Would you serve Gumbo at reception??

I think gumbo with some sides would be great! And if you’re in Louisiana then it’s extra perfect, im going to New Orleans this summer and I’m super looking forward to having some authentic gumbo 😊

I see 2 big factors affecting your menu: 1) Louisiana food standards are so deliciously high. 2) You're asking guests to drive further out to your property. For these reasons, I think you must expand your menu: Gumbo + sides + another protein + cake/dessert. As good hosts, you want to provide enough food and seating for all your guests. I would ask your neighborhood peoples what is commonly served at home weddings, and maybe they can help you come up with an economical plan. Good luck!

Is the plan to DIY a buffet? As delicious as it sounds, if it's fish or seafood based I would be concerned due to food safety considerations. On top of that, if people are coming from all over, it's questionable whether everyone would like or eat that. It's liquid based so also a bit messy for a wedding.

Gumbo would be a great meal! Some may consider it messy, but it’s all in how you eat your food. Plus I am doing bbq which sure can get messy.

Gumbo is very polarizing and seafood is one of the most common allergens. I would plan to have an additional entree option if this is what you go with

Gumbo is a great idea, but I would serve something else for people that don't eat seafood. Something like a chicken dish. Ask the caterer what a good combination would be!

Thanks everyone. FYI the Gumbo we would prepare would be chicken and sausage, not seafood. I’m thinking of having Boudin and a shrimp pasta on the side.

Gumbo is a great idea but you would need to serve a seafood version separately from a regular version due to food allergies which can be deadly. I could see it served as a buffet option in addition to a non-gumbo entree or an option as a plated meal main dish in addition to beef or chicken, but you would have to be super detailed on your reply card as to ingredients, which is highly frowned on because it’s mistakenly seen as taboo to provide essential details about what is being served. By giving details, you are preventing food waste and making sure people enjoy what they eat, which is not a bad thing.


I would love to eat gumbo if it was on the menu as an option. One of my best friends would not be able to eat it because she is deathly allergic to seafood but she could eat a regular chicken entree.

View Quoted Comment Do you have a non seafood pasta for those who don’t like or can’t eat it?

View Quoted Comment The gumbo was going to be non seafood. Seems everyone is assuming it will be seafood but it will be chicken and sausage. Then I want to do a shrimp pasta.

View Quoted Comment No, I’m not trying to do too much. My mom is allergic to seafood. She can eat the gumbo since it will be no seafood. Just like with wedding cakes, some like fillings but won’t provide multiple cakes for those with allergies. They will have an option for seafood and non seafood. That’s enough…I think at least.