Why does wedding food have to be fancy and elaborate?

Question

As long as the couple is offering something to the guests, where is it written that it must be fancy? Most people say they would rather have something simple that they are familiar with than something they can't pronounce or identify. So why do some people feel that others are being cheap and tacky if they go for something they like that they are familiar with rather than something they're not just to impress others?

Answer 1

Wedding food should NOT be fancy and elaborate. Just make sure it's a cut above what you'd normally have. Serving lobster and caviar is a waste, because the guests are not there for the food. Serving hot dogs on the other hand, isn't very festive.

Besides, what is unfamiliar food? Some people think that dim sum is exotic. It's all in what you're used to.

Answer 2

Chicken and Salmon are the top two foods served at weddings, unless you are in Texas and Midwest, in which they would serve beef.  Nothing really fancy about those as everyone is familiar with these.  All I would expect at a wedding would be a good quality cut of any one of those.  Why would anyone serve anything less?  What fancy foods are you referring too?

I would hope that on such a wonderful occasion, one would want to serve good food other than say a McDonald's Meal that so many have become accustomed.

Answer 3

mine is not going to be fancy. summer time wedding in texas we are having bar b que

Answer 4

I am personally steering clear of "fancy" food =) I hate when they put the stupid sauce on everything, and everyone ends up hating it. Why can't you just serve steak and potatoes? Or regular chicken? We are having things WE enjoy to eat. And if my guests don't like it, I am severely sorry.  

Answer 5

I prefer weddings where the food is not elaborate, but is delicious. My friend's buffet was gorgeous and the pasta stations were a nice touch, but the room had no air conditioning and it was too hot to eat. Not one person went up for seconds and loads of food that they paid for went to waste.

For my own wedding, we're having loads of homey italian food from our local Italian deli. I've never wanted fancy food - back when I would dream about my fairytale wedding, I wanted racks and racks of BBQ chicken served to my guests.

Answer 6

Wedding food doesn't have to be fancy. We had BBQ brisket and cheesy potatoes and our families loved it. I worried about it looking cheap and tacky for about a minute, and then decided that our guests would probably like it better than small portions of food that they didn't know what it was. Have what you want to eat. Good luck!

Answer 7

we wanted to just get some big Subway sandwiches. My dad, who was footing the bill, wanted something fancier.

I didn't want weird sauce on my meat and nuts in my greenbeans. (I was traumatized by this at my cousin's wedding when I was about 10) We're Italian, so I asked him if we could get a sort-of classy Italian place to cater (I love this place...he's kind-of indifferent to them) and he went for it.  

I did some stuff like spaghetti and sausage that people would reconize. I also had some (awesome) eggplant dish and fancier chicken dish. It was set up buffet style.  

Answer 8

It doesn't have to be fancy and elaborate. It should suit the tone of your wedding and your guests.

Answer 9

Its not written anywhere that it has to be fancy. I think simple food is good food. Some people seem automatically assume you must be poor if the food isn't fancy because they are rude and stuck up. Its like anything when it comes to wedding planning. They all want to have a go. Just because fancy food is in the criteria for their perfect wedding it doesn't mean that its what everyne else wants. Don't listen to anyone. I read you other question and your food sounds absoloutly fine. You are doing the right thing, its your day and it's gotta be how you like it and if somone has a problem with it them they don't have to come.  

Answer 10

I have been to all kinds of weddings, cake/punch only, BBQ, Subway catered, finger foods and the "fancy" one where everyone is looking at their plates and wondering what they are about to eat!  I have never ran into anyone (personally) who mentioned too much about the food. Just as long as it is good. They are there to see the Beautiful Bride and her groom getting married...the food is just a perk. So...do what ever you want! What makes YOU and your FINACE happy!  Personally, I enjoyed the laid back events SOOOO much more! It is relaxing and you can enjoy yourself.

Answer 11

I don't know, We are having a pig roast this coming Saturday.

My Son is getting married and the reception is in a tent $2000.00 tables,chairs,linins,lighting,champaigne fountain included.

Pig roast, by Granite State Grill works $1500.00

Porta-potty $220.00

   JOY....PRICELESS....

We are getting horderves from a local grocery store, cheese,veggies,dip etc.    My grandson is making a fruit platter to add to that, and Hamburg and hot dogs on the grill for kids who are afraid to eat a whole roasted pig.

Oh yes, egg plant pam. and spinage Kiesh and Broccoli Kiesh for my vegin guests!

EVERY one is Jonesin' to be there. 100 guests.

   So pig,chicken hamburg,hot dogs, simple appitisers, cole slaw, beans, corn on the cob, fruit

    I do not understand some folks, but we are going to have a blast this Saturday!

