Potluck reception

No matter what you say, most people will hate this idea and give you grief. The WW world in general is not a fan. I however wouldn't care and feel it is definitely a know your crowd thing. I would either eat or not eat. My first wedding was a potluck. Everyone brought their family dishes and everyone loved it and ended up swapping recipes afterwards. No one got sick, no one left because it wasn't catered food, no one skipped eating etc. I have a huge family and no matter what the occasion, people will ALWAYS bring food, its just how they are. Granted that was back in 1998. I am having this one catered for a few reasons. 1. we have limited time in the venue and we didn't want to waste any of it dealing with the food and the reception is also ending early so we weren't having to serve a "dinner" - 2. it is 21 years later and a lot of the people that made all the delicious food back then have passed - 3. because a lot of the guests are having to travel 1-3 hours and even out of state and I didn't want food to spoil or spill on the ride and 4. we didn't want any of our guests feeling like they had to work instead of enjoying themselves considering that many from out of town are coming. We are having a local restaurant cater it and for an estimated 95 guests is only costing us around $600 so all in all, the issues and time that I am saving is worth it. We will be serving various types of sliders and sandwiches, fruits, desserts, soup, a variety of bites and skewers etc. For the reception is 1998, there was a little of everything.....different casseroles, meatballs, veggie platters, fruit platters, desserts, cheeses and cold cuts, lasagnas, sandwiches and bbq etc.

And thats all fine. Im not saying anyone has to like it.
I just dont like being looked down on and people telling me i should have a "low class" wedding if i chose to do something like this.

Like you said its all about knowing the crowd and the people. And even after stating i know my people i still caught grief for it because "its not proper" and none of that is what i asked.

I had asked for recipes and ideas, not oppinon because i already knew alot of people have bad oppinon on people who self cater. But again all of that was glossed over with "dont do its"
One poster even told me "its not human like" like seriously?
Different strokes for different folks.