bbq at Reception?

We're thinking about having BBQ! It's your wedding and you should have the food you want in my opinion

I would find it odd to be served bbq at a formal wedding. To me formal means a plated multi course meal. Maybe mini bbq sliders as one of the options for cocktail hour?

How formal do you consider formal?

We had a semi formal wedding as in no jeans or things like that and had a taco bar. Everyone loved it.

In my opinion, you need to serve formal food at a formal wedding. There is NOTHING wrong with having BBQ at a wedding as long as it's more casual though. What other foods do you like? Italian can be formal, and so can traditional wedding food like chicken & steak.

To me, that doesn’t make sense. BBQ is fine as a good option but not for a formal setting.

Is fine as a food* option***

My daughter's wedding is semi formal and they want fried chicken and mashed potatoes. Im not sure about barbecue for formal only because of mess but at the end of the day do what you're happy with.

I wouldn't serve BBQ at a formal wedding.

If I went to a formal wedding and bbq food was served, I would be a mess. Bbq like wings and pulled pork type with sauces or bbq like hamburgers and hot dogs? Either way, the food should match the formality of the event. We are having a formal wedding but may be having a sliders/hot dog station for cocktail hour only. I feel like cocktail hour is the option for fun foods at a formal wedding. Dinner should be fairly elegant. Steak, chicken, fish options or pasta of some sort. If you are thinking budget, I believe Italian catering is fairly affordable

How formal is formal? And what kind of BBQ?

We had a casual-vibe wedding in so far as relaxed atmosphere, rustic hall, canned beer in galvanized coolers. But guests still wore dresses/slacks, bridal party was formal, and table settings were not rustic. We felt that with this kind of odd combo, BBQ was fine as long as we did particular options (ie not baked beans, pulled pork, corn on the cob). By serving roast chicken, rib tips, collard greens, and mac n cheese (husband's main request for the wedding) we were still able to provide a non-messy fork & knife BBQ dinner.

We're doing a pretty casual, laid back wedding. As of now, we're planning on doing a taco and baked potato bar/buffet as the meal. I've been to one with BBQ, but it was very laid back, not formal in the least.

I don't think it's tacky to serve BBQ however I do think it depends on the serving style (plated vs. buffet or family style) and the venue. My cousin had her wedding in San Luis Obispo, CA at a barn, and I had some of the best Santa Maria BBQ! My fiance and I love Santa Maria BBQ and we also plan on having it catered at our rustic/boho wedding next year.

I love BBQ (and at weddings too).... However if the wedding is formal, it is not something I would expect to be served. It's also sort of messy if I am wearing formal attire. I'd probably stick to the normal plated, multi course, typical formal food that is easier on your guests to eat.

BBQ is a fabulous idea!

We’re doing the same. No shame! Do what you will love eating. No one remembers pork and mashed potatoes and salad. Everyone will remember the deliciousness that is bbq and slaw with some good ol Mac and cheese and cheesy jalapeño corn bread. OMG I need BBQ right now

I don't think so! You can make it look nice and everyone will love it!