Take-out boxes for reception food?

Our caterer doesn’t allow food to leave the property because of food safety/liability. I’ve never seen this at a wedding, but could work out if you have a lot of local guests who will be going home after the wedding.

I don't think I'd take home my dinner after I ate then stayed for the reception. By then, it will be hours old without refrigeration. To-go boxes don't scream fancy to me either. I like the idea, but I'd probably just pass. I'd take home anything that hadn't been served since you've paid for it though.

I’ve never seen a caterer allow this. I would find it strange if I attended a wedding where they gave to go boxes. But if it’s important to you then you could ask.

I've never seen this either, and I think it's safe to say that guests don't expect it.

If it's important to you, then do it. But if you decide not to, no one is going to notice or say you should have done it.

Our catering contract specifically says they can't accommodate take out because of state health safety laws. Definitely check with the caterer if this is something they allow

The only time I’ve ever seen this done is with extra cake where the bride and groom and family are like begging people to take it so it won’t go to waste at the end of the night. As cake doesn’t need to be refrigerated it’s not so much a food safety issue.

I don't see any reputable caterer allowing this, but you can always ask. The worst they can say is no.

I totally did this. My reception was catered at home, we paid for the food that was brought and didn’t want any to be wasted. We just picked up environmentally friendly to go boxes and stashed them in the kitchen and we told people to make up something to take if they wanted anything. Caterer made us each a meal to go with cake- which was so awesome because by the time we got to our hotel we were hungry!

Mine’s kind of a weird situation that may not apply but there you have it!

Our venue offers for guests to take food home and I think that's awesome! Nice late night snack after all of the drinking lol.

I should add mine was a buffet too so it stayed hot.

I think it depends on your caterer! We are having a caterer come to us and they are about an hour out. They suggested purchasing to-go boxes for any leftover/not eaten food since there will be extra. If we do not take it, they will just toss it so we may do this for anyone that wants a snack afterwards!

Check with your venue or caterer first. Many food safety laws do not allow food to be packaged once it has been cooked and served.

I've only ever seen this once before and that was because the bride's grandmother was diabetic and needed something for the car ride. Even then I think it was something small like rolls.

We have 8 course family style dinners so it’s not uncommon for guests to to-go the final 1-2 dishes. I would just check with your caterer and venue if they have any restrictions. I love bringing home leftovers, especially if it’s good!

I see a lot of people saying that they never heard of this….listen….if you paid for a set amount of dishes (especially a fancy wedding where it’s not a buffet and it’s by the dishes) and they have left overs, you better buy some custom to go plates and give them as a gift to families.