Asking wedding guests to pay for their own meals???

themull1

Cut down on the guests and pay for a buffet.

BlueAngelCV

Sounds like a very sensible idea to me. I'm sure that good family & friends wouldn't mind, I certainly wouldn't.

I really don't see why others have a problem with it. As long as you respect the decision of those who decide not to I don't see the issue. If they say they can't afford it then surely they understand that if they can't afford £25 then you can't afford £1250!

As to the suggestion that you invite less people & pay for a buffet, I don't see why you shouldn't be able to invite who you want. Surely people will be more offended by not being invited then by being asked to pay.

I think that as long as you make it clear on the invite (and phrase it nicely) what the position is & what the cost will be then it is completely reasonable.

themull1

i personally think its just a cheap way of getting what you want, if you can't afford it, don't have it.

Queen_Of_The_Jungle

Goodness me I would rather get married with no guests than making them pay. Surely you could save up until you have enough money to pay for your guests meals.

craftygranny

Friend of mine got married and instead of a huge buffet took us all to toby carvery it was fab. She had rang a few weeks before hand to check it would be okay everyone had a great time and they gave a discount too.

MrHippo

It kind of sounds ok but I think you need to give your guests more flexibility rather than just expecting them to pay a set amount. The great thing about pubs is, you don't *have* to eat in them. Wouldn't it be better to go for drinks and let people choose if they want a meal?

Then you can say "We'll be celebrating our marriage in The X pub and hope you can join us for drinks. The X also has a range of reasonably priced food if you want to eat there.

Although I suppose with that many people the pub will want to know in advance how many will be eating...that could make it tricky. But maybe you could ask people to let you know if they'll be eating.

I think £20-25 per head is a lot for a pub meal, I pay that for 2 mains + 2 pints in my local.

Giggles_Fairy

I wouldnt mind paying if it was a cheap meal, but £20-25 per person is really expensive. I work in a pub/restaurant and our menu is 2 for 1 so you get 2 meals for £10 mostly. We have had large parties in before where they have paid for thenselves several times. Paying that low amount for a meal wouldnt bother me especially if it was optional, but I couldnt afford £50 between me and my partner! At my place fo work we also corner off a section for larger parties and allow them to decorate etc like a poster above suggested, so it may be worth asking around more pubs/resturants for options.

prosaver

tell them to bring their own sandwiches and cans

ska_lover

Congratulations on your wedding!

To be honest if I was a guest, it just wouldn't sit right with me.

It is not cheap to be a guest at a wedding there are things to consider:-Clothes,Travel, Booking time off work maybe,Wedding presents for the happy couple, maybe accomodation, babysitting fees, drinks etc.

Most people are struggling for cash, and you might find that some people decide that they cannot afford it. At £25 a head, if you went as part of a couple, your wedding could end up setting them back some serious cash that they cannot afford, as much as they may like to be at your big day.

I dont think its a cheap way of getting what you want,I think it is rather inventive to be honest - Just not the way I would do things

Ive always disliked the idea of a 'big' wedding as I think it is fake and end up inviting friends/family people hardly ever see... when it is really about two people and a wedding does not have to cost a fortune, how about having something like a hog roast, or chip in all the women in your family to create a buffett?

prosaver

so do they have to buy you presents then?