Food trucks at reception!

Following! Interested in how this would work best if there's only one truck with lines etc.

We're having a food truck, a BBQ truck specifically.

My co-worker had a food truck at her wedding, it was tacos. She said it went very well and everyone enjoyed it!!

So we only want food trucks. I've read that you need 1 truck for every 75 guests. We choose an Italian sandwhich truck, a gyro truck and a taco truck. There will be plenty of food and variety but now I am having second thoughts... Will the food be too messy for people all dressed up? What will the back up plan be of it rains (4/2/16 is wedding date)? The dinnerware will obviously be very casual like the boats or plastic plates and I'm not sure how I feel about that, and lastly- there won't be any sides- is that a problem?? Someone out there had to have the answers... thanks!!

Ok. I've got 150ish guests, and we're only having one truck. However, the truck will be open for 3 hours during the reception and we won't be having a formal dinner time; guests can eat whenever they're ready. We're having an outdoor wedding at an inn adjacent to the ocean in a palm tree garden, and it's going to be a casual affair with a very short ceremony. Think luxury picnic. I do think it would be more difficult to eat street food in formal attire. We've got tents reserved as a backup plan for rain. Our truck will be serving a full meal of entrees and sides, and we'll also have salads.

I think the whole idea of food trucks is to be something you eat on the go and super casual. I think it's a great idea and able to give people the option of mingling but, still able to eat.

1 truck for 150 guests? ?? That's gonna be a looooooong wait.

Our guests will be at a BBQ more so than a traditional wedding. Some will eat right away, others later on. Some will go right for BBQ. Others will start at the appetizer and snack tables. I just don't think 150 people will line up at once, but FWIW, I see this same truck crank out 250 dinners a night in 45 minutes or less because the truck serves from two sides. (It's more of a trailer than a truck, so there's no window and several people can be served at once almost like a counter.)

How did I miss that you're doing this too, Zoe?! That makes me so excited! I am having two trucks for my wedding - a taco/Mexican truck as well as a sushi/Hibachi truck. Even getting two trucks, the cost was a lot less than most traditional caterers in my area. I am inviting 85, and I am doing the same thing as Zoe - having the trucks open for three hours with announcements to help yourself whenever you want, and get as much as you want! Our venue is smaller, and I didn't want to dedicate an entire room inside to a buffet. I have been to a wedding on site there with that set up and it was hard to move around the venue. Instead our trucks will be right outside the front.

I'm still in the process of this obviously since my wedding isn't until May, but I've been slowly buying things to dress up my food - I got brightly colored nice dinner napkins (still paper, but heavyweight) in our colors, and I'm going to have three cutlery caddies so each truck plus our dessert table will have silverware and napkins and look a little dressed up. We are also getting some appetizer trays from a fancier supermarket in the area - more international cuisine since that is our favorite; stuff like Moroccan couscous as well as traditional crudités.

Are you worried about the messiness wolf and Zoe?

I had a friend go to a wedding with only 1 food truck. There were huge lines... They left early because they were so hungry. Some food trucks take much longer than others to make the meal. So check on that. :3

For the after party? Excellent. For the actual dinner? No way. This is a trend I would like to see go away. Your wedding is not lunch on Tuesday.

How much are these food trucks??? My wedding is over at 1am and I was thinking of having some munchies for the guests. This would be a good idea for that, I wouldn't just have a food truck though.

We are also doing a food truck for our reception. Unlimited meal and sides. I don't have my final guest count but I am paying for 86 people. Casual setting in a park. Not sure I would've went this route if our reception was a formal event. With so many other options available I won't be concerned with the lines.

ETA: We are paying around $28-$30 PP and we are also having a Gelato Truck for dessert

Not super impressed with the late night food options at our venue, might need to look into one of these. Also as long at there are tables for people to sit or stand at and eat it shouldn't be as messy.

I like the idea of food truck but please consider more than one for 175 guests, or they will spend the night waiting! Exemple one Mexican food truck one Thai food truck and one burger food truck which ever your preference. There is only space for 3/4 staff per food truck it takes a long time to serve 175 guests.

I went to a wedding that ended fairly late (around midnight) and they used a couple of food trucks for a midnight snack. It was amazing but they did have a regular meal as well. The food trucks got there around 1030ish.

My wedding is also in a park. I'm not worried about mess; I've eaten at both trucks a lot and the food is easy to manage. I'm also planning on asking them if there are nicer plastic plates/bowls etc I could buy for them to use so they will be more rigid.

It isn't for everyone, but our friends and family know how much we love food trucks and I wanted made to order meals (and my hibachi truck includes seared tuna steaks). I wanted something that would actually great food for the vegan and vegetarian family and friends. I will be happy to report back afterward too!

I LOVE that idea. I just might run it by FH. I've never been to a food truck wedding, but I have been to other parties with a similar guest list as a wedding. They were very memorable, delicious, and so much fun! I would definitely suggest having more than one truck though. Pizza and BBQ? Burgers and roast beef sandwiches? I like the ideas posted before me about doing Mexican and Thai or something like that.

Nikkell, I would have thought it would be more expensive. I will have to look in to that. Gelato truck is a great idea too.

Dalena, your choices sound great. Don't second guess yourself. The food might be messy, but if the wedding is that casual I would probably wear a cotton sundress as a guest that I can throw in the wash. As for rain, I've already decided that unless it's a hurricane, everybody can just party in the rain. I'll get big tents of course, but I have no problem dancing in the rain

@Erica - It actually was cheaper than that at $22 PP. I wanted sides and unlimited so it brought the price up. But considering I was quoted $80 PP for a formal sitting the extra price didn't seem so bad. The Gelato truck was about $5 PP - four hours serving, five flavors, unlimited toppings. They even offered to make a Gelato cake but my FW hates cake. I am with WolfWedding that everyone I spoke to the food would have to be pre-made and then reheated once they arrived at the park. My family is so picky and food was important to me. I wanted a made to order option. Although I am not concerned with the lines, it is good advice to just be aware of them and pay attention on the day of for possible issues.