Buying Apps not through Caterer??

I would ask your caterer and venue if that's ok? because some caterers and venues will charge you a fee for doing outside food

My caterer/venue wouldn’t have allowed that so I’d check your contract.

Agree with Melle on if venue allows this or charges any sort of fees. Also you have to keep in mind someone has to be delegated to go get the food trays, set it up, bring plates/napkins/cutlery, and clean it all up afterwards. You and fiancé won’t be doing it because you’ll be busy being hosts so if you have willing friends/family it can work with careful planning.


Also idk if this is applicable for your wedding, but with covid rules open food like that is not really a great idea. Prepackaged snacks is a safer less-touch option for cocktail hour snacks. Also it saves a ton of money and if you have leftovers it won’t go bad afterwards like food trays.

View Quoted Comment I wish I could edit my post, but it won’t let me. The contracts do not say I can’t, and my venue allows it. I’m just wondering if it is rude or if it’s ok/normal?


I have a few friends and family members that have offered to set it out after the ceremony. It will all be pre-cut, so we don’t have to do that stuff. Also, I’m not concerned about COVID. The way it would be available to guests would be safe.

View Quoted Comment Contracts don’t mention it and the venue said it’s fine.

Many venues do not allow food that doesn't come from a licensed insured caterer for food safety and liabilty issues. That is doubly enforced with Covid restrictions in place.


Negotiate with your caterer what can be done to trade off a soup/salad course or extra dinner option for an additional appetizer selection. You would be surprised at what they may be willing to do but you won't know till you ask.

View Quoted Comment Venue said it’s fine. And it’s not mentioned in the catering contract. Even if there was a fee, as long as it’s not more than $500 we would save money.

View Quoted Comment The venue allows it, and it’s not mentioned in The catering contract. We don’t have anything to trade food wise, so that’s not an option. The way the apps would be available to guests would be COVIS safe, so that’s not a concern. Just looking to see if it is rude to do this or if it’s normal.

Most reputable caterers and venues do not allow this, so it's surprising that yours are ok with it. That being said, a charcuterie board and self serve fruit and veggie trays during Covid is a disaster waiting to happen. For the sake of the health and safety of your guests, please do not do this.

View Quoted Comment This doesn’t answer my question, but thanks for your input. I can’t edit my original post so you probably didn’t see, but I’ve mentioned in the comments that the way it would be available to guests is COVID safe, so that is not a concern and we will be having these apps available. I’m just not sure if I’m going to go through my caterer or Costco. Asking for opinions on if it is rude to do this or if it’s a normal thing...

View Quoted Comment It's not normal but you can do it.

View Quoted Comment

Oh ok. I suppose if your caterer is able to serve the food in a Covid-safe way, then this would be doable. I don't know if it's rude because it's not normal, but you could do it.

It's normal. We did it. Got our apps from Walmart.

Great question! We were thinking of doing the same. Venue and caterer are contractually fine with it, so our concern is just if they raise it on the day of and make an issue? I haven’t seen it done before, which also makes us hesitate.
We are over a year out, so waiting to decide until we have a better idea if COVID will make the decision about open food (from any source) for us. Let us know what you decide!

I’m not sure it’s necessarily rude but it’s possibly a bit tacky in my opinion depending on the level of formal your wedding will be. If it’s a formal night affair I would just go with the caterer as long as it’s within your budget. There are lots of places to cut costs but I’ve always felt the food (and photography) is worth the splurge since it’s probably the one if the only things people will remember about your wedding

View Quoted Comment We are very informal, and food is not a priority for us. Photography is for sure though, as well as keeping it laid back and not formal. We are having a taco bar for the dinner 🌮, and have been very non traditional about almost everything. Some people might think it’s tacky, but we are just trying to stay true to us.

I’m sure it depends on each caterer. I told mine that we were going to do our own cheese, meat, and fruit tray and they were totally okay with it. They told us to just put it in the fridge and they would sit it out for us and watch the temperature.

I am surprised your caterer doesn't have something about this in the contract, since it's a potential liability. In my mind, it's no different than bringing your own food to a restaurant.

View Quoted Comment Actually, when we were signing the contract I told our caterer that their policies were too flexible and they should revise them because they could get screwed over lol. It really is like the most flexible contract we have, I was surprised.


I also kind of agree with you about it being very similar to bringing your own food to a restaurant, which is why I was asking. I really don’t want to offend them even by asking them about it.

I don't see an issue with it especially if it saves you a bunch of money! Go for it girl! You mentioned that it is informal and laid back wedding so there really is no reason that you can't!