Anyone considering a potluck reception? ideas?

mjoslin1990 · August 2010

My fiance and I are younger college students with a baby on the way. The guest list is reletively small with only 120-140 people (mainly family).

We were considering fruit/veggie trays, maybe pasta, salad, things like that. But planning on doing it all ourselves and having family help.

Yays and Nays to the idea? What about other menu items?

king26 · August 2010

We did this for my cousin's wedding of about 100 people. They needed the help and everyone pitched in. However, make sure people want to help and you don't make it mandatory. See if people are willing to help. We had everyone make either a 5 pound salad (pasta, potato, greens, etc), or appetizers, and the bride and groom bought fried chicken at Wal-Mart (it was AWESOME!). You could also buy veggie and fruit trays at Sam's CLub for cheap, or have people make those. Big trays of pasta are easy to make and cheap. Totally do-able if you have a family willing to help and someone to help set up (my mom and a relative of the brides helped to set everything up after the wedding).
Good luck!

Lisa8888 · August 2010

120 -140 people is a lot of guests. You are suppose to feed your guests. Your guests are not suppose to supply the food for your wedding. If you can't afford to properly feed your guests, don't invite all those guests. It is incredibly rude and tacky to ask your guests to bring food.

kaesha · August 2010

Personally, I don't love potluck receptions. A reception is a way for you to thank people for being in your lives, and when you ask them to provide the food, it's not really you thanking them, is it? Personally, I think 120 people is actually a pretty sizeable wedding - not small at all. If you're dead set about doing this, I'd really emphasize that you don't want gifts - that providing food IS the gift that your guests could give you. Otherwise, that screams tacky and poor hosting to me.

If you can't afford a full reception, why not do cake and champagne (or punch)?

dittmerbullard2010 · August 2010

I agree that potluck receptions are not a great idea. Instead, you might choose to do cake and punch, not a full dinner menu.

tldh · August 2010

I would just do a cake and punch reception. I just think pot lucks are a bad idea all the way around. Not only are you asking guests to work your wedding, you are exposing yourself and them to liability claims if anything happens like food poisoning - and don't say that none of your guests would ever sue. You'd be surprised who will sue whom and over what.

(and if you think 120-140 is small, my guest list of 50 must seem miniscule to you).

mysticl · August 2010

It looks like you want to do the majority of the work yourself or at least you and close family. That may be more than you can handle with the wedding. If you want to do simple things like deli, fruit, and veggie trays you can get them at a grocery store for not too crazy of a price.

TurtlesAllTheWayDown · August 2010

I'm with PPs. I'd have the wedding at a non-meal time and do cake and punch.

With a potluck, you need to worry about assigning dishes so people don't bring duplicates. You need to make sure there's enough food for people. You have to rent chaffing dishes to keep things hot or cold. You have to set it up, serve and break it down.

What about OOT guests who don't have ready access to a kitchen before the wedding?

What about guests with dietary restrictions? As a vegetarian, I can have FI sample certain things for me, but I wouldn't know if someone used chicken stock in the mashed potatoes or not.

Plus, the reception is where you receive your guests and thank them for sharing your day and supporting your marriage. So in general, a pot luck reception isn't exactly hosting them or doing them any favors.

I've also heard of people getting BBQ places to cater for as little as $9/ person.

I also agree that your wedding isn't small. Another option is to JOP and just invite immediate family out to dinner on your dime.

vsgal · August 2010

What are you going to do about food quality? I mean you are throwing out the whole hot food stays hot and cold food stays cold. I wouldn't eat anything at the wedding for fear of getting food poisoning because the mayo based pasta salad has been sitting in someone's car for the half hour drive to the wedding and in their car for an additional 40 minutes for your ceremony and an additional hour at the venue while you take pictures and another hour after you come into the reception and before we eat. I personally would not want to take responsibility for the after effects of the jello mold that has been sitting in room temp and hot cars.

Also, what are you going to do about the dishes? Now I am forced to stay until the end of the reception to get my dish back. What are you going to do when someone calls you or pulls you aside at the end of the night and tells you that their grandmother's casserole dish has mysteriously disappeared?

