Food at Reception Help... Tacky?

Pasta...that always seems to be a hit and it would be relatively inexpensive.

I second that, huge volumes of pasta are 1) easy to make 2) easy to store and reheat on the day of 3) everyone likes pasta 4) very cheap! If you wanted you ladies could get together the week before the wedding, put together the pasta in foil trays (with lids), and store it at someone's house. You'd only have to make sure that was a location to reheat it at the venue. If you're using some type of church hall or vfw hall that usually isn't a problem.

The pasta idea is great!

Mmm pasta. lol every one does usually love pasta. especially fh, he LOVES alfredo

We are having a potluck reception but all our family jumped at helping us. also if there is someone you know makes the best fod item you could always ask them to cook instead of a gift

I definitely agree with the pasta route. It's quick and easy plus you can have marinara sauce and alfredo sauce. Add some garlic bread and salad and you're good to go.

I agree with the pasta idea. Add a green salad and some bread and you have a meal.

How many people will you be feeding?

I would definitely not ask guests to bring food.

Ive actually been putting the word out with my family about needing food. I have a friend from work who is going to fry some chicken, my cousin is making veggie platters, my mom is making potato and macaroni salads and my sister is going to help with fruit, meat and cheese platters. I am still hoping that I can hand a few more of the platters off. I also cut the cost of the cake by having a close friend of mine bake some of her yummy banana bread.

Every single wedding in my family (I am serious about this every single one) has had my family pitch in on the food. My mom made mostaccioli for 200 people for my cousins wedding and it only took a day. I would suggest having close family do it instead of a potluck. If they all get one dish it is seriously doable.

I think having family help with the food is a good idea. I think asking guests to bring food is tacky.

The pasta idea is great. Just a warning with Alfredo sauce. Since it is made with cheese and cream it can be expensive. Also, i would avoid long pasta (spag., angel hair, etc.) since eating it can be messy. You can cook the pasta ahead of time and add a little olive oil to it to stop sticking. Then store in the fridge. I make my own red sauce and freeze it. You can keep it in the frezzer for up to 3 months. Good luck.

You can find a caterer who will make you great tasting informal food for under $10 a person. look in your phone book and make phone calls. there is no reason to do a pot luck. we got my sisters graduation party catered for 150 people for around $400 with tons and tons of food.

Definitely tacky to do a potluck. please come to my wedding and bring a dish to pass. no way. there is always another option.

Ours was

Bar B Q Tri Tip rented a bar b q and uncle did grilling

Mac Salad I made that week

Fettuccine/pesto I made that week

Tossed Green Salad bags picked up at Costco

Beans cans and stuff added, were great

Garlic/butter Sour dough french bread grilled over bar b q

Red/white wine

beer

Wedding cake

Thankfully my FML is going to make our wedding cake (and apparently our engagement cake when we have that party) - she just started her own pasty/cake business so I'm really excited about that. I really like the idea of pasta with the different sauces out. And good thinking about the long pasta, I'm not too worried but my FH is SO sloppy haha. Thanks for the all the GREAT ideas.

Ok- I'm going to be a huge voice of dissent! Do NOT do pasta! It's really difficult for many professional caterers to pull it off well (cold pasta salads are different), but warm pasta that isn't har dor sticky is difficult.

Plus, with my dietary issues, I can't eat pasta... so I wouldn't be able to eat anything. Hopefully none of your guests have that issue.

What about having an event earlier in the day where you can just do a cake and punch reception? Then, no food needed.

A potluck would be hard. Who wants to bring a hot dish and have it sit for 30 minutes to an hour while the ceremony is going on?

You can do inexpensive food. You can make alot of it yourself if your guest list is small enough and you do stuff you can make ahead of time.

My friend just recently got married and her mom, grandma, aunts and a few other people pitched in with making the food so that she wouldn'e have to worry about it. They had Italian sausages chicken skewers, cold turkey and roast beef rolls, baked beans, salad, potatoe salad, freash fruit and a few other things. They had purchased some catering type platters and stuff and the food looked and tasted great. I definately wouldn't do a pot luck, but have some a few close family members pitch in

I think it depends on your family and friends if they view it as tacky or distasteful. I am personally not having a wedding to please members of society. I am doing what is best for us, our families and friends. We are having a potluck type reception: veggie trays, meat trays, and our family and friends will be asked if they would like to bring their favorite dish they are welcome to. I wouldn't do pasta especially if it is a formal attire wedding because pasta sauce can be so messy.

I think a pasta bar would be so yummy and easy. Don't forget the green salad!

I like the idea of having your family and close freinds pitch in, but i think depending on your wedding you could do a potluck without it being tacky. like if it was a casual wedding. HOWEVER i think that if you came walking down the aisle in a 5k dress and asked people to bring food, that would be tacky.

Around here you can usually get a bbq spread (2 meats, buns, rolls, sides, ect) for about $8 a person. I second pasta, but be mindful of food allergies (I'm gluten intolerant and cannot have anything with wheat in it).