So, me and my H2B have booked the Big Day (yaaaay) at a local church for 3pm, with a reception at our favourite hotel, for August 2015. Originally, we were both very happy with the idea of a later ceremony and having a BBQ instead of a sit down meal as neither of us wanted the formality of a sit down meal (or the huge expense!), and it meant that we could cater for everyone and not have to worry about sorting out the dreaded list of day and night guests. However, the more I think about it, the more I'm thinking that I should have a sit down meal... and even typing this I know the reason is silly... but I feel that having a BBQ is being a bit cheap!
What do you all think? Are we being cheap? Or are we just being realistic (The price p/p would double for a sit down meal instead of a BBQ). We are also providing a small finger buffet for later on in the evening (10ish) to reduce the risk of people feeling hungry. Am I just over thinking this?
Thanks Becky xx
CommentAuthorkatielea100
Not at all I don't like the formality or cost of a sit down meal so were having a very huge selection buffet instead I can't be bothered with the whole RSVP what food you want and everything And I don't care if people think I'm cheap or anything the end of the day it's my wedding I want a buffet Also a lot of kiddies at my reception and kids prefer something buffet like than meals x
CommentAuthorRachaelC80
I don't think you're being cheap but realistic!!!
You can have a BBQ without it looking cheap by having lots of side dishes..... Coleslaw, Potato Wedges, Corn on the cob, Onion Rings etc
If you don't want a sit down meal, don't have it, it is YOUR day!!!!
:-)
CommentAuthorInDreamland
I love the idea of a bbq at a wedding as long as it's eat as much as you like xxx
Married the love of my life on Saturday 11th May 2013 xxx
Had our dream perfect honeymoon in Hawaii!
CommentAuthoralmost a year wife!!
I love the idea of a BBQ but personally I find it more of an evening thing... X
I am doing the same as you - we are getting married at 2pm followed by a BBQ at a local hotel for 115 guests. A sit down formal meal is definitely not me or my h2b. I say go with personal choice and if people don't like it then tough x
CommentAuthorVelcro
Not at all, a BBQ would be top, we're having a hot buffet rather than a sit down meal, if the venue would of allowed it, we would have had a hoy roast, if people think you are being'cheap' then they are not worth inviting imo
Wibbly wobbly, timey wimey
*Kelbel* is my wedding twinny!
CommentAuthorBev
I like the informal feel of the bbq idea. We're having a late ceremony followed by drinks and canapés then on to a hot buffet when the evening guest arrive.... It's saved us an absolute fortune :) x
CommentAuthorInDreamland
My mouth is watering at the thought of a bbq xx
Married the love of my life on Saturday 11th May 2013 xxx
Had our dream perfect honeymoon in Hawaii!
CommentAuthorThe-Future-Mrs-B
We aren't having a sit down meal as the formality and tradition of it isn't us, we want a proper fun celebration and we are having a buffet to suit our needs, we are having things like pulled pork and other homemade foods :)
CommentAuthorJoey35
We're having afternoon tea followed by a cold buffet and hog roast in the evening. It suits our village hall venue and means we can afford to feed every one of our 130 guests! There's no way we could afford to feed everyone if we had a sit down meal and we didn't want to cut anyone out of our day as both our families are huge!
CommentAuthorsarah
I think it's a good idea, as long as there are enough servers. One common problem with buffets can be that it takes a long time for everyone to get their meal.
CommentAuthorbarbie86
You can still have some formality by having seating and a seating plan, as well as speeches, toast etc if you like the idea of some level of formality.
I think that if you were to have a sit-down meal it would really cut into the day. Church ceremonies often take up to an hour, bringing you up to 4pm. You then have to allow time for getting to the reception venue, as well as time for photos; this could easily bring you to 5.30pm, meaning you won't be eating until 6pm. This would mean your evening reception would start later, so you'd have less time for drinking and dancing. With that in mind, personally I think a BBQ is the best option :-)
CommentAuthorbeximo86
thank you all so much! I was really torn by the idea, I've always kinda thought I'd have a sit-down meal at my wedding but the formality and cost isn't what I want from my day! I want it to be relaxed, fun environment where people have a good time and good food, so I think I'll stick with my BBQ idea, and not have to take out a loan to cover the extortionate costs! As many of you said (and as my mum pointed out last night), the day is a bout a wedding and not a free meal, if people think it's cheap then they don't have to attend or be invited. The hotel have said the BBQ will be served about 6ish, and we're having canapes on arrival, a dessert table for after the BBq and then a smaller buffet in the evening at 10ish, so I think thats food covered enough!
It's also nice to know I'm not the only bride thinking that the formality of a sit down meal is a bit tedious, having spoken to previous brides that have had a sit down meal they look at me like I've grown a second head when I mention BBQ! :) x
CommentAuthorNearlyMrsFountain
I'm having a BBQ in March coz me & h2 b love them and so much more cost effective. It's much more relaxed and easy going.
I have found the people who haven't started to plan a wedding think bbqs and things like that are not 'proper wedding food' I'm sure their minds soon change when they look at cost per head.
CommentAuthorKatieA72
Hiya
We are having a bit of both. I am still going to do place settings and a table plan but we are having a huge BBQ instead of sit down meal. I was quite fussy when it came to finding my BBQ caterer as I still wanted waiters to pour wine and wanted water on the tables etc so the formality is still there but instead of a three course meal we are having a BBQ with all the trimmings. We are having a secret garden wedding so I thought the BBQ went quite nicely.
Our caterer was more expensive than I initially thought it would be and for the BBQ he is charging £1250 for everything including crockery hire etc etc but I think caterer is so important!
CommentAuthorJosephJ
I like the idea of a bbq too, I like the informality of it. :)
