What do you think about a potluck reception...is it okay or not?

Honestly, you may want to think about just having a cake and punch reception. If you cannot spend the dough on food, it may be best to just do a smaller reception.

I truly do not like the idea of asking guests to bring food to a wedding.

Caterers worth their license to have a business will work with you if you're on a budget. A heavy appetizer menu will satisfy just as well as a plated dinner, and may save you some $$.

In my family we do potluck parties all the time usually its a traditional menu with spanish food that includes:

-rice and beans/ rice with gandules (pigeon peas)

-pernil (roast pork marinated in garlic and seasonings)

-plantain salad (kind of a spanish version equivalent to a pasta salad)

-baked ziti, lasagna, and other dishes

This is tradition in my spanish culture, and my area its the norm. Luckily for me, I found a hall that know how to cook spanish food and is willing to add american as well! Also, if money is the issue, look into an American Legion, the caterers are usually lower priced with some good food! I went to a wediing and thye had beef in gravy, mashed potatoes, rolls, roast chicken, spaghetti, and salad. It was simple, but really good. I know a friend who paid only $17 per person doing this. Good luck!

I think it depends on who you're inviting. For example, we are inviting only our immediate family and four couples (and their kids) who we consider our dearest friends. I know that none of them would have ANY problem with it being a potluck thing. However, it you're inviting distant relatives you rarely see or friends that are not really that close they would probably consider it at least tacky if not rude.

I do agree with adding a flyer with the potluck/BYOB info instead of having it printed on the invitation.

I dont potluck would be so bad depending on the formality of your wedding, and also what type of environment you come from. If you come from a set of family and friends where doing a potluck is something that youve done before and know will go smoothly then go for it, but if you come from an environment where thats not really your thing, or not many cook much(or cook well) i would just find an alternative for your weddings sake.

I am having a potluck reception with a very laid back wedding. My FH and I are expecting our first child a month after the wedding so money is pretty tight. I got together with my grandma, mom, SIL, MIL, and aunt and we are the only ones preparing the food. This way I know all the details about the food. Our wedding is not very traditional, pretty much a ceremony and a family party afterwards. That being said I think you can have a potluck wedding but it will take planning as well as really knowing your guests. Like others have posted some people may be offended by it.

Overall though this day is about you and your FH. I feel that you should do what makes you happy, people should be coming to your wedding to celebrate your special day with you. I would do what you can with what you can afford, and then just enjoy yourself.

I would recommend against it. I know money is tight, but you can do a beautiful cake and punch reception on a budget. Or do a lunch over a dinner- since it's so much cheaper.

I just think a potluck won't work very well. People have to bring food, and it will sit there during the ceremony. I think you can ask closer friends to bring some of it, but provide all the hot stuff yourselves.

And of course it depends on the location, timing, etc.

I think it depends on the style of wedding you are having. My niece is having her wedding in a park. "Activities" during the reception may include corn hole, horse-shoes, volleyball, besides dancing and photobooth. They are having typical "barbeque" food - pulled pork, potato salad, etc. Several family members are supplementing the catered food with cookies, salads, etc. While not strictly a pot luck affair, it is a gathering of loved ones celebrating the nuptials of two special people! :-)

I dont undertand why there is such a debat on potluck receptions or why ssoo many other brides say its a no no no sitiuation. For one they are the ones who probably can afford a $5,000 to $10,000 dollar wedding, but that is great for them. It is wonderful to be able to afford a beautiful wedding. I am happy for those brides that can. But for the LOW Income families who cant afford it at all.... Potluck is great! I am getting married again in August 2011 and We are having a modern 50's them, and I am wearing a 50's tyle tea length dress in white of course. We are only having 40 people at our wedding, and most of them are family and exstreamly close friends. If you were to ask me directly.. I am going to tell you that I am tired of people talking about it being in poor taste. This is my wedding and my fiance's wedding and this is what we want. I am very happy with my wedding plans. We are just trying to figure out how to word the invitations. and the food theme ideas??!!

Even if the wedding is elegant, perhaps a cocktail reception with potluck "finger food only" would be appropriate for the very close family members and friends to provide. You can buy petite quiches, sausages, etc. bake them, and keep them warm in a crockpot until it is time to serve. Grapes and cheese chunks strung on a skewer is another idea. Tea sandwiches. The criteria: if you can't pick up the food with a toothpick, it's not finger food. You provide the elegant looking dishes for to serve the finger food in. You don't want to serve food on baking pans if you can avoid it! Dollar Tree has plastic trays that look like glass. Ask a couple of family members (NOT the mother of the bride) -- maybe aunts, or cousins -- to be in charge of the food and service, and tell them their help is their wedding gift to you!