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Dedicated November 2019

No budget for food?

Laura, on August 31, 2019 at 1:04 AM Posted in Wedding Reception 0 33

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So last year a good friend of mine had a really small wedding (most invited to the reception weren't at the ceremony) and the reception was a potluck at their home. Everyone had a great time, the food was great, because we were at their home there was all kinds of entertainment, it was a blast. So I thought I would do that with my wedding reception.

However, since poking around on the internet, I've read horror stories about potlucks going horribly, food getting cold or going bad, people skipping the ceremony to cook, etc. Thing is, I barely have the money to put on this wedding in the first place. I was going to just do a courthouse wedding, but my mom really wanted a ceremony. Considering she paid for the venue and is paying for my dress, I can't complain. But if I don't somehow make a potluck work, I don't think I can have a reception at all. At the same time, it feels kind of impersonal to just I-do and run.

Does anyone have any advice? Anyone been in my shoes? It's not a big guest list, I don't even think we're over thirty people, but catering is so expensive.

It's literally only the people I'm closest to, and I want to be able to spend time with them that day outside of the ceremony.

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33 Comments

Latest activity by Catherine, on August 31, 2019 at 8:39 PM

Legend March 2017
Pirate & 60s Bride · on August 31, 2019 at 1:14 AM
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Don’t fret yet! Catering by a Mexican, Italian or BBQ restaurant may run you only $10-$20 per person. If that’s still too much, have your wedding at 2 pm and it’s perfectly acceptable to host a simple “cake & punch” reception. If you wanted to offer a meat & meat, or finger sandwich platter in addition, that would be plenty. 😊

Potlucks can definitely be risky, stressful and gross to guests not in your immediate family/friend circle. A chef just told me last week, food left out can be vulnerable to contamination within 90 minutes but personally he gets concerns around 45 minutes. Yikes.
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Dedicated November 2019
Laura · on August 31, 2019 at 1:23 AM
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I was already planning my wedding at about 2pm anyways, so I guess I feel better that it wouldnt be too out there to not do proper food. (We've already paid for a wedding cake so we at least have that.) Even just doing a $10 per person for 30 people would make me have to forgo a photographer or cancel my hair and makeup that I've already almost forgone once before I realized buying makeup would be more expensive than hiring the artist.

I intend to talk to my mom about it too. She's not wealthy, she just got an amount of money when my grandparents passed and wanted to use some to help me out, but at the same time I don't want to take advantage.
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Master October 2019
Laura · on August 31, 2019 at 1:23 AM
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We're having a very low-budget wedding, and we found a chicken place that comes to about $6 per person. I would maybe check local places on Facebook, like asking for recommendations for affordable places in your area. Some grocery stores even have food trays that are really affordable.
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Champion August 2017
Mrsbdg · on August 31, 2019 at 1:27 AM
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Hi! I am the poster child for being personally victimized by self-catering (mostly because my body hates food and the world). Please please please please don’t take on the personal liability and stress of self catering.

Other options are having a cake and cocktails reception (various desserts and drinks after dinner time) during a non-meal time. You could also do an apps and drinks (typically between lunch and dinner) reception (catering for small plates can occasionally be cheaper especially Mexican and Italian).

If you need help finding a budget caterer we can help. Give us a location and budget :-)
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Dedicated November 2019
Laura · on August 31, 2019 at 1:34 AM
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Plano, Texas and practically-nothing is my budget, but more realistically no more than a couple hundred if I still want any decor at all. Or someone to hold a camera and take pictures. I don't think I could cut the guest list any more if I tried, I've already gotten flak for not inviting my aunt and the only family my fiance is having there is his mom, dad, and step dad. An apps only reception might be an idea. I've already got the cake paid for (I don't know why, but a cake was really important to me; I even got custom cake toppers last year before we even set a date) so we have at least one edible thing that will be there.
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Expert October 2020
L. Thomson · on August 31, 2019 at 1:37 AM
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My budget is really tight as well. My sister and I are smoking 60lbs of pork butt roasts to make pulled pork sandwiches. I'm planning to freeze the meat until the wedding (did this with a graduation party, worked great!). Then just putting them in slow roasters we will turn on before going to the ceremony. Buns, potato salad, macaroni salad, and baked beans from Walmart. This for me will feed 60, and for under $200.

