BarQ Reception

I personally wouldnt do it. It also depends on your venue. My venue was a nice hall and didnt go with BBQ dinner. Also if you want your guest all dressed up, BBQ might not be a good idea as it is informal and messy.

I think you need to find something you're both happy with. That being said, as a guest, I would LOVE bbq, especially in winter because it's been so long since anyone has eaten it.

@Mrs. Montoya im debating on formal or semi formal myself and FH we arent really dressy people but none the less its a wedding ....@Kerri F. Thanks

@Cynthia July 2013.... People are always going to have something to say but at the end of the day its about US

I'm not against the idea i just want us each to be happy with any and ever decision

I would have maybe the chicken dish be a BBQ chicken... but that's as far as I would go if you are having a formal wedding, because everything is so messy! Think about it, everyone's dressy and in good clothes... and they have bbq sauce dripping down everything and their hands are messy... not a good combo for a wedding.

A friend of mine did BBQ for her wedding and it was actually really nice. They had a buffet, but it was still china, stainless flatware, linen napkins, etc. They did non-messy bbq… chicken, tri-tip, mashed potatoes, green beans (i think), green salad, and something else. Then they had amazing garlic toast! It was BBQ flavor without the BBQ mess. I would stay away from Ribs, and pulled pork, or any sort of sandwich… nothing that would encourage people to eat with their hands

Christina ...Those are the points im making to him

Thanks Kimberly - let me reexamine the menu

We're getting married in May. We're having a friend of ours do BBQ for our wedding (he's amazing!)....having BBQ chicken, pulled pork sandwiches, green beans, pasta salad, baked beans, and rolls....very casual food, yet I'm confident we can make it elegant...plus we love BBQ! I'd say if that's something you'd like to do, go for it! I see no problem.

Hey Rachele... we are also doing a BBQ wedding reception. We're in an indoor/outdoor venue in late spring and it is going to be perfect.

The company is bringing a grill and cooking a pig out front all day. They're also bringing Chicken, Ribs, Hamburgers, Hot dogs and our choice of sides.

To spruce it up a little bit, we are getting bamboo plates instead of the Styrofoam he was going to bring.

You need to do what is best for you and your beloved. For us, a 5 course seated meal was just never going to be us and after spending all of the money to celebrate our union and having a rocking party, we wanted to eat the food that we like and enjoy ourselves.

I love BBQ. Sounds great to me. If I was a wedding guest I'd be thrilled. I'd rather have that then a piece of chicken breast! haha.

OMG Thanks Ladies

Meredith our wedding will be indoor/outdoor too and they bring the grills also and they cater alot at the venue we are choosing ..

Crystal how can i make it upscale

MrsWilson - I'm with you on that

Dont do it girl...that will mess up the flow and your dress lol

@Kristen Why do you think it will mess up the flow

You can absolutely do a BBQ dinner w/o it being messy. Really - it's no messier than pasta or any other food that's served with a sauce. I'd avoid ribs or other foods that should normally be eating w/ your hands though.

We did a BBQ buffet (sliced brisket & sausage - all fork & knife foods!) for our wedding, and we got TONS of compliments on the food. Now - our wedding was nice, but not formal, and we're in Texas, so it's not uncommon at all. Our venue was also nice but rustic-looking, so BBQ totally fit in w/ the style of our wedding. I think you need to look more towards the theme/style of your wedding, and if BBQ fits in with that or not. If not, maybe you can find a compromise in the entree choices, or maybe even a more upscale caterer to do the BBQ.

@Ashley Thanks ....The theme is Peacock but thats more on the decor it will be an outdoor ceremony in July and FH would like to have the dinner outside too and the party inside but we shall see I haven't really that about a style we are not really formal dressy people so i might go for semi formal ...I would love to have it upscale but what is Upscale for BBQ

Rachele what month is your wedding in? I don't see a problem with it, but you will have people that will have something to say. But I would do it just because we are getting married in May.

Thanks Michele

I'm trying to get all my thoughts and ideas together now so me and fh can discuss it this evening

Really, who doesn't love a bar-b-que?? Now, I would say if you had guests all dressed up and served bar-b-que'd baby backs and corn on the cob, you might have a bit of a mess! (Of course, that would be excellent for an informal event) At a more formal or semi-formal event, I would stay away from any traditional bar-b-que foods that are typcially eaten without utensils: baby backs, corn on the cob, etc. However, that leaves a lot of options: country ribs, chicken, tri tip, brisket. With a buffet, the bride and groom are usually served their own plate, which would lessen the possibility of food/sauce spoiling your dress. As far as eating bar-b-que (with utensils) in a wedding dress, it's no more difficult than eating anything else! And as for guests with messy/dirty fingers? It can happen at any reception.

I would say that so often grooms get very little say in what goes on. If this is your groom's reguest, talk to your cater and work it out. I think you might be pleasantly surprised!

Also as far as expectations and attire, we are just letting everyone know ahead of time that there will be ribs, bbq chicken, ect.

We aren't having a fancy upscale wedding, and have asked our guests to dress to match. No big high heels (stick into the mud), no big glittery dresses, ect.

Whenever we let one of our guests know that it is going to be laid back and having BBQ they are all very excited to not have to dress to the nine's.

Me and the hubby is going with the BBQ reception. Both families love BBQ's and figured what better way to introduce both families.