What Should We Eat ?
Ideas for Wedding Reception Food
If your wedding is not going to be professionally catered by a private caterer or by the reception venue, there are many food ideas that family & friends can prepare to create a great reception meal. Be sure to ask your venue if self-catering is allowed.
If casual is OK, then a pot luck is always a great economical idea that allows your closest family and friends to share their personal favorite dishes as part of their wedding gift. You can also put "qualified" family members in charge of running a barbeque or grill. In either case, consider buying good quality, themed, disposable ware (utensils, table cloths, etc.) and you are set.
As for amounts, if the wedding will be self-catered, consider that a pot luck will always provide more food than all the guests can eat. Otherwise, just think to make enough for a small group, like for a simple family picnic, and then multiply to cover the entire guest list.
It's possible to provide a more elegant or gourmet feel to your reception meal, but still save some money by having a catering service deliver prepared items and come back for the cleanup but not stay for serving at the reception. Or, you can have elegant finger foods and appetizers (Hors d' Oeurves) prepared and shipped to you from AppetizersToGo - just click their Ad at the right (--->) OR click "Party Food" for current specials for ordering from AppetizersToGo.
If you are considering serving appetizers, please read our article on Reception Finger Food for ideas.
Likewise, if you are leaning towards a professionally catered event, our article Your Catered Reception, may interest you.
And finally, we recommend our article on the Wedding Cake.
Remember, unless this is your private residence, you will likely have restrictions on serving alcohol.
