Potluck reception

If I came to a wedding that was potluck I probably wouldn’t eat at it. I also don’t think guests should be the ones providing something that is the hosts responsibility. Potluck is fine for an office or super bowl party but I don’t think it’s appropriate for a wedding. If you can’t afford to feed everyone get married at a non meal time and have a cake and punch reception afterwards or cut your guest list. BBQ/Italian/Mexican food can usually be catered for $10-$15 per person.

I do not like this idea at all. I personally would not eat from a potluck, especially if the foods are homemade. We all know that everyone does not keep their home/kitchen clean.

99.9% of WW is in the group that hate this “idea”

It’s all fun & games until Aunt Lisa’s tuna casserole makes everyone sick.

View Quoted Comment I completely agree with all of this.

Nope don’t do it! It’s not human like!!! Especially for a wedding! Happy Planning 🍷

Few things I’ve always wondered about potluck receptions..
1) How would you word this on your invitation?? Like how would you ask a guest to bring a dish
2) how would you make sure there’s enough of each for everyone attending. ?
3) who would serve the food and set everything up?
4) what about people w allergies or dietary rescritions?

All weddings I have heard of that do potlucks or cater their own food the guests end up with food poisoning

View Quoted Comment

This, exactly. If I got invited to a potluck wedding, I'd a) probably decline, and if I didn't, b) wouldn't eat anything.

I wouldn't attend a potluck wedding. No matter how much a person claims their kitchen to be clean, you still might never know how truly dirty they are.

I did a reception that was home cooked for most dishes. It was very small and intimate. But, they had so much variety. I new the bride and her family of cooks that's why I
felt comfortable to eat. And I have a sensitive stomach. No one got food poison. Oh! By the way I don't eat at everyone home and some restaurants.

I have gone to a wedding like this.
The only thing i ate was the veggies from
the veggie tray because it came from a grocery store.
We left after an hr or so and went to get food.

Oh an i had NO idea it would be like this. I was 100% expecting real food. This was not real food

Unless this was an immediate family ONLY thing...I probably would eat either. Especially if guests have to travel a considerable amount....how do I know that food has maintained the correct temps? Or if somebody has nut allergies and isnt made aware of the all the ingredients? What happened if everybody just brings desserts or bags of chips??
It's just too risky of a situation all around.

Please don’t do this. Pot lucks are just asking for issues with food poisoning. How will you make sure all of the food is kept at food safe temperatures throughout the cooking process and before serving?

As someone with food allergies I do not eat at potlucks. I can’t and don’t trust that everyone knows how to properly avoid cross contamination.

I’ve been to one potluck wedding. The key to it was that it was the family’s culture to do potluck. Everyone in the family does potluck for their wedding. For this particular bride it would’ve been more controversial for her not to have potluck. Those of us on the groom’s side were a little confused about the whole thing, but it turned out fine. Just make it clear that out of town guests aren’t expected to bring food.

If you can't afford to feed everyone without help, don't invite everyone. Host the wedding that you can afford. If you're only able to properly host 50 people, then invite 50 people. Don't put the responsibility of financing and cooking your food off on your guests.

View Quoted Comment

Hahaha this comment though. It's true. You risk far more with making people sick/allergic reaction. And they aren't gonna sue Aunt Lisa, they're going to be looking at the bride and groom.

OP: If it fits your personality and the family I'd suggest doing a more down-scaled backyard type wedding. I wouldn't feel like it's a wedding then just an ordinary party like the 4th of july. I also find it's a little rude, because a wedding isn't like an ordinary holiday party. You are thanking your guests for witnessing your matrimony by throwing a celebration.

The thing with this is that it IS immediate family. The reason its so big is that my FH comes from a huge family, and when we first even started talking about getting married he was talking about this for the reception and at first i didnt like the idea but he kept insisting on it.
I know my family wouldnt mind and my mom and sis like the idea and he says his family is the same way, and i know the people who would be cooking and they are all local and as for the food poisoning concerns you have that all the time no matter when and where you eat but ive ate at his families homes several time with no issues.

Im sorry but in my opinion pot lucks r disgusting. I dont eat pot lucks no matter where they r or whos having them. I will only eat food people prepare if i personally know them.

View Quoted Comment While you are right you do run the risk of food poisoning no matter what- it’s much less likely to happen when you’re eating food prepared by professionals ( restaurants / caterers etc.).. I’m still concerned about the allergy thing too, at easy for a professional to re work a recipe to make dishes allergy free