Simple Wedding - Can I dress up BBQ??

Why not? It would be the unexpected. Also, 'dressed up' BBQ will seem more like you could afford 'fancy' but chose BBQ : )

Hi Barbara,

(for one of my weddings) I'm actually having an outdoor garden reception with catered BBQ, and it's also going to be summer casual, so khakis and sun dresses. I have gorgeous lace linens, bone china, gold millet and tea light candles everywhere, and a bunch of everything else. And I'm still serving BBQ. So do what you would like, it's beyond acceptable. And it would surprise your guests, in a good way!

Good Luck

If only your closest friends and family will be there, go for the BBQ! I'm sure most of them know that BBQ is your FH's favorite and having BBQ doesn't mean you have to sacrifice the china and other elegant touches. I am planning on doing BBQ for my reception (50-80 guests) and I'm not even about trying to dress it up. I think my close friends and family will be more concerned with having delicious food to eat than if it is an "elegant meal" and I'm sure the same is true for your guests. Just make sure there are plenty of napkins, wet naps, and maybe even bibs on hand.

Think "Gone with the Wind" and the barbeque at Twelve Oaks! Or Maybe Abercrombie & Fitch (the Safari company that outfits it guests with silver service and china on the Serengeti)It could be absolutely stunning!

For one of my weddings we did an "upscale" bbq.

This wedding I did was very similar in many ways. What we decided to do was place food in Ivory/Gold trimed bowls or serving trays and do a stunning decorated buffet to match decor.

My suggestion would be keep everything as you have planned, (which sounds wonderful) just place food in your china, and use your linens...

Best Wishes,

In my hometown there is a very famous bbq joint, it's basically the go-to place when you want to impress or really celebrate. So they cater everything from weddings to CEO board meetings. These are elegant events and the bbq is not out of place at all.

My suggestion, if it is possible, is to do "clean" bbq. You can keep it clean by doing herb rubs on the meat to give it a lot of flavor, rather than drowning it in sticky sauces. Same goes for the sides - rely on spices rather than oils or butter. Then you can use the potentially hazardous sauces in moderation.

Good luck!

My FI wants the same thing and since we like country music I'm going to go with a Romantic western theme. I'm still keeping the china, crystal and everything else. Have fun with it!!

Hi Barbara,

When my sister got married 5 years ago, she did BBQ for the sit-down dinner ala my Dad's famous chicken and ribs. It sounds terribly messy, but it really wasn't. Her reception was indoors at a nice community hall. All of her guests and our family were thrilled that we were having AWESOME food, so BBQ is not taboo! Just so happens that my Uncle markets his own BBQ sauce, so as a favor everyone received a bottle of the sauce. My sister dressed up the bottles by adding a personalized label and ribbons in her wedding colors which were cream and pastel green.

So for your special day, keep the fine linen and china - it works well with BBQ. Perhaps you could do it Sonny's BBQ style, where you serve the meat, and there are several types of sauce on the tables to try with the the BBQ.

Hope that helps!

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