Potluck - carefree or tacky?

Some websites:

http://www.thedailymeal.com/budget-wedding-go-potluck

http://2000dollarwedding.com/2009/04/case-for-potluck-wedding.html

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/614883

The last one is addressing a question by someone who was invited to a potluck wedding.

It depends on the group of people you hang with. Our group potlucks everything. Our wedding is not large, about 70 people. It's a 2nd wedding for both of us. It's in the afternoon. It lends itself well to a dessert reception. My friends and sister are all helping with different aspects and they'll also be making the desserts. They're excited about being a part Oh, and we've tried to make it clear that we don't need gifts--between us we have plenty. Do what feels right within your culture.

I thought a little more...my dessert reception isn't potluck--I'm just choosing to have close friends cater it for me at a seriously discounted rate!

Based on your wedding date, there appears to be ample opportunity to save to host something more personal for your guests. I certainly wouldn't promote it as 'potluck', however if you decide to go this route. If it's small enough, most restaurants can cater 30-50 people for a pretty reasonable amount I think.

I do not see it as tacky, As long as your family is the ones who are helping, I do not think it is a big deal.

In my opinion, yes it is tacky. I would either scale back the guest list so you can afford to provide all the food or push the date out if you have to to save up. If I received an invite to a "potluck" wedding I would be very put off and think "wait, what? you want me to bring you a gift AND provide the food for all your other guests?"

A couple of my cousins had very small budgets for their wedding. One had hers in her parents pole barn and her mom and aunts made all the food. The other had hers at a community center and again the mom and aunts made all the food. I think that would be a more acceptable way to go.

I'm going against the consensus but I personally would love to be invited to a potluck reception. And would happily show up with my dish and a gift. I think the idea is quaint, personal, and very intimate.

However, I wouldn't suggest this if you are having a huge wedding but if it's a small one I say go for it! Because it wouldn't be fair to ask people to cook for tons of people.

Just think about who's bringing what and how are you going to serve it and keep it warm. I would imagine there will be extra steps involved. And like someone else said I'd suggest doing the main dish yourself or possibly one (or all) of your moms or dads doing that. You could even label everything with cards that said things like Barbra's Mom's Famous Chicken Salad. You could make cute little recipe books as favors for your guest.

Here's some ideas on how to pull it off. http://offbeatbride.com/tag/potluck

You know your crowd and how they'll feel about it. Do what's right for you and FI.

I think it can be tacky, but it all depends on your family and their opinions. If you are going to have a potluck, then let each person's dish be your wedding gift. Since you said your wedding will be pretty small I don't see why this would be a problem. I would personally talk to the people who you want to do this and tell them the reasoning behind it. Let them know that you want to have a meal, but you can't afford catering. I know if I asked my family to do it they would say yes because they would understand that not everyone can afford catering, and they would also like the idea of not having to get a gift. To me it is no different than requesting a friend/family member to make your cake if you know they are good at it...cont

In the end it is your wedding and none of our opinons really matter because it is your family and friends who will be the ones making the dishes for the potluck. My best friend is getting married in September and if she asked me to bring a dish of something to her reception instead of a gift, I would be glad to do that for her because she is my friend. I most definitely would not tell her no or etll her that it was tacky because that would be rude.

It's a day you are hosting as a couple. Not a day that guests have to supply their own food.

It is tacky