Food Situation

I never participate in potlucks (we seem to have them periodically at work). I have zero idea as to the cleanliness of people's kitchens, or how they kept their dish at the proper temperature. If it was just my immediate/close family (like we all bring dishes for holidays).... I would have no problem but anything beyond that and I wouldn't feel safe eating. You also would be liable if anyone got food poisoning. This was not something I considered for my wedding. Thankfully i've never been invited to a potluck wedding so it's clearly not a thing in my area/circles.

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Lol, i get ya!

You have two years to save enough to hire a professional caterer. This will be less stressful for you and more beneficial to your guests in the long run.

I had a co-worker tell me she did this with her family. It was a potluck wedding, and she was shocked by the confusion on my face. Apparently, it's a rather common thing for some cultures. I'm not really a fan because I want the guests to not need to worry about it. They have so many other details they may need to concern themselves with to even make it to the wedding (such as traveling expenses or child care).

But at the same time, I'm doing food trucks, so that may be seen equally as bad (or almost equally) by a germophobe. One of the trucks I'm talking to (a taco truck) is only $780 for 65 people. I think that's a great cost saver for something quirky, but still having catering.

Don’t do it!
I went to a wedding like this a few weeks ago. Granted it was super country and casual. But it was terrible.
Inate a few bites to be polite but I left and then got food.

I think this is a “know your crowd” type of thing. If you want a pot luck styled reception I personally don’t think anything wrong with it, but it’s my own oppinion and may/may not matter. It’s just funny cause the one side of my family caters everything. Hardly anything is home made for any type of family function (which is fine!). The other side is pot luck only, “gotta have aunt sues chili!” Type family. Nothing wrong with either, it’s just funny with two different crowds. But do what’s best for you and your crowd. Maybe ask your nearest and dearest If they think that’ll work

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When you host guests it's not just "your" wedding anymore because you've invited people. If you can't afford to accommodate your guests food you either have a cake and punch reception or have less guests. I've planned my entire wedding for under $5k and we aren't having guests provide anything. I used a restaurant for catering.

The reason potluck weddings are dangerous is the risk of food poisoning and illness, your guests aren't insured like a caterer and are at a risk for lawsuit if anyone gets really sick. Even if "no one would do that" you still have a risk of guests being super sick from your wedding food or having an allergic reaction and that's not the best memory you want to have.

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Definitely paying and having alcohol at my wedding lol. I do have two years to save but I'm also in college and paying out of pocket for that each semester so trying to save money where I can. Plus, it's basically an all family wedding, very few friends. I am planning on figuring out how much food we will need for a guest list of 250 people and then discuss specifics about what kind of food to make.

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Your problem is right there - 250 people is a MASSIVE wedding. Large weddings and small budgets do not go hand-in-hand. Minimize your guest list by a lot and serve them properly. I invited only 50 people so I can ensure everyone was properly accommodated.

Also most venues, especially ones able to accommodate that amount, will not allow non-insured catering. Just setting that expectation for you.

I would go with a no on that idea. I got married 10-11-18 and people that said oh yeah we wouldnt miss it for anything ended up not even coming. We had 60 less people then what rsvped.

In my opinion...if your close with the majority of your guests..I dont see a problem in it! If my friend or family member got married and asked me to bring a dish I wouldn't mind at all... I obviously care about my friends and family and are happy for them and making some pasta salad isnt hard...lol

Https://www.wbaltv.com/article/exposure-to-feces-at-neighborhood-party-in-north-carolina/22039538

This is is why I don’t agree with pot luck weddings. One mistake and 18 people hospitalized.

I get wanting to save money, but you’re risking illness and food shortage. Those are two things I wouldn’t want to risk at a wedding.

I’ve been to a wedding like this. It was awful. People only made small portions of stuff that didn’t feed even a quarter of the people there. All food ran out and lots of people were hungry

You’re a college student who doesn’t have much money yet you’re inviting 250 people to your wedding and asking them to cook? Uh, no. If you want a huge wedding, then wait until you can afford to cater the food, or drastically cut your list down. The food doesn’t have to be fancy or a fortune.

I agree with what almost everyone has said here, but I have one thing to add that I haven't seen.

Definitely don't ask anybody to do anything instead of bringing a gift. A gift is not required to attend a wedding.

Also, a 250-person potluck sounds like a total nightmare. I could see this maybe working at a small, family-only wedding. I still think it's rude but the logistics are reasonable. At a 250-person wedding? No way.

View Quoted Comment I agree with all of this.

I love a good potluck, but it's not appropriate for a wedding. First off, you are hosting a party therefore you provide the refreshments. Be it a buffet, cake and punch, food trucks or a sit down dinner. Potlucks are a communal decision.
It's a huge liability, which is why most venues won't allow it. Depending on where you are planning on having this reception, it could be illegal per your county's laws. Also, if one dish is tainted, you are the one that will be held responsible for paying for everything medically. That is the good outcome, bad outcome could bury you in lawsuits. Just look at the amount of produce recalls, meat recalls such you see in each year.

Cut your guest list, start pricing caterers. Figure out a reasonable amount you can spend per guest. There are so many inexpensive options that take the stress and liability off of you. Don't start your married life in debt and in court.

Please don’t do this. Food allergies, cleanliness, and food temperature are some major things to consider. Another is liability. Who is covering medical bills if someone gets food poisoning and ends up in the hospital?

View Quoted Comment I think food trucks are a great idea! I always Wanted to do that but getting married in October in Michigan it wasn’t happening lol but I think that’s great!

For a small backyard wedding, it could work - I would supply the main dish. For anything bigger than 50 people I would avoid this.