depends on your family and your situation.  I think if you are having a small intimate gathering and it is tradition in your family, then go for it.  However, I the only potluck wedding I have been to was in a farming community in southern Ohio where these types of weddings were tradition.  However, in NE Ohio I don't see them being the norm.  But..with that being said if it is what your family does go for it.  Otherwise, I do not feel that they are appropriate.  I am basing that on the fact that I have never been to one around here and wouldn't expect one.

pickedflower

it's definitely not the norm, but if your family and friends are ok with it, then i'd say go for it! it's your wedding - my only concern would be whether you would expect guests to also bring gifts. just my two cents - good luck!

jaylii9

I definately think this is not the norm in NE Ohio, but would be OK if you are having a small wedding (perhaps 50 people max). I can't see it working for a bigger group.

I also think that you would have to find the right location and feel to the wedding to make this not seem strange. I am also not sure if asking everyone to bring something would work. It seems to me that a group of family members would have to be put in charge of this, but not sure.

Nothing wrong with this idea, but you would have to figure out the logistics and the feel of your day. To me this would be a very relaxed, casual wedding.

Don't let those girls on the national boards get to you. They really can be mean!

swtasa

Well I think that depends on family dynamic but I don't know how I'd feel as a guest being asked to bring food.

However when my mother got married her mom and her aunts cooked all the food for her wedding. Maybe consider doing that instead?

j24633

Oh, my gosh!  You all have been so helpful.  Thank you! I should have come here first.  I really appreciate the feedback.  We were talking about it more this week and we're leaning towards a catered main dish and then close family with the sides and appetizers.  

Thanks again and if between now and September 2011, you experience a pot luck reception, think of me and let me know how it goes!  HA!  

Thanks again!

MargeauxG

My friends had a wonderful potluck reception (in Washington).  I think you can definitely do it right.  They sat the entire wedding at a single table by the ocean.  They served salmon that the bride's dad caught, champaign that the couple bought, and asked certain friends and family to bring a dish as their wedding gift: the bride's sister baked the cake, the family she babysat for made mashed potatoes and someone else made a salad.  It was beautiful and laid back.  They did not ask everyone to bring something though.  My friend knew the people she could count on to deliver great food and who would not be put off by the idea.

It's your wedding.  You can make it work!

Pheonix77

We moved our wedding up a year and I now only have 2 months to pull off a small wedding.  My family suggested I do a potluck because we weren't going to do anything.  I mentioned it to 2 friends and the menu is full and planned.  Of course there are 5 bridesmaid and we are not having a shower or bachelorette party so I don't htink that they mind so much.  We are doing a pasta bar with shicken meatballs alfredo red sauce and sauteed veggies.  A salad and rice and beans and a potato.  We are doing the laid back thing with only 50 people or so.

Lisa<3Pete

I ran into probably the same pack you did on the national boards. Glad they aren't my "friends." Anyway, I live in Dayton and I plan on doing a potluck wedding reception in Sep 2011 (so I won't be able to give you much of a ,if any, heads up on how it goes before your wedding!) As long as you don't expect all your guests to bring something--cuz they won't, even in a small group of 50 and plan accordingly, I think it would work fine. I like the idea of asking specific people to bring specific things. I plan on doing that because I know certain people make certain dishes that I love and then I kinda think they are also more likely to follow through because it was a by-name request and it no doubt makes them feel good that you enjoy their cooking. But that doesn't mean you can't put out a general request to allow other guests to pitch in if they want to. I think it would be best to try to get people to commit to a dish or at least a general idea (side, meat, rolls, etc.) to help keep a balanced "menu" and also try to make sure there is enough food to go around. People turn their noses up at potluck, saying it is tacky and lazy and I guess some potlucks might end up that way but that doesn't mean they all are automatically just because they are potluck.