BYO Food in Fredericksburg, VA

If you don't want to face the reality OP then don't ask for advice.

There are multiple people and professionals trying to help you not tear you down. Aside from the obvious risk of food borne illness the tremendous stress of feeding that many people would be enough to ruin anyones day.

Pretty princess day, aka the great acronym to ever grace the Internet.

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PPD!! ~ love lol

I have been to a lot of these kinds of receptions actually. They usually are NOT fun. The only people who seem to enjoy themselves are:

Bride and groom

SOME close friends

Very few close family

Great Aunt Sally who hasn't seen anyone in years, and probably can't remember who is who anymore.

Basically cut the guest list to those few people and have an beautiful mid day/brunch affair at a restaurant. It will still be fun without people needing to pretend to have a good time.

I would also like to highlight that you defended yourself by saying that none of your friends would sue you, not that you are confident in your ability to safely serve 200 potluck style. Sooooo essentially you are okay with people potentially getting sick?

The biggest problem here is that you're rushing to get married when you're still in school and not financially stable. Wait until you've established a career so you can afford to spend more than $1000 on food.

Stop it

@nolalishak getting straight to the point. Fucking love it.

Seriously, OP, no one will let you do it because it's a TERRIBLE IDEA. Cut your damn guest list so you can afford to host your guests.

Your friends and family most certainly won't sue you...if they all die from your self-catered food.

My wedding was under $5000. I had 40 guests and a properly hosted Sunday lunch reception.

Mrs. Librarian that sounds like a lovely wedding! Did you have the meal at a restaurant?

Op every one HAS given you helpful suggestions. Everyone has suggested you have your wedding catered and not self catered. That's the best advice you could have received.

In response to @FutureMrsL and @bemyguest, I really was trying to give OP benefit of the doubt. Some people don't consider ordering food from a local restaurant as "catering," and more like a large takeout order. I get it, people have different preconceived notions.

But I do think that OP intends to self-cater.

@Kirsten in all seriousness - once you've shaken off the hurt that comes from so many people telling you your idea is a bad one, I hope you'll realize that 80 people all giving you the same advice means you should probably take it. You can still have a wonderful, beautiful wedding by cutting your guest list to afford catering, or by pushing your wedding out a year or two so you can afford to properly host all 200 people.

So much fail, so little time. The thought of cutting the guest list and properly hosting the guests you do have never quite computed I see? Well ain't that a wang dang doodle.

@Kristen are you for frigging real? Or drifting off in fairy tale unicorn land somewhere?

If you choose to proceed with your wedding the way you currently intend to:

These things are GOING to happen:

1.) There will not be enough food. Sorry. I guarantee you 100% that at least part, if not all of your guest list is NOT professionally trained caterers. There will be an abundance of carbo-loaded dishes like potato salad, and MAYBE if you're lucky, someone might bring a meat dish. One person. To feed 200 people. Cool beanz

2.) The food WILL spoil. Food needs to be kept at proper temperatures in order to be served safely to guests. I went to my cousin's self-catered wedding last August and there were only about 70 people and I had really bad toilet problems the next day. No fun at ALL.

3.) At least 10 people are going to complain and/or not even bring food that you're suggesting. Would you want to get all dressed up, enclose a hefty wedding check, AND bring a dish to feed 200 people AND keep it at a safe temperature?

FUCK NO.

I don't care how much "EVERYONE (lies) understands and NO ONE (lies) will sue me." My mom's a lawyer. She sees this shit every damn day. When money is involved, people can do a complete 180. Don't doubt that for a second.

I STRONGLY suggest you cut your guest list to 20 people, take them out to a nice, PROFESSIONALLY CATERED dinner, with alcohol, and call it a night.

OR proceed with your clusterfuck potluck wedding and spend the next 10 years in court facing

e-coli, food poisoning, and botulism law suits.

I have 200 guests. My CHEAPEST catering option is $10,085. Just for food and drinks (not including alcohol). Even a drop-off service would be at least $5,000. Plates and cups are, let's say a minimum of $1/each plate and cup and bundle of utensils (so $3-4/person). That's probably $400-500 right there. Like PP have said, cut your guest list or push back the wedding to host one you can afford.

Also.... if a venue will let you BYOF, they probably want you to have insurance. So add another $200-300 for your guest list size.

WW approved meme for this malarkey.