Wedding on an extreme budget?

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.

No you can't have a potluck reception. If you can't front the cost of catering, cut your guest list. Remember these people are bringing you $$$ wedding gifts, so you have to provide the food. After the wedding you can replenish your savings with the gift money you get.

Try to see if you can at least afford crudite, fruit and cheese platter, and cake with soft drinks. There's no need to have hot dishes if you can't afford it.

You can save a bundle on you wedding cake! There is a new book with easy instructions on How to Make a Wedding Cake Even if You Can't Bake.

It's YOUR wedding- absolutely you are able to ask people to bring a dish! Most people are used to standard weddings, which can frankly be boring. Holding it in a park with a potluck just makes it more interesting and I'm sure everyone will have a great time. :)

If you're having a small, informal reception, I think it's perfectly acceptable to say "In lieu of a gift, we would appreciate you bringing a homemade dish to the reception." Perhaps less poorly worded, though. =P

I read this blog of this one lady who got married last fall. It was her second wedding and they didn't want anything huge. They didn't send out formal invitations, but instead all the info was on her blog. In lieu of any formal gifts, she asked for either stuff for the wedding, food, or money for some sort of a fund. Here's the link. http://katemcdonald.wordpress.com/2010/08/24/somet... I kinda thought it was a super cute and creative idea. =)

Yes asking guest is very tacky

On the other hand

Asking close family and friends to bring food is not

You would need someone to know what people are bringing, where they are dropping then off, heating it up and severing the food