Are you going to be ok with having a mish mash of serving pieces? You will have fancy dishes and plastic tupperware and local grocery store containers. Are you going to have extra serving utensils to serve. Who is going to clean everything up? Who is going to put everything out. I can tell you at my wedding, people did not have time to set things up. They were socializing and having fun. I can't imagine asking a friend or family to put out the food. What are you going to do when someone drops the spaghetti on their pretty dress as they are putting it on the table.

What are you going to do if you have 50 cheese and fruit plates? Trust me--this will happen.

Your reception's purpose is to receive your guests and thank them for sharing your wedding day with you. How is making them cook thanking them? Your wedding is in May of 2011. You have time to plan the reception food. Make sure you watch your timing. If the reception falls into a meal-time, you will need to provide something of sustenance, not just desserts. 120 is not small. The best way to save money is to cut the guest list.

Kris092988 · August 2010

I think it's a good idea, especially if your stretched for cash. And about hot food staying hot and cold food staying cold, even walmart sells the trays with the burners under them to keep food warm. They're in the part section and relatively cheap, and reusable. I think it's nice, especially when it's just a small family wedding. I'm sure your family would understand and love to help you out. You could make it fun by having every one bring a cute recipe of whatever they brought, to build your cookbook, and so everyone knows whats in the foods in case of allergies. I wanted to just have a small wedding with close family, but the fiance is Italian, no such thing as small anything, haha. But good luck! And if it makes you feel better, I'm watching The Nanny and they are having a potluck debutant brunch

vsgal · August 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_food-cakes_anyone-considering-potluck-reception-ideas?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:23Discussion:a393163c-0086-42ec-a24e-022a292f59f4Post:ebf2f132-8f92-4600-af0d-94b148d33415">Re: Anyone considering a potluck reception? ideas?</a>:
[QUOTE]<strong>I think it's a good idea, especially if your stretched for cash. And about hot food staying hot and cold food staying cold, even walmart sells the trays with the burners under them to keep food warm.</strong> They're in the part section and relatively cheap, and reusable. I think it's nice, especially when it's just a small family wedding. I'm sure your family would understand and love to help you out. You could make it fun by having every one bring a cute recipe of whatever they brought, to build your cookbook, and so everyone knows whats in the foods in case of allergies. I wanted to just have a small wedding with close family, but the fiance is Italian, no such thing as small anything, haha. But good luck! And if it makes you feel better, I'm watching The Nanny and they are having a potluck debutant brunch
Posted by Kris092988[/QUOTE]

Seriously?! We are not talking about reheating the overcooked pasta salad. We are talking about maintaining safe food standards. When you leave food out for hours without proper heat or cooling, bacteria grows. Add a hot car, and the bacteria grows like crazy. In most cases, this bacteria is bad for the human digestive system. Would you go to a restaurant that was on the evening news for keeping the pasta out for 4 hours with no heat or the tiramasu on the prep counter for 4 hours with no refridgeration? How about buying meat or cheese from the grocery store whose cooler is broken?

People don't respond well to getting an invite to a wedding and then they are told that they have to make a dish and type a recipe card. They will not say anything to your face, but you will be the subject of many conversations and not one of them will be about how nice your wedding was.

If you want recipes for your cookbook, start an email campaign or have a kitchen shower. Do not use your reception and desire to have recipes to shaft your guests.

By the way, just because it is on TV does not mean it is the correct thing to do.

mjoslin1990 · August 2010

Well when I meant "small" I meant thats ALL family. My fiance and I have invited 5 people each that are NOT relatives. We both have huge families. I have 43 people just on my moms side of the family and thats all first cousins and aunts/uncles.

As far as actually ASKING the guests to bring dishes, I didnt mean that. Maybe potluck was a terrible word choice.

My Fiance, his family (mom, dad, sister, grandparents) and my family are willing to help make and set up the food. Just pasta of some sort, most likely walmart chicken, salad, and some fruit/veggie trays.

I lived in Ohio and had an open house for 300 people, all the food was made by me and my family. So I've done this before. Everything hot stayed hot and cold, cold.

