So I went to a potluck wedding

8 so many guest complaints! Of course not to the happy couple but amongst ourselves

9 once the frendor servers severed a few people they got restless and left the serving to the guests so the “buffet” table got a little messy

10 Everything surrounding dinner was just so unorganized.

I didn’t write this to bash or offend anyone I just wanted to state how chaotic and offsetting it was from a guest point of view. No one wanted to eat cold food or food that has been just sitting there for hours. Speaking with other guest no one thought it was good idea but we all came and brought something bc we wanted to please the happy couple

That sounds like a rough wedding. I have never been to a potluck wedding but I think I would just pass on the food.

This needs to be bumped and shared forever on every single potluck/self catering thread.

THANK YOU LAURA!

That sounds like a disaster.... I just can't even handle that kind of disorganization, I probabyly would have just left.

I've only heard of one potluck wedding situation that sounded decent. It was a very small backyard wedding in the afternoon. They actually had the meal before the ceremony, so people ate while the food was hot.

What a train wreck!

We need to always reference this post when someone brings up friendors or potluck weddings.

I wonder if anyone got sick.

Take notes pot luck newbs

Yeah this should just be a sticky. Everyone needs to know how horrid potluck weddings are.

Thank you for posting this.

*Adding to Watchlist*

I hope the rest of their wedding went well! People definitely underestimate the amount of work that goes into catering a large event!

I would have two drinks and vanished. To get dinner!!!

That sounds awful! Hopefully it'll open up people's eyes.

I went to a self-catered wedding this summer. It was at a state park and the reception was in a park shelter. I have no idea where they cooked the food because they were camping at the park. All of a sudden the bride's parents just rolled up with their trunk loaded down with crock pots full of meat (to keep it warm, they weren't cooked in there). They kept the food warm and had ice baths to keep salads and condiments cold. They food was actually quite good and looked like minimal fuss during the set up.

Still. This was a mostly family wedding with like 50 people, a number most could handle at a backyard bbq. While this instance was fairly successful, I imagine most self-catered affairs go more like the one you attended, @Laura2.0.

Seriously. Don't self-cater.

This has been my experience at almost every wedding like this that I've been part of.....as in, I show up for the wedding, no one is dressed because they are still in the kitchen, the chairs aren't set up, there is crap everywhere, and everyone is totally stressed out. I actually had to leave one without marrying them because everything was so late and so disorganized it didn't look like we were ever going to get it off the ground.

I agree; this should be a sticky.

Horrible

Yep that sounds like a nightmare

A few years ago I received an invite to a potluck wedding (did not go). I had never heard of it before and thought it was just some bad idea that this particular couple came up with. After coming on wedding wire I was totally shocked at how many people think it is a good idea to have a potluck wedding.

Thank you for posting this!

I wish I took a video that I could share with you guys bc words can't even explain the shit show this was. ceremony started 45 min late bc MOB was late I later learned it was bc she was cooking, and the priest was trying to keep his cool but you could tell he was pissed and he was about to leave but cut the ceremony short by 15min

I totally agree that potlucks are bad for weddings and should not be done for a multitude of reasons. However my parents went to a wedding in the 80's that was at either the bride or grooms parents home and it was potluck and they still talk about it to this day and said it was the most fun they ever had at a wedding. I guess at one point a potluck and self catered wedding was the norm!

Man, sounds crazy. I never understood why people think it's ok to make their friends and family members work on their wedding day. Wouldn't you want them to enjoy the day and not have to worry about running around like crazy?