Ideas for a better phrasing please.

[leogurl]

So my FI is Chicano and our AHR is going to follow his family's culture and tradition of having a potluck style fiesta. No one in his immediate family has done this, but it is the type of receptions he attended while he was growing up. We are planning to do this in his family's hometown, which is 3 hours away, but where the majority of both of his father's and mother's relatives live. So any ideas on a way to explain this type of reception to people who are not familiar with the culture, like my family, our friends, co-workers, etc. No one has had any problems with the way I describe it, but it just seems like there's probably a classier way of saying "Mexican-style potluck". I have no idea how I will word it on an actual invitation either, but I have plenty of time (about a year) to think about it.

[Soon To Be Mrs. Gomez]

I think you could just put "potluck" on the invite. Most people know what a potluck is.

[Alyssa]

who is hosting it? are you and your FI? or his parents?

 

does everyone really have to bring something?

 

are you also expecting gifts?

 

(trying to get info to help work it better!)

[leogurl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alyssa who is hosting it? are you and your FI? or his parents? does everyone really have to bring something? are you also expecting gifts? (trying to get info to help work it better!)

We are hosting it; it will be our only official reception since we only plan on doing only an intimate dinner and cocktail hour with our guests after the wedding in Mexico.

I guess I'm not sure that everyone would need to bring something. I haven't really decided that. The family events in which I have been to, FI's immediate family never made anything, but most of the other family members made something. So I know not everyone will bring something. And I don't expect my family, who may or may not show up because they have to travel halfway across the US, to make/bring food. So calling it a potluck on the invitation may not be the best idea afterall.

We will not be expecting gifts, especially if guests are bringing food. But we will likely register somewhere so that people who have the money and want to give a gift can.

[BachataBride]

I did a quick google search & came up with these sites...

 

Catering Your Own Wedding With a Potluck Reception

Low Budget Wedding Reception

(Pot Luck info at the bottom)

 

I also found a LOT of links saying that a potluck wedding reception is in poor taste & bad etiquette! But I say do what you want!!!

 

We too are planning a pot luck AHR!! I'm actually calling it a Backyard BBQ!! I just want to have all our fam & friends who couldn't make it to the wedding together to celebrate & party!! We are not putting it on the invitation that it is a pot luck though - my mom will just ask some family members to bring something!

Our invites had a picture of us from our wedding on the front saying "Please join us for a Newfie backyard party to celebrate our wedding!!" & on the back in a fun font we had when & where & "This is not a formal affair! Please come as you are and enjoy a great evening of food, family & friends!!" & then our contact info on the bottom.

[YoursTruly]

I agree that you may want to reconsider a potluck. And then to consider having your guests bring something.

[YoursTruly]

Maybe you can have it catered instead?

[leogurl]

It doesn't bother me that having a potluck is in bad taste. I consider such etiquette to be part of the majority Caucasian-American culture, which we are not, so going with Chicano tradition suits me just fine. FI and I have a compromise. I wanted a small destination wedding, and he wanted a huge wedding reception to entertain his family. I guess I'll just have to get over not liking the term "potluck" because it doesn't seem like there is anything better.

[BachataBride]

Spanish Word for potluck is comida informal - you could use that!

 

Or Just say something like, "Bring a dish to share" instead of potluck!