I'm planning a somewhat informal wedding on minimum wage, with nearly no current savings. I've decided it would be nice to have an outdoor wedding in the local park. I was wondering if it would be very tacky of me to ask the guests to bring a covered dish and have a potluck reception. It would save me on food costs and everyone would have at least one thing they'd like to eat. I'd supply plates, utensils, drinks, and, of course, cake.
2011-04-18T12:47:15Z
I should add that, since neither of us has much family, it'll be a fairly small amount of guests.
Lynnie2011-04-18T12:56:47Z
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I don't think it's tacky. You do what you have to. And the truth is people that really know your situation will understand. And people with common sense would understand why you are doing it that way. No worries.
I think it depends on the guests really. Unless it will just be close family and very close friends it would be a bit tacky. I don't think it'd be tacky to ask some of your closer family/friends to help out by bringing a dish though, and then you could make some additional food to serve. Like you do the main dishes or maybe barbecue stuff like meat and coordinate with your best friends, relatives to have them bring a side dish or two? I doubt people who are really close to you would be offended by that especially if they know your financial situation- at least I wouldn't? And you'd keep from offending/irritating/looking tacky to the other guests who aren't as close or don't have the time or cooking skills to bring food.
Honestly, it depends on the customs of where you're living.
In my area, this would be deemed tacky...yes. However, i know a few women who've come one here and have said potluck wedding receptions are very common in their area and are, therefore, not tacky.
An alternative option would be to just have a very small, intimate wedding...inviting only as many gusts as you can afford to feed. Another option would be to have the ceremony during the day, between lunch and dinner so you don't have to serve a full meal...you can do semi-heavy appetizers and cake and punch.
First off make sure your parks dept allows for a group gathering. Some insist on a fee to be paid or at least notice so you don't want to be embarrassed so check into that .
Get married in a chapel with your witnesses and then have people over to your home for a champagne toast and cake. That's it.
To ask people to bring a pot luck is very bad and you will regret it. Just do this and if you want then go out for dinner with the witnesses or have them stay for dinner at home. You do one or the other. Have people for dinner or no dinner.
Start to buy food in bulk at the whole sale stores. Use bambu plates they are elegant, and better for the environment. Make a punch or have just beer and wine and soft drinks. I wouldn't ask anyone to bring anything it would be tacky. Instead use an Ipod for music and dance and find a beautiful back yard or park to host everything. Just buy items at a time. (For instance think of pasta or meat balls and start stocking and freezing) As far as a cake ask a creative friend to possibly bake one or do cup cakes and stack them.