Any ideas?

Question

I am going to do a potluck reception after the wedding to keep the cost down and to involve my guests (about 200), the problem I am having is that I can not seem to come up with a good theme for the potluck. Anyone have any suggestions???

Answer 1

I have to say I don't think this is tasteful. It would be different if it were simply a small amount of family and close friends, but 200 is way past that! Either have a full out reception or don't!
I hate to sound rude, but it just isn't in good taste to bark orders to people what you want them to bring. If people are asking you can indeed suggest something, but there's no guaranteeing that you will get that dish.
I have however seen someone do an afternoon reception and it was themed something like "sweets with the sweeties". Can't remember exactly, but everyone from the family that offered (not everyone invited and no one was asked to do so, unless it was like an aunt or uncle or someone close who wouldn't mind anyway). Anyway, those select people brought LOTS of their favorite sweets. It was a desert type reception with coffee and a few soft drinks! There was still cake, as with tradition, but mostly everything else was sweets, mints, nuts, etc. But this was for not even 75 guests!
Potluck for 200 is never a good idea! Nor is it in good etiquite or taste!

Answer 2

OK TR,

I had a potluck reception and it was a great success! It was given to my husband and myself by a friend, who took over my house and fixed it up for the party and then called the neighbors, family, and friends and it was an awesome reception. And I think the number was less than 50. Without her doing this, we wouldn't have had a reception at all. Budget wise, we were looking at having a small party and that was it. So--a potluck worked out great for us. But for 200 people? I just don't know.... I'll have to give it some more thought. But right now, I'm inclined to say it's expecting too much of your guests. UNLESS you are also planning to have it catered. True that it'll be your day..... But your guests should have a good time and enjoy themselves too. Otherwise, they could stay home and watch a movie and still eat their own food.

Good luck.

Answer 3

It would be very rude to make your wedding guests provide the food, potluck-style. I hope you are not really planning to do that-- maybe I miunderstood-- maybe you are mis-using the word "potluck" and you really just mean "homemade" and so really it's your parents and a few aunts working together, cooking a homemade spread for everyone, not a true potluck where guests bring something, because that would be totally unacceptable.

You are the hosts. It's YOUR job to provide (and pay for) the food and drink. They are the guests. It's their job to partake of your hospitality.

If you cannot afford to serve a meal, then schedule the wedding and reception to be between meals and have just a cake and punch reception, or just cookies and cocoa, or just a fruit and cheese platter-- anything you can actually afford to serve. It would not be polite at all to expect potluck dishes cooked by your guests.

Answer 4

thats a big wedding to do potluck. are you sure all your guests are ok with that? its something you would have to ask them all about first. and if they are bringing a dish then I would definitely not expect any gifts as they are feeding your guests. my mom made all the food for my wedding and it was 40 people, but there was enough to feed between 50 and 70. I'm sure if you got your close friends and family together they could all pitch in and do the food for the wedding. its still not too expensive and then you arent expecting your guests to do it for you. if you do still want potluck then you cant have a theme. people can bring what they want. they arent cooks or caterers.

Answer 5

In stead of having a pot luck you can order some meat entree that's not so expensive, such as chicken. Then maybe you can get family and close friends to make large anounts of sides. One person can make a few trays of pasta. One can do potatos, ect. This way your burdening your guest to do all that cooking. It's going to be really hard for 200 people to bring a dish to a party. Another option is ordering the food from an inexpensive restuarnt. That's what I did and I ended up paying $6 per person for a party of 250.

Answer 6

Maybe you could try calling it a Recipes for Food and Happiness Potluck Reception. Have everyone bring a special dish that they like along with the recipe for the dish and also their own personal tips for happiness and success in life. Take pictures of each person holding their dish and put the photos, the food recipes, and the successful marriage tips altogether in a big scrapbook. It would make a wonderful keepsake for both of you.

Answer 7

There is a reason it's called "potluck". If you want people to bring specific dishes then draw up a menu and assign each person the item you want them to bring. Otherwise, it's potluck.

Answer 8

depending where you are from maybe southern theme or what you and your groom family backgound. May sure you have a list of what everyone is bring and try to pick the people who you feel makes the best dish(like chicken or beef ) so their won't be any mix-up. Have small wedding cake and then have some family or friends bring their best desserts.

Answer 9

With 200 people, I would suggest asking for volunteers, you wouldn't want 50 plates of green bean casserole. Then as your theme, you could ask your volunteers to provide their favorite dish with the recipe for the bride. Every bride could use a good set of tried and true recipes, expecially with being able to test them first. You might even suggest to your volunteers that this be their gift to you, afterall, you're asking them to feed 200!

Answer 10

a pot luck for 200 people!? Thats a disaster waiting to happen...might want to reconsider. If you cant afford a large wedding, dont have one or dont have an evening reception.