3 O’Clock Wedding

A potluck wedding reception is a wedding reception where the food is provided by the guests i.e. each guest brings a different dish.  Often, if a guest brings a dish to your wedding reception then this is seen as their wedding gift to you so no additional wedding gift is required.

Don’t be shy to pursue this potluck reception idea.  It is actually a very traditional way to celebrate.  Plus, it is truly the number one low budget wedding reception option.

Today’s weddings are so commercialized.  You will learn that caterers offer very limited menus to very limited budgets!  Guests are likely to be very pleased with and welcome the idea of a potluck reception.

The potluck reception goes well with any wedding theme.  If you are shy about approaching this option you can simply call it an ‘Old Time Traditional Wedding Celebration’.  The potluck dinner will suit this theme quite naturally and noone will even question it!

You may even want to pick an ‘Old Time’ theme for your decorating and favors.  This will further incorporate the idea of an ‘Old Time’ traditional theme.  Why not try a ’50s theme or a ’20s theme?  These are both popular old time themes.

In order to tell your guests about your theme, simply slip an additional note in with the invitation or you could even mention it on the invitation.  For example, the note might read…

“Our reception will be an ‘Old Time Traditional Celebration’ with a potluck dinner.
____ Please check here if you would like to bring a dish for the reception in place of a wedding gift.  Call with dish suggestions please.”

Have them call to get or offer suggestions on a dish so that you have control over the menu.  No one is obligated to participate but I’m sure you will be surprised at how many guests will opt for this.

You and your guests will be equally surprised at the great variety and quality of the dishes provided.  Guests will want to bring only their best recipes to a grand occasion such as a wedding reception!

This is an extract from our eBook ‘Planning The Perfect Wedding On a Shoestring Budget’, it’s packed with ideas to help you plan your perfect wedding without having to remortgage your house! If you would like to download our eBook, please click here.