Wedding reception- takeaway at home?

[DorisandDeidre]

Would we BU to do this? Considering having the church ceremony and then going back to ours for a takeaway. Would you be okay with this as a guest? We have a small guest list (less than 15) and most have complex dietary requirements so we were thinking takeaway gives them the option of where we get the food from.

[Louloubelle78]

Sounds really nice. Am sure you'll make it a nice occasion. Better than an overcooked chicken breast and weany portion of veg that was cooked last Wednesday while being forced into making polite chit chat with Sandra who worked on accounts with the bride in 1994.

[Lucked]

Our local Italian does catering sized portions and that is what we have used for christenings and big birthdays. Set the house up for a buffet the night before. Maybe get some balloons and fresh flowers for your house and have the champagne on ice!

[icanthelpyou]

I've had dominos pizza in a garden following a church wedding. Was very chilled and great fun.

[Sallycinammonbangsthedruminthe]

That sounds fantastic OP ..my kind of wedding! I dont know if you are getting married in the summer months if so what about a gazebo kind of thing and your tables out side for guests to enjoy their takeaway at...less mess in the house too!!! Wishing you a lovely day what ever you decide..

[LagunaBubbles]

The OP has said there are different dietary requirements, I presume it would be difficult finding 1 restaurant to cater for all.

[Butterfly84]

I would be very happy with that.

Nice and informal. Perfect for a small group, especially if close family/friends.

[Mrsfs]

That sounds great to me, especially as it's close friends and family. I would even be happy to sit on the floor to eat and just celebrate my friends day!

[kmammamalto]

I'd hate it! Sorry! I would want to dress appropriately for a church ceremony and then not want to be sitting in my nice dress pigging in a take away! I like to do that in my jammie bottoms! But if it's your thing then go for it!

[KC225]

That would be a yes for me - fab idea

[AmIRightOrAMeringue]

I'd have loved takeaway much better than the dried up chicken in a mushroom sauce that seems to be the standard at a lot of weddings. As you say everyone can choose their favourite. And can also provide booze which will save them a fortune

[sycamore54321]

As a guest, I’d probably be a bit surprised but would likely enjoy it if done right. However, hosting 15 people in your own home is quite a big task. To make them comfortable, you’d need enough plates, cutlery, seating, table space, toilets, even a big enough bin to put the (unecological) wrapping from 15 takeaway meals etc. will they be driving - have you enough car parking? Somewhere to put their coats?

All in all, I think for your own home on your own wedding day, it would be a stressful nightmare. If I were hosting 15 people at home tomorrow evening, I’d probably spend a good chunk of the afternoon getting the place ready, setting out tables, making sure there was enough toilet paper and clean towels in the bathroom etc. if it’s your own home, you will be spending the day getting ready for your own wedding. And then you’ll have to make sure you have tidied away any bits and pieces from getting ready before heading off to the ceremony. If someone spills their curry, do you really want to be running around with a mop on your wedding day? When they leave to go home, you’ll be left with a mess to tidy up. Basically I think hosting in your own home takes up far more time and effort than you are accounting for and would be a bit of a shame to spend your wedding day dashing about. If you really want a homely ambiance, is there someone else’s house (a parent/sibling/close friend?) who could do the hosting for you?

If you have the option of a church hall, I’d definitely choose that instead.

Best wishes

[LipstickHandbagCoffee]

I also attended a wedding buffet were everyone who could brought a signature dish(drop off prior to ceremony)
Those who didn’t cook had items delivered eg soft drinks,food,cakes etc
It was smashing,informal and the food was a talking point. In particular guests with dietary requirements had their own needs fully met
Cost effective for the B&G and no worry or faff about place settings,seating plans and spiralling costs of wedding

[stayclosetoyourself]

I think it sounds stressful , taking orders, eating together etc and as a guest I wouldn't like it but could you have a takeaway buffet to the hall or house instead?

[LipstickHandbagCoffee]

Take the order in advance,circulate menu in advance to guests get their order
Order on line
Out of interest What’s stressful about eating together?how is eating at home more stressful than eating in a restaurant?

[Crunchymum]

What kind of dietary requirements make a take away easier than a buffet?

I know it's your day OP and in principle I like the idea but it sounds like a faff? Several different orders coming from different places? And did I read that you (as in the bride?????) will go and pick it up?

As the bride I'd prefer a bit of faff beforehand [organising buffet] and then to relax at the after church gathering.

Also a take away is very informal and not everyone has the same taste...... so whilst you might love your local Chinese, Fred and Betty may not like it at all?

[ICouldBeSomebodyYouKnow]

At work we use a small local catering company. They happily provide for any dietary requirements if we ask: vegan, dairy-free, coeliac, halal, you name it, sometimes all at once. Why not ring round a few? Although, you know your guests best. Do what makes you, and them, happy.

Having it at home sounds fun - we had neighbours did this years ago when I was a teenager and I thought it was so cool!

[PeachesandPie]

One of the best weddings I've been to was a registry office service then back to the B&Gs house for a buffet, they had caterers prepare it and set it up, then clean up after and serve drinks etc. The guests sat in the garden and had a fab time, lovely to be so relaxed.

[LipstickHandbagCoffee]

A good guest even Fred & Betty will smile,eat what their given and not complain
A truism is irrespective of location,cost there’s a hardcore who’ll always complain
I went to a wedding in a castle,harps on arrival,free bar, expansive food choice.i was placed beside folk who incessantly complained all afternoon
champagne was too cold.
too many stairs
Too,draughty
Too rural
Too much food
Car that picked them up was too big,came long route
The cost of the wedding equalled the gdp of a small country, n9 dental was overlooked and still guests complained

[Shelbybear]

Sounds great, I'd love to be a guest lol.

[LipstickHandbagCoffee]

The cost of the wedding equalled the gdp of a small country, no detail was overlooked and still guests complained

[Dieu]

I personally wouldn't do it, as it's your wedding day and not a normal Friday night at home.
There are so few of you that surely they can be catered for properly.

[Gardai]

I wouldn’t like to be collecting a take away Indian after my wedding. Seems a bit unromantic
But if money is an issue then I suppose needs must.

[LipstickHandbagCoffee]

Doesn’t actually matter whether it’s what any of us would plan as a wedding
It’s about the B&G,their preference,their budget,their sensibilities
As a guest turn up,be gracious,smile,compliment the event,food and location
Even if you don’t mean it,fake it to make it,so the B&G have a great day

[mummmy2017]

Have you thought about hiring a skittles hall, at the back of your local pub....
Best wedding reception ever...
We ordered take away, pub was fine with it..
We did two teams...

[HelpIcantfindaname]

With just 15 I'd do it at home. I think it sounds lovely.
We had 30 for afternoon & had hired caterers to do buffet at our house...house not very big so was planning on using garden....had huge gazebo, but we had had so much rain the garden was boggy at the bottom. ...a few days before the wedding we hired the church hall up the street but it wasnt nicely decorated, or full of all the plants my garden had.
I'd stick to your house & a takeaway...sounds great.