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.

[Kennebunkport]

What I learnt from my wedding is to do what you really want. I went with 'the norm' and although lovely, I don't look back on it as the best day of my life.

If it were me, I'd prob consider a small catering company (you can google local family businesses) and give them the brief of takeaway style food. Then at least they can cater for dietary needs (often takeaway places aren't great for that) and if given keys, lay it all out at your house ready for your return. Doesn't have to be fancy (big bowls of curry etc), but means you don't have to worry about coordinating orders, pick ups etc.

[LordoftheRinse]

I’d love this!.

[SparklesandFlowers]

If, as a guest, I knew most of the 15 people then I'd love this! It wouldn't bother me in the slightest.

We went to a friend's house the night before her wedding and got fish and chips before squeezing into their living room, sitting on a random assortment of seats, including the floor. I knew 75% of the fifteen-twenty people there. It was excellent fun! Much better than the sit down wedding breakfast the next day.

[LipstickHandbagCoffee]

Agree Kennebunkport, I know many B&G who regret they didn’t do what they wanted
They did the stereotypical (and much loved mn wedding) a seating plan,free bar,massive sit doon with speeches.yawn
Buckling under social and familial pressure to do “right thing” and have a “good wedding”

[DorisandDeidre]

Just to answer a few questions. The alternative we were considering was an Indian restaurant. However I know some guests can't have spice due to their Crohns / colitis. The takeaway would be for the most part Indian (which the vast majority of our guests enjoy). I know the guests who do have Crohns and colitis do get food from the local chippy so presumably they'd be comfortable with that for our wedding. No white wedding dress for me, just a simple evening type dress. Not expecting anyone to buy a new outfit for the ceremony. We're regulars at the church and regularly attend on a Sunday in jeans and a t shirt. Yes okay weddings are more formal than a usual Sunday service but all of our guests are more than welcome to wear whatever they like and I certainly wouldn't be expecting someone to go out and buy a new outfit. Sadly not in the summer, we're looking at Autumn so chances are we'd be unable to sit outside.

[LipstickHandbagCoffee]

It sounds lovely,and if it suits you both that’s great,chose what makes you happy

[ShinyShoe]

I think that sounds brilliant. I’ve never been to a wedding and loved the food. It’s always been pretty bland. Is there any food that everyone will eat? Fish and chips? You could then serve it in individual baskets or in newspaper! I’d love that. Everyone would feel involved. Put tunes on the stereo, serve plenty of drinks, big bean bags for everyone to sit on...you could even put a photo montage of you both from your life together up on the TV. There’s loads you could do to make it cool and intimate. You could get everybody a pair of fluffy socks with the date of the wedding embroidered so that everyone could chill in their socks eating fish and chips. You can get sausage, pies, chicken from most fish and chip shops. Some even do pizza and burgers.

[NewPapaGuinea]

I find big “take-away” gatherings a bit stressful with lots of faffing and flapping, especially if people want different things.

Why is it you want from a take-away? I’d probably get a caterer in to deal with the stress and logistics, but retain the eat at home atmosphere.

[thecatsthecats]

I'd LOVE this. If I were hosting this, I would get in a couple of catering staff to handle the set up and clear up if I had the budget for it. Two staff for two hours would cover setting up, ordering, collection, putting out and tidying after, and a bit of drink service too.

I hate "lovely buffets". Such an unsatisfactory way to eat - snippets of this or that. Somehow eating a bazillion calories, but also not feeling full at any point. Good as a snacking option but no good to replace a meal.

[thebeatofthedrum]

Many years ago I went to a wedding like this - there were very few guests and we went back to the bride's parents' house where they ordered a Chinese take away. We sat in their kitchen and shared food, drink, gossip and laughter.

It was a fabulous day and I still remember it nearly thirty years on. Do it.

[WhenWillFortniteEnd]

It sounds perfect!

[lisasimpsonssaxophone]

I went to a wedding that did this last year. Registry office then huge takeaway for about 30 people back at their house. The bride changed into pyjamas when we got back to theirs (fancy new ones with Mrs Surname embroidered on them). Lovely day!

[Silvanna]

I went to a wedding that the dress code was casual chic. They had a party in the garden with a fish and chips van, plus a table with some cold food platters, snacks and desserts. Lots of music and drinks. It was a great day.

[francienolan]

I think it sounds nice. I'd probably arrange it with the takeaway restaurant ahead of time just so you can be assured of them having enough stock in.

[hibbledibble]

Sure, why not, it's your wedding.

Whatever the event, I believe as a host it is polite to host guests adequately. So I would just make sure you are getting food that works for all the guests, and plenty of booze and soft drinks available. You may want to hire someone to help with serving food and clearing up afterwards, so that you can relax.

[palahvah]

Great idea - I agree with PP that you could get someone to sort it all out for you, arrange the table etc. You may be able to ask the takeaway place to use your serving dishes do you don't have a load of plastic on the table /to decant.

[Ihatehashtags]

If you’re paying for the food and drink then absolutely fine!

[thebabessavedme]

I think it sounds lovely - fwiw I have colitis, I can have quite a lot of Indian food, samosa, biriani, quite a few sides like bombay pots etc, I would ask your guests in advance what sort of dishes they can eat, for example so long as i stick to the least spicy (no meat either) I can really enjoy an Indian meal. I find pizza, chinese far more difficult.

[Erignon]

Great idea! Go for it!

[Tessabelle74]

We had a chip van at our wedding reception 4 years ago, people still talk about it being one of the best receptions they'd been too!

[Alsohuman]

I’d absolutely love it. We had our wedding reception at home and it was brilliant. Our takeaway was caterers but it was essentially the same deal.

[justmyview]

I don't think this is a great idea, sorry. I suspect that for the same price, you could have caterers cook a meal which would feel more special, and could still be informal / casual

I went to a wedding where they had ordered a takeaway. There were masses of containers on top of each other on a (not huge) table. Lids went missing, food got spilt, no one knew what was in each dish, dishes at the bottom of the pile didn't get opened because you couldn't reach them, people with allergies couldn't eat due to risk of contamination (spoons being used for pakora, then dipped in the chicken curry, so curry not suitable for GF diet etc). If you do go for this idea, I suggest you ensure you have a big table, plenty of large dishes for serving, and get people to serve it for you. Or could you eat in the Indian restaurant for the same price?

[AnotherWickedWitch]

I've not RTFT but I got married with about 20 guests. After the ceremony, we went and had a pub lunch. Perfect for us.

[Fishfingersandwichplease]

I tend to find the more laid back weddings are the ones l enjoy the most! Sounds perfect OP x

[GunpowderGelatine]

I'm not sure it's a great idea sorry. Just a bit too laid back. Why not get in outside catering and do afternoon tea?