Question from Lynda:
We want to have a potluck reception at our wedding celebration…(married on the Tuesday) and celebrate on the Sat. How can we make up invitations so that
they do not sound tacky?? and another way of saying bring a gourmet dish??? Thank you. Lynda
Answer from Bridal Expert Angela:
Hi Lynda, and congratulations on your upcoming wedding. I assume you realize that having a potluck wedding reception is poor etiquette? When a person throws a party, they are responsible for the hospitality at that party. This is especially true of weddings. That means the guests attend (usually with a gift) and you pay for the hospitality. If you can’t afford a wedding reception with a sit down gourmet dinner, why not hold a wine & cheese reception in the afternoon, and serve hors d’oeuvres if the budget allows. You can hold this party in the evening after the dinner hour if you wanted to have an evening event. You could have a dance party "to celebrate the recent wedding of….." at 8 pm and have some hor d’oeuvres or snacks with a cash bar if need be.
But, if you insist on your potluck reception, the invitations could say: ‘You are cordially invited to a potluck dinner to celebrate the recent marriage of….." That is in poor taste as it is, but if you ask for a gourmet dish on top of it, people will be truly insulted (if they aren’t already insulted by having to bring a dish to the wedding reception).
I sincerely hope you will reconsider the potluck wedding reception. It is very poor etiquette, and in bad taste. You don’t want your new family to have that impression of you! If money is the issue, try one of the other suggestions. They are all great alternatives to a sit down dinner for your wedding reception.
If you have further questions, please feel free to ask.
Angela Fiebelkorn, Ask The Expert
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