Just wanted others opinions

Xan921 · August 2010

Mjoslin1990, I think you just picked the wrong word. When I think of potluck, I think of a cookout where everyone is supposed to bring a side, a dessert, a couple bags of chips, etc; and if that's the case, I don't think it's acceptable for a reception; however, I think you just meant to say that you and a few close family members were going to cater the reception yourself. And if that's the case, I think that is fine. We're having a small wedding (50 people) and are doing some of the catering ourselves. There is a local sandwich shop that is really well known in the area, so we're getting sandwiches (not like plain white bread, meat, cheese...these are gourmet type sandwiches) and something similiar to twice-baked baked potatoes for around $400.00. But to add to that, we'll be making pasta salad, cheese and veggie platters, and a few other sides (there is a fridge and stove on site, so everything will be kept cold or hot until it's time to eat); we'll be making everything at the venue the day prior. My Mom isn't a fan of weddings, so she really wants to take control over making sure all the food is set up at the right time and so forth rather than doing a lot of the traditional MOB stuff. Anyway, what I am saying is, if you all want to cater yourself and have a few close family members or friends help (if they offer, of course), I think it's just fine as long as you take the proper steps to ensure everything is kept at the right temperatures.

Xan921 · August 2010

As far as other menu items, food you can cook/keep warm in a crockpot is always easy. What about the meatballs people make with chili sauce and jelly? Those are always a hit and easy/cheap to make. Also, you could do a warm dip in a crock pot and then next to it on a tray have different types of pita bread, crackers, etc.

StephandMark123 · August 2010

yum, swedish meatballs. a family favorite for us too!!
anyway, are you having your wedding and reception at the same place, inside or outside? i think if it's inside you'll alleviate a lot of fears about food poisioning/bacteria/etc. you'll have the ability to regulate temperatures better.
plus, if it's you and your BM's and a few family members making everything, i think it will be fine. you'll be able to match your serving pieces, be sure that the food is good and not gross, and you won't put your guests out or make them feel uncomfortable. potluck is a NO, but DIY is fine.
i mean, like Xan921, i'm having a small reception only because i can't afford to have more ppl and have it done nicely. and i have a large family too.
as long as it's classy, i'd say go for it. i wouldn't personally do it that way, but everyone's different and this is YOUR wedding!!

StephandMark123 · August 2010

other menu items might be hearty pastas like a baked ziti or something that is fillnig yet easy to make, sausage and peppers (which i hate, but it's a hit). i would get lots of different cool artisan breads and do german potato salad (it's vinegar-based and can be served hot/room temp) I would do fresh fruit and pies since they can be room temp, and i would really amp up my appetizers, since so many really tasty apps can be easy to arrange and cheap.
Look into getting large "tubs" that you can put the things that need to be cold in so that you can surround it with ice.
I'm sure that you can make it much more elegant than this, but here are a few pics I found with the idea I'm talking about. The first is inflatable (?), and the second is some sort of baby bath. One of the articles also suggests using those long plastic tubs that are meant to go underneath a bed. you know what they are.
GOOD LUCK!!

kylaerin · August 2010

For our wedding we rented a reception hall where you can make or bring your own food. We meaning me, my mom, my fiance, and his mom, and my sister in law are making all the food. We are doing lasanga and salad and bbq with a few sides. The place has a kitchen so the food will be going directly from our house to their kitchen in the morning and we have someone hired to go ahead after the wedding and get things heated and set up. Its totally doable. We are having around 125 people and estimated food cost is only around $500.

AbbeyS2011 · August 2010

I am considering doing our own food for the reception, meaning deli trays from a local grocer - meat/cheese, rolls, mini sandwiches, fruit/cheese trays, vegetable platters, 2-3 salads. My other option is having a BBQ place cater - not sure yet.

I think whatever you decide will be fine. I personally have no problem asking for help from family members nor do I get offended when someone asks me to cook for their party. I am glad to be able to pitch in whenever I can.

missegg · August 2010

My family was all in favor of an actual potluck reception. Of course, the wedding will be taking place in Minnesota, land of 10,000 potlucks. I had to veto the idea since FI's family will be coming in from all over the US, but personally, I love potlucks and see no problem with it as long as the guests are ok with it.

Anyone considering a potluck reception? ideas?

Re: Anyone considering a potluck reception? ideas?

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