Food dilemma

Did you have a deadline for the RSVP? I would suggest following up with them and reminding them to RSVP if they’re interested in coming. I assume you already didn’t have a catering company you were going through. You mentioned Golden Corral. Is it going to be a brunch? I’d think about what it is that you and your FH would like to have because it is you alls wedding. Look into some local catering companies depending on your preference. It’s cutting it pretty close with the timing, you’d at least want to have something, even if you order more food than expected. I hope it works out Christian!

For a June 18th wedding, you don't need all the RSVPs back until around June 4–10. If you aren't hearing back from people, it's because you sent it too early. As for catering, if you wanted a potluck, you probably would have had to notify guests about that sooner because some may choose to decline knowing that info (like people who can't cook or have severe allergies so they can't just eat random stuff from another guest's kitchen). At this point, I would see what a restaurant can do for you even if it's short notice.

I would see if a restaurant would do something. I don’t think guests would like having to cook for someone else’s wedding. Also for a June wedding invites would’ve been sent around now. You sent them probably too early. RSVPs aren’t usually due until around 2 weeks before the wedding

View Quoted Comment Agreed. Plus, many venues will not allow potlucks because of safety concerns/health code violations.

Unless youre holding a very close friends and family's wedding, or this is common practice in your culture, as a guest I would not participate in a potluck wedding. Also, expecting RSVP's now for an early June wedding is really early. It also seems late to not have a plan for food. At this point, if your dad is suggesting a potluck you can either have your own family prepare and provide all the food, or you need to find a restaurant or grocery store that can do a quick turnaround on catering like Olive Garden or a BBQ place.

I never love a potluck wedding, but even so, that ship has sailed. If you wanted to do potluck, you would’ve needed to pass that information on to guests before invites and RSVPs so that they could plan accordingly. (There’s lots of reasons that info would change someone’s response— one person mentioned allergies which is a huge one, and for me I think a lot about travel and budget).


So, I’d definitely look into catering. If not Golden Corral, I’ve used grocery store catering for parties before and been very happy. You can often get nice sized trays of hot food at affordable prices (think lasagna, chicken Marsala, baked ziti if looking for hot food, or sandwiches, wraps, salads If it’s a midday meal)

What time is the wedding at? You might do better to have a brunch or lunchtime event with grocery store sandwich plates etc.

Potluck is not a great idea. At the reception, you're supposed to be hosting guests to thank them for attending the wedding. In addition there are food safety concerns with preparation and serving.

The etiquette is that guests should not have to pay for any part of your wedding.

I hope you can sort this out, you don't have a ton of time.

My wedding is June 18th as well. We sent our invites out last week and don't have to give our final count to our caterer until June 1st. Did you give your guests a date to RSVP by? I would definitely check into having a restaurant or local caterer supply your food. It is cutting it really close to not have that all planned out. I've never been to a wedding potluck, but I don't think I would like it. I prefer a plated dinner or even a buffet style dinner.

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June 18th here as well - sending out tomorrow! Deadline end of May for us! I have not been to a potluck that wasn't a bad experience in my family/ circle ... I would echo buffet

I agree with previous posters regarding the buffet. A family friend growing up had a potluck wedding and it was not enjoyable to go to. My whole family felt like we were the ones hosting: making lots of food to make sure everyone could have some, setting up/decorating, helping move chairs, etc. We felt obligated because we were asked to help even though we didn't actually want to b