Pizza ok for reception?

I've seen a lot of people on here do pizza, but it's usually a truck or catering. Almost never just ordering a pile of pizzas. There's too many issues of keeping it hot and coordinated.

I’m a huge pizza fan and FH actually made that suggestion when we were at that stage of planning but (for me personally) I felt it was too informal and there really wasn’t a good way of serving it withought causing a buffet line and the pizza getting cold.

There is nothing semi formal about pizza. Pizza is casual. Especially if it isn’t artisan/wood fired pizzas from a caterer that’s restocking throughout the dinner hour.

If it fits in with the rest of the wedding it's fine. If, for example, you are wearing an expensive, elaborate ballgown, or have huge centerpieces full of expensive flowers, or the men are wearing tuxedos, it's a no go. Your guests will wonder why you spent money formal wear and flowers. If your dress is a simple cotton sundress, your flowers are small wildflower arrangements, and the guys are wearing slacks and open collared shirts, then I think pizza and salad would be a good choice.

I think pizza is acceptable. I'd happily eat it. Especially at a semi-formal event. Pizza can be done nicely if you bring in a more artisan style rather than pizza hut. You should bring in people for sure though because it is not at all semi-formal to have big stacks of pizza boxes, all half-picked through and strewn about. That is straight up casual bash. Plus the pizza will get cold and not everyone likes cold pizza. Not everyone will get the kind that they want if it's a random assortment and free for all. Consider alternative ways to do this

Pizza can totally be semi-formal! I’ve work in multiple high end hotels, and have seen even formal events with Pizza. It’s all about how you serve it.

I agree with PP about getting it catered, look st food trucks, or local pizza parlors. Having staff who either serve each table, or keep a buffet fresh will really help.

View Quoted Comment I loooove pizza but cold pizza is a no go! I'd also go the route of finding a caterer to make sure your guests get hot/warm pizza

Also please let guests know up front, I'm lactose intolerant and would have to have my lactaid pills handy! Not a big deal but man would I be bummed out if I was surprised and didn't have them.

I want pizza so bad now!

View Quoted Comment Oh my! I didn't even think of lactose intolerant people or gluten free individuals! Yes, OP! Let people know!
(I want pizza too lol)

Pizza in a cardboard box from any of the chains is not semi-formal. Artisanal pizza prepared on site could be, but it's stretching it. You'll need to also have salads. It would also be nice to add a couple of pasta dishes.

View Quoted Comment I totally agree with this. Either a caterer or a food truck (which I think can be super fun!). But you definitely need to let your guests know ahead of time. I have Celiac’s disease (gluten intolerance) and if someone was serving exclusively pizza at their wedding it would be rough for me.

I work for a mobile wood fired pizza truck on the weekends and we work weddings all the time. Find a pizza oven that offers interesting topping options, appetizers, and salad. Pricing will vary depending on where you are (in DC the company I work for charges $18.50/person, in Fairfield County, CT, they charged $35/person). I will be buffet style, and best (in my opinion) if people can come straight up to the tables at the truck instead of running them inside, but either is doable. Definitely think about gluten free options because although a place may offer appetizers and salad, flour is everywhere, all the time. Most mobile pizza trucks will also work farmers markets, so ou can likely try out their pies beforehand as well.

I went to a semi formal / slightly more on the casual side wedding that had wood fired pizza (slightly different situation since the venue had the oven built into their kitchen) and it was a huge hit! I totally agree it depends on the way it is served and what the level of quality the pizza is. It sounds like a mobile pizza oven company might work or if your venue has a good size kitchen if you could find a company that could make them fresh there (I'm not sure if this is a thing but it would be the most convenient I think).

View Quoted Comment I agree I have found some things on Pinterest that they do with the boxes but with our tablescapes and decor won't look good at all. Keeping it hot and filled is where I'm getting stuck. I know of a place near my house that has a pig pizza box bag that they use when they have big orders. And I've known them forever so maybe they will let me use their box to keep them warm. I would use them but we are an hour and a half away from the venue if they do let me use it i still have to find someone to keep pizzas in the table. We are doing it like a buffet

View Quoted Comment There no options around me for a mobile oven and our ven ie doesn't have a full kitchen. The pizza are artisan wood fired pizzas that will be coming from a mom and pop place,

View Quoted Comment No mobile oven options in my area. And the only food truck that's around there is has the worst pizza. Worse then little ceasers and that's saying a lot. We are on a tight budget and that exceeds our amount. Just in our budget we don't have many options around us. We're in TN

View Quoted Comment No option for oven in the area and the food truck pizza is horrible. I live in East TN there's not many options when it comes to stuff like that. A caterer for pizza... yeah they are over 100 miles away and want to charge almost 300 for delivery... And we have to bring the equipment back... that's not an option. Our budget doesn't allow us much options

View Quoted Comment Making it on-site is not an option. And we already got the salad covered along with breadsticks. For drinks we will have water, sweet tea and fresh homemade lemonade, along with a "garnish bar". Around here it's a big thing to have fruits, cucumbers, and mint to put into drinks. The venue offers many glass options from classic mason jars to flutes with Swarouski Crystals.

View Quoted Comment We found several places that offer gluten free pizzas. My made of honor has the super cute chalk board signs about 4 by 6 in size. We are going to but the flavors on those as well as some thing cute. Like the Brides Favorite. Groom's Gamer Fuel, My daughter will be 8 when we marry. And she loves cheese like any normal kid so out a sign up for hers. You know add a personal touch. My fiance's best friend was killed a few years ago and were going to have his pizza there as a remembrance. The gluten free will say gluten free. Our wedding is mainly close family and friends so we know almost all dietary needs we will be asking them to let us know of any other dietary restrictions besides gluten free.

View Quoted Comment Agreed. The closest caterer for pizza is 100 miles. The place I found has many options to suit dietary needs. Our guest are all close family and friends and know most of the dietary restrictions. Will be asking our guests when they RSVP to let us know of any restrictions so we can accommodate them. I'm doing gluten free cupcakes. My baker said I have up to 24hours to add or change the cupcakes, she also offers vegan as well as the pizza place

View Quoted Comment Sounds like you have your dietary restrictions covered then!
The signs are a nice touch and I think that is a lovely way to honor his friend.
I guess the only concern left would be keeping them warm but it sound like you put a lot of thought into this. I say go for it!