Pot luck finger foods

Honest thoughts? Disgusting. Potlucks are gross to begin with who knows what their kitchen is like. Beyond the disgusting possibility.


There's food safety issues about temperature control, putting your guests to work (even if they don't mind its still work), there should be a more substantial meal if this will be at meal time and not "nibbles"

View Quoted Comment Thank you!! This will be later in the evening, snacks is what I’m going for. Nothing sit down. However, I do think you are right about other peoples kitchens.

In addition to the health standards issues that Alyssa mentioned, I think it’s only polite to host your guests with food you provide if they are attending your wedding. Regardless of how informal or small, guests are taking time to attend your wedding and are likely to bring a gift. I would provide the food and refreshments for your guests.

View Quoted Comment Thank you!! I’m pretty sure we are going to be getting this catered now.

I would suggest some nice charcuterie boards from a Costco or somewhere similar. That way guests aren’t preparing food, but you’re also not spending a fortune.

View Quoted Comment Excellent idea!!

If you are the one doing the inviting then you need to be the one providing all the food and refreshments. It is inappropriate to ask guests to work at or for your wedding. The only exception is if close family or a friend were to proactively make an offer of that kind without being asked or if the wedding were being co-hosted.

You also have to think about guests with dietary needs not being able to eat things and worry about cross contamination in the person's kitchen. I have a peanut allergy, I really don't like potlucks because I never know what is in what, especially the desserts. Like, nobody told me that the apple salad they made had snickers in it (apparently this Snickers salad is actually a thing a lot of people make for potlucks, but I haven't heard of it until now and they assumed I knew what it was) luckily I survived, but it is something you should consider. Most professional chefs and bakers are trained with proper cleanliness and are more conscious of preventing cross contamination (though they do warn the people with allergies that it isn't always perfect to avoid liability)

Just something to think about.

Edit: Good for you, I have to second the Costco idea. As long as it is from someone professional that is trained in food safety then you are golden.

View Quoted Comment I'm actually going to go against the grain and that if a person has dietary restrictions (unless they're in the family/bridal party) they should eat prior. I've always brought my own food to weddings because I have to assume there's nothing to eat. The only time I haven't is when I was told that there was a gluten free dairy free plate for me.

It's your wedding!! Go for it!

There are many reasons why potlucks don’t work at weddings. Largely due to food safety regulations by the local health department that venues enforce and the fact that guests should never be asked to pay for your wedding in any way. Most families and friends, no matter how well intentioned, don’t understand or care about food safety laws, and it is impossible for anyone, especially those who are not local, to make sure the food is the proper temperature.


If cost is a concern and a cake and coffee reception is not an option, then ask your favorite local restaurant to provide drop off catering for however many guests you have invited. That can be the Chinese or Mexican restaurant you go to on weekend date nights because they already provide catering services and you know the quality of the food. They bring twice as much food as a regular wedding caterer for a fraction of the price, and no one goes home hungry or sick.

Potluck buffets at weddings use to be my family's tradition throughout my childhood, but unfortunately now many venues will not allow you to bring in your own food. It has to be from a caterer, a restaurant or (and only some allow) grocery store bought.


This being said, usually it's worded on a invitation as "in lieu of a gift" and you will have to have some way of keeping track of what everyone is bringing. With this in mind, the host usually still provides the main, whether it be 1 or 2 entrées, even if it's sandwiches and make sure to provide a large amount of them. Sometimes instead of having it right on the invite people with have a printed insert asking this and only include it with immediate family or close friends or just do it by word of mouth to their selected group.
I truthfully don't find it gross like some people were stating. I have attended many family reunions, showers and weddings with this done because it's a tradition in a lot of cultures. It's just hard to do now with a lot of venue regulations.