About to cancel over reception food. One unexpected expense after another...

But you came on here to presumably ask for advice and you even knew how people would respond?

So what was the point?? You don't want to hear about the additional options to your day (immediate family only, small ceremony, out to dinner) then what did you want? A pat on the back? Everyone to say aww yeah you had a couple set backs you DESERVE to be thrown a party that is your own responsibility?

Everyone has set backs - Someone just backed into my car and drove off without leaving information, I'm stuck covering my deductible now - but I'm not letting it affect my hosting. And if it did - well then we would scale back. I would rather treat my immediate family well then over two dozen people crappily.

Ditto!! Where do I sign up to have hot cabana boys fanning me poolside and feeding me grapes, because that sounds LOADS better than my office!

And OP, take a deep breath. Nice deep breath. It's gonna be okay, really. I get you on wanting 200+ people to come celebrate your moment with you and your FH. Left to his own devices, my FH had a guest list of 175 people, without even taking a breath to stop; those were just his close friends and relatives. Adding the rest of them and he'd have been at 250 all by himself. Working with him to cut that guest list down to what will fit the venue and what we can afford has been the hardest sacrifice for him in this, but with all the bills we already pay plus footing our wedding ourselves, hosting 300 people just wasn't feasible or realistic. It was a tough conversation. It still is, and still takes some gentle pushing and pulling to compromise. But that's part of weddings, marriages, and everything - learning where you will compromise.

So first, look at what you HAVE. Your venue is free. Most brides here would LOVE to say the same, so smile and be grateful for that. That's usually the second biggest expense next to food. You're renting all your tables and chairs, and you got your linens cheap with intent to resale them. Bravo! That's being thrifty, and reselling the wedding items will be making another bride's planning easier. So, good job! Your family is already going above and beyond to help you in this, from your flowers to your lights, and your photography, videography, and photobooth are all being gifted to you. OMG. Those are huge wedding expenses, just being gifted to you. You are insanely lucky, and you must be well-loved for them to pitch in like that. I'm jealous, and I'd be thanking them every moment I can. Not saying you don't, but emphasizing gratitude shifts a lot of things in life. A lack of gratitude is the seed of discontent.

Rentals and food can get crazy expensive. Boy, I get you there. I do. Our wedding budget is a handful of twine, some popsicle sticks, and a few dollars. We're having to compromise and cut things everywhere we can to make it all work. It's not fun, but that's what must be done. But food is something that shows you are grateful to your guests for coming, for supporting you, for being there. It's you showing your appreciation. I'll admit I've gone to one pot luck reception that turned out well; there were a grand total of thirty guests, and the pot luck was hosted by the church ladies. Everyone had survived their cooking before But that's a far cry from 200 adults partying. So things to consider? As others have said, cutting down your guest list. That's the most painful, but it makes planning the menu so much easier. If you've already budgeted for your main meats, most of your battle is already won. So instead of asking guests to bring more sides than you'll all be able to eat (or a mountain of chips... so many pot lucks where everyone brought chips), call your local higher-end grocery stores. Their delis often have sides like mashed potatoes, pasta salad, cole slaw, etc, readymade and in their display cases. Even if those items aren't listed on their websites, go in person, and ask the deli manager for cost for making whole pans of that would be. You'd be surprised how often they're willing to work on requests like that, and it's a lot cheaper than you'd think. Other thing to cut back on might be the open bar. Instead of open bar with the works, scale it back to beer, wine, and maybe one signature cocktail. That alone will save you some cash that you can put back toward the food.

It doesn't have to be an extreme of either/or. You just have to step back and look at it from a practicality standpoint. You'd never tell your clients to go into debt or risk food poisoning, so you shouldn't tell yourself those things, either. Express your gratitude openly to the friends and family helping you in this, and who knows, they may have some alternate suggestions that could be helpful

Uggh... so because you've gone through a lot, you think you deserve a wedding you can obviously not afford?

You can do whatever you want. But, that doesn't change the fact that asking guests to bring a dish to your wedding is rude, tacky and dangerous.

Not sure what you want us to tell you here.

A. You literally told someone she had a simple mind. That's an insult everwhere I've ever lived.

B. No one is telling you that you have to have cake. No one is saying you haven't been through a lot (as you seem to love telling everyone). What we are saying is that it seems as though you are set on having a party that you can't afford, and that you aren't entitled to. We are saying that if you have to ask guests to bring food to feed people at your wedding, you invited too many people.

OP "cake and punch" is usually a catch all for cake and light refreshments (such as a fruit / veggie tray, finger sandwiches, cheese and crackers.) The "punch" can be unsweetened tea, diet soda, coffee...etc.

Also, you are either misinformed about hypoglycemia or you mean hyperglycemia.

You insulted Sarah by saying she had a simple mind.