Dinner invitations

I do also agree. Some food should be provided. You could maybe reduce costs by having appetizers durning a non meal time, like maybe 2pm? Instead of a full sit down dinner? Ceremony and appy hour....? I had a friend that did a potluck style dinner too. I personally didn’t like that because there was so many people making food without food safe protocols lol but I was the odd one out, most thought is was a cool idea and she saved a bunch of money 😊

I agree with the PPs. There is no way to do what you're asking without being rude and offending people. Guests should not have to pay for their dinner when invited to weddings, under any circumstance. I would recommend exactly what Jana said: either cut down your guest list so that you can afford the cost of food or have a cake a punch reception at a non-meal time.

Yeah, this is a

1. Postpone until you can afford to feed everyone

or

2. Cake and punch reception at a non-meal time.

Anything else will ... go over poorly with most people.

I’ve been thinking of an idea possibly if I have to downsize wedding and maybe you could do this. The next day, have an open house at your new home. Sort of come by and share a drink and conversation with us and celebrate our union. Offer light appetizers and punch, Tea, coffee etc plus dessert for people to stop by. Your b list. But no way should you invite people to come and pay.

I agree with everyone else here. The other option is to do a morning wedding and serve a light brunch afterwards. Brunch tends to be much cheaper, so you could do a full meal, if the cake/punch reception isn't what you want.

I agree with others. You could always change it to a non meal time and provide desserts or appetizers. Even check out your local grocery store or a Sam's Club/Costco/BJ's because then you can order sheet cake/cookies/desserts or even appetizer like fruit/vegetable platters, chicken, cocktail shrimp, etc.

There are even restaurants out there (like Chipotle or something similar) where you can feed people only a few dollars pp.

I would postpone until you can afford to properly host everyone. An afternoon cake and punch reception is another budget friendly option to consider.

I think cake and punch. Dips like spinach dip, artichoke dip, cheese molds, chicken salad and a nice fruit or vegetable tray, or chicken Alfredo, is always cheap and in order. You can always throw a bag of shrimp into one of those dips.

That's still considered very rude.

I think a cake and punch reception is your best bet. Maybe you could tell your close family and friends that you and your FH are going out for dinner later that day if they would like to join. When my parents/brother/close friends ask me to join them for dinner, I don't expect that they will pay for me.