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Dedicated September 2019

Is this tacky?

Diane, on January 25, 2018 at 10:45 PM Posted in Planning 0 14

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Our date is 12/30/18 in southern Chicago suburbs, and we're still shopping for a reception venue (cue anxiety). We have a very small budget (kick that anxiety up a notch). Our ceremony will be at a beautiful greenhouse, and we got an awesome quote for a reception at a local golf course. Now, our wedding is going to be nice and pretty, but casual as we are a laid back couple. When I say casual, I mean no seating plan, I'm making the favors, cupcakes instead of a cake, etc. Here's where the "is this tacky?" Question comes in...

The event coordinator at the golf course has been awesome and is working with our small budget with meal options and an open bar, which FH will not budge on. One of the options was a pizza buffet with tons of options... which would bring my food to $15/head. What would your thoughts be if you were a guest and saw that?

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14 Comments

Latest activity by Daria, on January 30, 2018 at 5:25 PM

VIP May 2018
Red Queen · on January 25, 2018 at 10:49 PM
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You do you, if that's what works. Honestly, I wouldn't want to eat pizza if I was wearing a fancy dress. If I knew it was a more casual reception and I dressed down, that would work for me. I like pizza. Make sure you have salads and other options as well for guests who don't.
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Super May 2018
Nikki · on January 25, 2018 at 10:57 PM
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If I’m going to a country club wedding I’m going to dress up more than I would if I were going to one at like the park or something. I think I’d side eye a pizza buffet for a minute because it isn’t congruent to the atmosphere you’d expect. But I love pizza so I’d get over it pretty quick. I’d see about maybe adding a couple pastas and salad so it’s more like an Italian buffet which feels nicer than just pizza.
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Master January 2019
FutureMrsKC · on January 25, 2018 at 11:03 PM
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I’d definitely ask about an Italian buffet or even bbq. Those are usually the cheapest options. Pizza & county club don’t really mix. I’d also not want to eat greasy pizza in a dress and heels unless it’s the end of the night and I’m trying to soak up my alcohol.
Food aside, I’d still REALLY strongly advise to make a seating plan. Seating plans are not formal. Simple assign tables but not chairs. People sit faster and they don’t have to rush to sit with their family or find a table with two chairs open. Families and couples want to sit together. If they happen to be the last people to stroll in the room and there are only single chairs left at tables I’d be pretty upset.
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Dedicated June 2018
Julie · on January 26, 2018 at 1:00 AM
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You could have Lou Malnati’s. I know your plate/head would sky rocket. I think you know your guests bests along with the cc and if you guys feel as though pizza for the wedding is what you want to be served than I say go for it. I know each of us want to have our own unquieness about our weddings and if it’s serving pizza at yours that’s fine. End the end you’re going to be the person that remembers it the best. If you do pizza maybe also do like some pastas. I don’t think it’s tadky if that’s what you guys want.
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Expert October 2017
Adriana · on January 26, 2018 at 5:10 AM
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Nothing to say about the pizza, if there is enough food, and some other options, at least salad and maybe pasta, I think it’s okay. I’d make sure your invitations and website, if your doing one, reflect “causal.” However PLEASE do a seating chart. It doesn’t have to be elaborate or expensive. And it’s really not “formal.” My cousin didn’t have one at her wedding and it was a complete disaster. So many people “saving” seats, so many people standing around like “what do I do?” It was just awkward.
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Devoted April 2018
Rafittah · on January 26, 2018 at 5:48 AM
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Also remember you do not have a date until you have a venue secured.
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VIP September 2018
EngineerInLove · on January 26, 2018 at 8:44 AM
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When you say golf course, I don't know if you mean a public course with a restaurant or a country club. If it's the former then I think a pizza buffet could work, if it's the latter it might look out of place. HOWEVER, if that is what you and FH want and can afford, I would happily enjoy the pizza and open bar and cupcakes you have.

However, as PPs posted please do at least table assignments! Otherwise it's very middle-school cafeteria where you're standing there with your tray looking for friends or enough open seats at a table.
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Super September 2019
An · on January 26, 2018 at 9:39 AM
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I would have to see the venue. As a guest, I look at the venue & invite to see what I should wear, and if this is a mid-upscale venue, I would be dressing up. If I was dressing up, I would be disappointed by pizza. Is there a huge cost increase for alternate menus? I would go with Italian or BBQ as PPs have said if that is an option.
Also echoing what PPs have said about a seating chart. There is literally no reason not to have one and you will save yourself and your guests from a lot of issues by creating one.
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Master July 2018
RZ_ToBe · on January 26, 2018 at 11:22 AM
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If you mention being fairly casual to your guests, I think you can't go wrong with pizza. Pizza is always delicious! I stress mentioning casual wear though because of the grease that may end up on clothes. Plus, offer forks and knives for those that want to be extra careful.
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Devoted September 2018
Mac2Bee · on January 26, 2018 at 11:25 AM
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Your page says you are getting married at Birdhaven? It's absolutely breathtaking there.

What golf course are you looking at and with what kind of guest list? There are TONS of options in that area that can work with a smaller budget.
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January 2018
Private User · on January 26, 2018 at 11:59 AM
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It's Chicago! Pizza would make sense. Is it deep dish? Maybe you could play up your love for Chicago so it would fit a theme.
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Beginner September 2018
FutureMrsS · on January 29, 2018 at 4:57 PM
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Definitely do pizza! Just make sure you have other food items, too, like salad and pasta as some people mentioned. Personally I wouldn't care if I were wearing a fancy dress and pizza was served - I'd be pumped. I find most wedding food to be very boring. But you could maybe make mention of the menu on your wedding website (if you have one) or with the invitations or something, just so no one is surprised when they get there.
I know you didn't ask about this, but some advice - PLEASE do table assignments. You don't have to assign everyone to a specific seat, just assign people to tables. Your guests are going to be lost without it. They will have flashbacks to their middle school lunchroom, wandering around trying to find a seat.
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Dedicated September 2018
Gina · on January 30, 2018 at 5:07 PM
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As someone from Chicago who's FH is a Pizza Tour Guide, trust me when I say if you're doing good pizza then almost everyone will love it. Unless it is really bad quality, I've never heard complaints. lol! I went to a wedding that offered pizza and it was a BIG hit. Pizza is generally a crowd pleaser and if you aren't going for the super fancy vibe, it will be fine.
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VIP January 2019
Daria · on January 30, 2018 at 5:25 PM
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I think if you can do gourmet pizzas...think toppings like artichoke hearts, prosciutto, artisan cheeses...
Add some salad options and maybe pasta...it can be done.
If it's like, pepperoni and onions and I could've got it at Dominoes? That's a no from me.
If you don't want to do a seating chart, are you picturing more of a cocktail style reception than a sit down dinner? If you expect people to sit and eat for dinner, you should assign tables, but not necessarily seats.
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