Taco Bar at Wedding Reception

One of our choices is carnitas tacos. J kno

I think it sounds really awesome but I also love tacos aha. If there's variety and gourmet filling options I think it's fine. Sounds like a fun reception.

One of our choices is carnitas tacos. I know it's not "classic" but it's not strange, either.

1. It's up to the bride and groom, it's their wedding.
2. It goes over VERY well.

I know you just want to make sure she has a great wedding, but it's a really fun food choice. You can add an additional option, if you are really worried about it. You could hire a meat carving station instead of laying the meat out for the tacos, so it doesn't seem as "casual".

I agree this is probably a decision that the B&G should ultimately make (even if you're paying...I get it; I'm a mom, too), but I absolutely see your point. I live in So California, pretty much the taco capitol of the US, but I think tacos are probably most appropriate for a very casual wedding. (To me, a taco bar would seem very weird at a formal venue with a bride wearing an embellished formal gown. In a rustic barn with a more casual boho-style dress? Sure, that works!) They can be very messy to eat, and I would not want to eat them dressed for a more formal wedding. If the B&G are insistent on tacos, I'd encourage them to think about expanding the menu to make it more appealing to a wider range of tastes. Options might be to have the taco "fixings" set up so it would be an easy option to create a salad, and to provide a range of spiced and not spiced protein options, and sides, like rice and beans; or perhaps, as another pp suggested, do various "food stations" -- one could be tacos, but other options might be a pasta station, and a carving station (with prime rib/turkey/whatever), etc. Regardless of what is served, I would insist that flatware be provided so guests can choose to eat even tacos with a knife and fork, if they prefer. As a parent, I understand how hard this is. It's the B&G's wedding, so it should reflect their tastes and choices, but once they start inviting guests, they, as hosts, have a responsibility to meet their guests' needs, too. Good luck!

I love Mexican food so I think it would be awesome. We had a nacho bar as our late night snack and my bil had a taco bar for his rehearsal dinner. Both weddings were formal affairs so I don't think it is weird that they want a taco bar. The guests loved the nacho and taco bars. Even if you are paying for it, you should really let the bride and groom decide what type of food they want to serve as it is their wedding not yours.

I love a good taco bar but I would consider it poor hosting if I attended a formal evening wedding in expensive Chicago and was served a taco buffet. Nope. If at a casual venue for a brunch wedding I would be more understanding but still disappointed. 👎

If they want untraditional food, I would at least do a Mexican buffet (not appropriate for a formal evening wedding though. A plated meal of an enchilada, tamale, rice & beans plus a salad course sounds more fitting—a dinner guests could use utensils. Then a taco bar as a late-night snack).

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This right here

I say let the people getting married make that decision. I am having a taco bar and don't think it's cheap. I like tacos and I wanna enjoy the food at my wedding. I've also never heard of tacos being too spicy. Just don't add spicy stuff if you don't want it.

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LOL! I always love your responses Pirate/60's Bride for their honesty. I tried to be more diplomatic, but I agree. I'm a native of So Cal and we go out for Mexican food at least once a week & love it, so it's not that I don't like tacos. I just don't think they are a great option for a formal wedding. We have a ton of family in Chicago and have been to many weddings there. Some of the more casual ones have had buffet meals, which in our extended family may include some traditional ethnic dishes (Polish, Italian, etc.) as options, along with more typical wedding choices. For a formal wedding, personally, I dislike any kind of buffet/station food service. If I'm dressed up, I'd prefer a plated meal so I don't have to go stand in line and then carry my plate across the room. So, there's that aspect of a taco bar that would be another negative for me.

I def understand your thoughts and concerns ... however I love the idea! I think it’s unique and fun and as everyone says ... it is their day.. and I think a lot of the guests will agree. even if it’s not something they would do I think they’ll accept it because it’s someone else’s big day .. you can make sure they set it up really nicely and make it look well put together her

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Lol. Thanks MOB So Cal. I appreciate your words of wisdom too here!

As a fellow So Cal resident, I think we often do stuff more casually here than in Chicago and I too would be concerned that for a formal wedding guests and "old school" family members may have a negative reaction to the event or couple if there was only a taco bar. I don't want that for MOB Jenny. And even though I love me some tacos, even I wouldn't want to eat those in a nice dress at a formal wedding! I'd rather use a fork and knife to stay "lady like."

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Thanks for your reply - we think the same way!!

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Thank you for your input!

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Exactly...I'm on the same page as you are...we can have a taco station, but we need more...and to make matters worst, the grooms mom and dad told them that one of the best weddings they ever attended had a taco bar...dang it!

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My daughter (30 yrs. old) has selected a very sophisticated dress and she does like a Bohemian themed wedding. Husband to be is a professional but he has a male bun that I absolutely hate, but I can't say a word...daughter loves it - she egged him on to pursue growing his hair into a male bun...can't believe he got promoted to a higher position with a male bun...haha. Anyway I agree w/you a formal wedding should be sit down or not food that can make you messy. Mexican food can be quite spicy and I'm worried about our older guests. My daughter is very head strung...wish me luck.

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Hmm... what about mini-taco appetizers (still messy though)? Or as a late-night snack? Think you can talk them into it? If it's not too formal, at least a buffet so some guests can opt for enchiladas and a salad? Not everyone will want to eat tacos with their hands...like grandma!

What type of venue, by the way? And level of formality?

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OMG- you hit the nail on the head -- my feelings EXACTLY. These guests are going to mortified when they see the tacos. I've even gone as far as to tell my husband that maybe she shouldn't invite anyone from our side bc I'd be too embarrassed. We are going to 2 other family weddings this year in swanky hotels w/sit-down dinners...my daughter is such a rebel...she is a Doctor of Physical Therapy but a hippie at heart.

View Quoted Comment My grandparents (if still alive) would be mortified too. And I’d panic if wearing a formal dress thinking, “Crap! I’m probably getting taco sauce on my nice dress tonight. Noooooo.” 😩

The couple definitely needs to serve more food and something that uses utensils for more formal folks. Then the tacos are just a cool bonus for the hippie, young, rebel guests!

View Quoted Comment I totally agree with this. If I went to a nice wedding and they served tacos after I got all dressed up I would not be happy. Also it’s honestly not something that everyone likes. I can’t eat spicy food so I guess I wouldn’t eat. It’s not enough of an option for a wedding unless it’s super casual.