Potluck for reception?

A potluck as in your guests bring the food to your reception? I'm not sure I would like that as a guest If you want my honest opinion. You would basically be putting the cost of your wedding on to your guests. And unless you have a VERY small guest list it's impossible to know how people cook and store food which could be a disaster waiting to happen. Also, if you plan on having your reception at a venue, pretty much no venue will allow it due to liability reasons.

I would instead look at more affordable catering options. I hear Olive Garden caters weddings and is pretty reasonably priced. BBQ is cheaper as well.

On another note, congratulations on your engagement!

View Quoted Comment I really appreciate your honesty!! I’ll definitely look into Olive Garden, my fiancé and I love their food!

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Hi Samantha! Agreeing with FutureMrsC, most venues have a hard time with outside food being that it's not "licensed" to be served. Many food prep/maintenance/storage problems can arise.

How many are on your guest list? We can help you brainstorm other options for your wedding-day food & catering that are cost effective, too!

View Quoted Comment I’m thinking there might be 75 people at the wedding. So far I have 65 on my list but they’re all family and close friends, I might add more though.

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Wonderful Have you found a venue yet?

An idea: You could consider booking a restaurant near you with a private dining room option! That way, the restaurant you choose supplies the food and the space to accommodate your guest list. Sort of two-in-one.

View Quoted Comment You know, I have been looking at options like that. I’ve been considering Salvatore’s in Lawrence because it’s around the corner from our home, and they offered me a pretty decent deal! Ideally I’d like to do my wedding at a barn like Smolak Farms but they haven’t gotten back to me yet on quotes yet. But so far Salvatore’s offers up a pretty good deal!

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Hi Samantha! I just looked up Salvatore's and they seem like a great, local catering restaurant option! And that way, you could still have your reception at the venue you want. That's great that you have already connected with them and got a good price quote!

We are getting married December 1st, large pavilion at a beautiful county park. We are having a potluck wedding/reception. We are thinking maybe 200 people will show of the 450 invited. Every person I have spoken with is very happy with this idea. We are in the south and that's just what we do. I'm NOT spending thousands of dollars on crappy BBQ or Olive garden. We are providing the meats/alcohol/wedding cake. In the invitation write "in lieu of gifts please bring a dish to share". If anyone thinks they are above this then they don't belong at YOUR wedding. Save your money for important things. I'm making my own dress, decor will be minimal, not doing cheesy gifts because they just get thrown away, and I will not spend over $1500 and that's if all 450 people show up (which they won't). *DJ is a friend and doing it for free *We bought a 10 pack of disposable cameras for photos and a videographer friend is offering service for free. Good Luck!

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Hey Amanda!!

Your wedding is coming up so fast!! Will you be relaxing until your big day or are you finishing up some last minute tasks?!