   P.S. any one who feels slighted, does NOT have to come and spoil the fun!    I can't wait to dig in Mother of the Groom, surrigate Mother of the Bride, Hostess, Bouncer, Financer,    someone get me a pill please....................

Answer 12

becuase  

Answer 13

it should be 'special occasion' food, if not at a wedding, then when?

please no hotdogs and hamburgers--let it be memorable. my 2 cents.

Answer 14

Most of the people attending a wedding are interested in items with which they are served and therefore, the people who have invited these people shall have to keep this psychology of the invitees in mind while preparing list of items to be served and in what manner those shall be served.  If this psychology is not kept in mind, then people shall be passing adverse remarks.

Answer 15

It doesn't.  Have whatever you want at your reception and don't worry if someone doesn't like the type of food you serve.  They are probably the type of person to find something to ***** about.  

Answer 16

You don't need fancy food.  If people only care about the food then don't invite them.  Just do what you want.

Answer 17

i dont think it has to fancy when i get married it will be but thats just because i like expensive food and who cares if their impressed its your wedding

Answer 18

i hate wedding food. its awefull, when they have all that c**p that you can't even tell what the h**l your eating. for one of my cousins wedding we had chicken (horrably dry), green beans with nasty stuff in it.  then at my other cousins wedding we had stuff like homemade roast beef, friend chicken, stuff like that and it was great.

in my opinion the bride and groom should have food they like and can enjoy, not fancy stuff just so it looks good. because like everybody on here said, its a day you'll remember for the rest of your life, so why do you want your memory to be of eating dried out chicken, green beans with funny stuff in it, and other nasty foods.

best wedding i went to had a chocalate fountain. not thats a good idea, cause it does look a little fancy plus who doesn't like chocolate.

oh and another had like a cheese and vegetable table thing. the cheese was just regular cube cheese from like wal-mart.  

Answer 19

i think u dont have 2 have fancy food. it's not how good it looks, but how good it tastes. But if u have the money 2 make it fancy then do it.

Answer 20

Actually, the type of food you have available for your guests, should consist of some "fancy" and some less formal choices, so there is something for everyone.

If you are aware that SOME of your guests aren't into the fancier food, then when you make up your menu, give two or three choices: one or two that are less fancy (such as rosemary chicken or teriyaki steak) and one that is just a little more rich (like chicken cordon bleu or meatballs burgundy) for those gourmet food connoiseurs! Remember: The key is to make sure that there is an item that everyone would like on the menu.

Then, there is always the less-expensive option, where you can skip ALL of the entrees and make the food at the wedding just a combination of salads, dips and hors d'oeuvres, like my siblings and I had catered for our parents' 50th wedding anniversary party! Everyone loved it and there were no complaints.

Whatever the case, the odds are that everyone will end up full from the food, happy from the libation and pleasantly tired from all of the dancing, by the time the celebration ends!

Answer 21

It doesn't.  I just bartended a wedding that had a Nacho bar for 250 people.  

Answer 22

To me,  it depends on the definition of fancy. If fancy means umrecognizable foods in combinations most people have never seen before, then I vote no to fancy foods. If we are talking about your average middle class wedding, then I vote that things like caviar would be out of place. Most people have never had it, and might  not like it, including me.

I vote for staying in the budget, have food that is familiar, well prepared, served pretty, and in quantities that even the football player best man could get full on. I vote that everybody finds the food so delish, that they wish they had room for thirds, but they know they have to save room for cake.

But, yes, fancy it up a little, after all, this is supposed to be a once in a lifetime event. Fix the food for the season, the time of day,and that it mostly matches the degree of fancy of the wedding.

Do you watch those wedding shoes on TV? I've seen hamburgers and hot dogs and tacos there. Right next to the beef carving station, and next to the dessert buffet with 25 selections on it.LOL.

So the groom's favorite food is hotdogs, so have them. Have a huge selection of condiments. So your having BBQ, so serve the baked beans out of a silver chafing dish. Having coleslaw? So I'll loan you my Wexford cut glass salad bowl to put it in.

So eat what you want, as long as, and I always say this, in 30 years when you have the photo album out and are looking at the pictures, you won't be mortified at the picture of you in your ball gown wedding dress munching on a coney dog. And you will be able to tell that the picture of Uncle Pete and Aunt Joy are from your wedding, not the BBQ your other uncle had last week.

  

Answer 23

Any excuse for a feast. Given that, you're never gonna make SOME people happy. Probably should have left them off the guest list.

Actually, since most of the history of weddings has been with marriage as a monetary or political joining, a lot of the purpose HAS been to impress others. So, tradition going for it there. You DO have the trumpeters lined up to announce the guests as they enter the castle, right?

Answer 24

No one wants pimento cheese sandwiches.  You can still dress up normal things without going overboard and show you still have class on a budget.  

Answer 25

well if they are giving you a nice gift you should give them good food