Don't know if that will fit in your budget, but maybe it will help.
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Just Said Yes September 2019
Tandem · on August 31, 2019 at 1:41 AM
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Hi. Congratulations!
What about skipping food and going straight to a banana split bar?! Vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup, caramel, strawberry syrup , whipped cream, chopped nuts and cherries for the top. 🍌🍓🍧🍨
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VIP May 2020
Destiny · on August 31, 2019 at 2:17 AM
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We're doing a cook out maybe do that
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Dedicated November 2019
Laura · on August 31, 2019 at 2:18 AM
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I appreciate everyone's responses. I feel a lot better about doing something else. I will have a cake, so maybe having some finger foods or cheese plates would be good for just an afternoon. Thanks for the encouragement! Trying to do this on a microscopic budget has been tough, so this thread helped.
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Super July 2020
D · on August 31, 2019 at 2:43 AM
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You can get fried or grilled chicken at the grocery store and keep it warm in the oven. Usually 8 pieces is about $9-10. I would think 6, 8 piece servings would be enough for 30 people. 2 crock pots of beans, maybe $15 in beans, some potato salad another $15-20 and a fruit like watermelon it adds up to about $105-120. Just serve water and lemonade in pitchers. You can buy pitchers for a dollar.
Call ahead to let them know how much chicken you'll be needing.
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Super October 2020
Megan · on August 31, 2019 at 6:46 AM
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You already have a cake, that’s great! Why don’t you just add some punch and champagne, and make it a low-key get-together? Cake and punch is a good budget option. I hope this helped!
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Expert October 2019
Jess · on August 31, 2019 at 6:51 AM
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We’re having the appetizers catered and then doing a potluck. ours is a pretty small wedding as well but we were just really specific and accommodating with everyone’s needs. we also suggested store bought stuff as well so that there wasn’t any pressure from us for anyone to make anything fancy or gourmet since some people are from out of town as well.
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Devoted August 2019
Ali · on August 31, 2019 at 6:57 AM
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You could order pizzas
Spaghetti is always super cheap you could do different pastas
Order the huge subs and cut them all up
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Legend November 2019
Caytlyn · on August 31, 2019 at 7:27 AM
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Totally agree with this! Cake and punch is a great option for an afternoon reception.
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Master September 2019
Sarah · on August 31, 2019 at 8:07 AM
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I agree with this. Maybe pick up a few veggie trays or a crackers and meat tray to add some savory options.
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VIP December 2019
Michelle · on August 31, 2019 at 8:41 AM
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I agree with this or just cake and punch. Or just get some platters from walmart like wings, veggies,cheese and crackers and make a fruit tray or fruit salad and some pasta salad
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VIP February 2020
Julie · on August 31, 2019 at 9:16 AM
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Finger sammiches and baby wraps. You can make it the night before and keep everything safe in the fridge on platters until after everyone arrives. If you use things like veggies and cold cuts it usually has enough salt/preservatives. We keep it in the fridge anyway. Cucumber sandwiches, ham and cheese? Maybe offer tea? It could be cute.
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Expert October 2020
Sara · on August 31, 2019 at 9:49 AM
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What about sandwiches and some salads? You could get a nice sandwich spread at like Costco or a local grocery store then throw together a salad and maybe like some macaroni or potato salad some chips you could fancy it up with different sandwich spreads?

Or apps and cake. You can get some frozen apps from Costco just stick them in oven heat up some chips, guac, different dips, some veggies and dip then just cake. Just think outside the box and search search search. If ur doing ur own food do crockpot stuff. I've had a lot of success with home parties and crockpot. Keeps stuff warm and ends up being filling comfort type food. pulled pork, sausage and peppers, Meatballs throw out some rolls and u have 6 different meat options meat alone, or meat sandwiches

Also talk to restaurants don't go off there websites. A lot of people will want to work with u.
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Devoted September 2019
Farrah · on August 31, 2019 at 9:55 AM
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I second pizza! Pizza is always the less stressful option when it comes to feeding a group.
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Master October 2021
Sexypoodle · on August 31, 2019 at 10:45 AM
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That’s unfortunate. Not sure why your mother would put you in a financially strained position. Sounds like you were right in wanting a courthouse wedding because it would eliminate this concern.
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