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Dedicated November 2019

No budget for food?

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Laura, on August 31, 2019 at 1:04 AM

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

Legend March 2017
Pirate & 60s Bride · on August 31, 2019 at 10:54 AM
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Oh then don’t stress! For a 2 pm wedding, a cake reception is fine. 😊
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VIP March 2019
Yoice · on August 31, 2019 at 10:57 AM
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Exactly this!
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Dedicated November 2019
Laura · on August 31, 2019 at 11:03 AM
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It's not that I /wanted/ a courthouse wedding persay, but that's what we could afford. She offered to help with some of the costs for a ceremony (at first it was going to be a backyard wedding, then she offered to pay for a venue; a friend is officiating, I'm DIYing the decor myself, I was going to DIY the makeup but it turned out the MUA was cheaper than buying makeup, you get the idea) and I'm sure if I asked she would help with the food, but that doesnt give me the almost thousand that most catering would cost even with a small guest list. I've been to all of two wedding in my life and only one was anything close to 'traditional' so I just don't know what's considered appropriate. Sounds like an early afternoon wedding it's fine to not serve a full course dinner. I'm still going to explore ways to still have friends contribute, maybe with cold sides or something, because my friend circle has always bonded over good food and conversation.
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Super November 2021
Alejandra · on August 31, 2019 at 11:09 AM
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Like others have suggested, maybe doing your cake and some champagne or punch and some apps would be delicious. If you’ve already got cake I would try to add just a little something salty to balance it out. What if you got some wings from Jewel or your local grocery store? Honestly Jewel’s wings are delicious and fairly affordable. A few pounds should run you about $30-40, throw in some celery and carrots and ranch and you’re golden don’t fret. The day is about you and your fiancé and celebrating your love, and that love is the same with or without a catered meal.
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January 2019
MOB So Cal · on August 31, 2019 at 12:06 PM
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Cake & punch, and some purchased light snacks & beverages sound awesome. Even if your friends are willing to provide sides/potluck, take the potential risks seriously. Although it seems unlikely, if someone were to become ill due to food served at your wedding that was not prepared/stored in accordance with legal standards, you and FH could be personally liable. Food poisoning & allergic reactions are all too common. MrsBdG's is just one of many cautionary tales on this forum about the possible devastating consequences of self-prepared/potluck food. And, it's not that your friends and family would choose to sue you if they became ill -- their insurance company and/or healthcare provider could sue you without your friends' involvement/consent. If inexpensive catering doesn't fit your budget, how would you pay for a court case? Much better to serve what you can afford that was prepared by a vendor who will bear the responsibility if something goes wrong. Good luck!
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Master January 2021
AshleyR · on August 31, 2019 at 12:58 PM
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You could do some sandwich platters and cheese/fruit platter or even a cold pasta salad from the supermarket, I suggest checking with your local supermarket to see what they offer.
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Master October 2021
Sexypoodle · on August 31, 2019 at 1:44 PM
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Have an 11am wedding and a brunch reception. Breakfast food is cheap and also there are some really cute things you can have with a brunch.
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Expert October 2019
Sara · on August 31, 2019 at 2:01 PM
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Do you have a time set yet? If you avoid mealtime you can get away with serving something lighter or doing something non traditional and more affordable. Cake and punch receptions are most known for this, but maybe an ice cream bar, hors deserves, or something simple can work
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VIP November 2019
Laura · on August 31, 2019 at 4:34 PM
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I would just stick with a cake & punch reception. Your budget is tight and trying to stretch it to cover more is just going to stress you out. My MOH had a cake & punch reception and no one batted an eye or complained about a lack of food.
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Super October 2019
W-K · on August 31, 2019 at 4:58 PM
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Yes! A cake and punch reception is perfectly fine. Even if you don’t have more snacks things either. We’re working with a mircroscopic budget as well and have chosen to forgo decor and make cuts in other areas in order to have a nice restaurant dinner with my family.
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Super August 2019
Samantha · on August 31, 2019 at 5:11 PM
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We went what we thought was the cheaper route by DIY catering once we had to fire our caterer. We found a great BBQ place that dropped off food for $550 for 30 people and then got snacks from Costco. But building our own bar and snacks and misc catering stuff we needed for serving, etc, it was such a hassle. If you can make it work great but the time it took was a pain for us. I don’t know what the total was, it was cheaper by some accounts but a bigger hassle. If I had to total everything up it was still between $**** which included beer, wine, drinks and 2 specialty cocktails.
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Dedicated October 2019
Lindsay · on August 31, 2019 at 5:29 PM
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I wouldn’t ask your guests to bring food, personally that would just stress me out having to cook something for a wedding. I would rather go to a reception and just have cake and have dinner myself before or after,
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May 2021
Catherine · on August 31, 2019 at 8:39 PM
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This right here is great, what a fun afternoon it will be
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