Taco Bar at Wedding Reception

Oh, MOB Jenny! I feel for you, but will try to reassure you that, especially if your daughter is 30, your family and friends will likely understand that most of the "less than traditional" choices of the wedding were hers, and aren't a reflection on you, except that you're a good mom who supported your daughter & FSIL's decisions. My beloved sister is one of the most proper, conventional people you can imagine, and the mother of two grown children who each got married in their 30's. Each made MANY wedding choices that left her gritting her teeth as they strayed pretty far from generally accepted etiquette/hosting standards. But, you know what? My niece and nephew and their spouses had the weddings they wanted, and all of us who love my sister and her kids happily went to those weddings and had a GREAT time. People do understand. (Maybe you and your H can host a morning after brunch for your family/guests and choose things more consistent with your tastes?) It's hard to parent, even (maybe especially?) when our "kids" are smart, talented, independent adults. But, if they're happy, you and your guests will be happy! Hang in!

We went to a wedding last year that served tacos, and it was definitely a casual affair. They referred to the reception as a “fiesta” on their invitation (the wedding was on Cinco De Mayo) and served chips, salsa, and guac for cocktail hour. It was really fun, but definitively wouldn’t feel appropriate for a formal wedding. I think the stations idea is a fun way for your daughter to have a unique and unconventional wedding that still feels “appropriate.”

One last comment. Husband is a native of the Southside of Chicago, with a huge family, so we are back there visiting all the time. I've been going with him for the past 34 years, and, with no disrespect intended, we have NEVER had decent Mexican food in Chicago. So, I'd love to know where they've found in the city that does great tacos, because we'll have to go try it next time were home. Chicago hotdogs? Of course! Italian Beef?? Absolutely! Pizza???? Oh, my God! It's practically a pilgrimage for husband to go to his favorite pizza place in "the old neighborhood" (which, honestly, is NOT a particularly safe place these days, but we eat there 2-3 times during a week long visit). LOL! Again, hang-in!

We are having a taco bar and we definitely are not getting married in a barn. We will be having chicken and fish tacos. We do have other options though. We are both pretty picky eaters and decided that it’s our wedding and will have food we like. Maybe your daughter would compromise and have other options for people as well? We are having lots of different “bars”- tacos, sliders, potato, Mac and cheese, and ice cream sundae bars.

I bet there are lots of caterers in Chicago who would cater something unique. Is there a restaurant you could look into their catering? My groom (FH) wanted a restaurant caterer and not some random caterer. Maybe your daughter would go for that?
Or would she be interested in some of the creative stations like studded avocados bar or queso nacho bar or any fun stations ? Or I’ve seen Mac and cheese bar , baked potato bar , etc
maybe you find a buffet option and have a taco station at the reception to please her Taco wish ?

I love tacos, but I don’t want to eat them if I’m wearing anything nicer than a sun dress and sandals. If I was at a formal wedding that served a taco bar, I’d wonder why they cheaper out on the food.

We’re actually doing a taco bar at our wedding! We have guests who are vegetarian as well as gluten-intolerant and this is a nice way to accommodate those needs. We also happened to eat tacos on our first date so win/win!

In all seriousness though tacos do not have to “casual.” You can really increase the appeal of the meal with some minor tweaks.... For example, offering barbacoa or marinated beef instead of ground beef.

View Quoted Comment I don’t think offering a premium meat classes up a meal you eat with your hands.

View Quoted Comment That’s fine, that’s your opinion.

I personally do not believe using hands automatically makes a meal less classy, but that is likely a cultural difference. We do have the option of a “burrito bowl” for those who would prefer to use the provided silverware, OP could do the same. The point of these forums is to provide as many options as possible so that each poster can find the best fit for their situation.

What’s their venue? I mean I agree that typical wedding food can be kind of blah, but there are plenty of caterers that do food that’s out of the box! They could do various stations which would be really cool! Or a taco bar for a late night snack or appetizer! If they have a more casual vibe, then a taco bar with nicer fillings (steak, carnitas, fish) would be fine BUT if it’s cocktail attire or nicer I would say no.

I also just wanted to add that hair is just hair. If her fiancé has a man bun, good! Guys have a huge range of hairstyles that are fashionable and in now. Employers DO NOT CARE! With more and more millennials being in managerial positions the standard of being cookie cutter is less and less common luckily! And that’s coming from a doctor of physical therapy 🙃

I am having authentic Mexican tacos (not the crunchy ones with ground beef) for my wedding. It could be a cultural thing but I know my guests will enjoy it. Tacos are special for my future husband and I. I respectfully think you should let your daughter and her future husband make that decision as it is their day. like someone mentioned, you can take your guests out on a nice brunch or something while they are in town. Weddings are not a one size fits all and I think it’s nice when the bride and groom make it their own. 🧡

We seriously considered a taco bar but in the end decided it would have been too much along with our cocktail reception hors d'oeurves menu. I think if there are enough options for protein, vegetables, and something which a bit of starch like rice it is a wonderful idea. Weddings today tend toward comfort more than fancy these days.

We are having a semi-formal wedding and a Southwestern buffet. It is our wedding day, and we hate traditional wedding food. It is so not our style. We too have a significant amount of out of town guests and older guests. It's a shame people spend thousands of dollars to please others. I'm sure some of our older guests will not approve. Can't please everyone.

Our menu consists of:
- 4 passed apps, 1 stationary cheese display
- tortilla salad
- taco bar with chicken and steak
- southwestern rice
- southwestern mac and cheese
- southwestern sliders

Personally, I would go for a taco bar at wedding reception like it was my job! Like previous posters said, it is their wedding! I do have a question: What is the formality of the wedding? Is it an afternoon wedding? If the reception place is a formal place, a taco bar could be seen as casual. Perhaps a compromise could be to offer up a taco truck later in the evening to snack on?

I do agree that you need nice plates and silverware (and margaritas as the signature drink will help A LOT!)

I do understand where you’re coming from as MOB, but I’m not sure why anyone would be upset to receive free food. People love tacos and it’s about what the bride and groom want; it’s their ONLY wedding, after all! I personally think it is more rude on the guest if they are too high maintenance to enjoy a free taco. Lol 😂 People should be happy and thankful that they are loved enough by the bride and groom that their presence is requested on their special day. It is more about the couple being happy than anything else.

I would suggest a taco bar as a late night snack. A friend of ours had a full sit down 3 course meal, soup, salad and choice of entree. The food and the atmosphere was fantastic. Towards the end of the night when it was more of a party atmosphere they had a full taco spread with chicken, steak, corn and flour tortillas and all the toppings. It went over great!
I think that’s a great compromise. Tacos as a main entree is too casual in my opinion. I also live in Chicago and have not been to a wedding in the area that had tacos, bbq, or anything like that as the main entree.

I think a taco bar is a great idea! something different. but there should definitely be some other food choices as well.

I wouldn't worry about spice, I'm sure the caterer can provide a non-spicy option & label things for guests. I understand what you are saying, my parents would have felt the same way if I wanted a taco bar at our formal wedding. Is there anyway you can work with her on doing Mexican food, but in a more elegant and formal way? Maybe plated, or having some options of a carne asada steak dish? Tacos are very messy so it would be weird for a formal wedding. Or maybe doing stations, so a taco station but then some classier food like pasta?

If they want to do a Taco bar at their wedding, then they should. It sounds like you’re more worried about what your out of town guests will say and think than what your daughter actually wants.

I think it really depends on the venue. If it's a super fancy upscale expensive venue and you served taco's - I would think that's weird and cheap. If it's a laid back, casual venue/attire/invites, etc then no I don't think it's weird.