Creative and Fun Wedding Ideas Made Simple Creative and Fun Wedding Ideas Made Simple
Perfect for those of you who are tying the knot this summer in an at-home gathering or a micro wedding! Why not celebrate your love in laidback style by hosting a casual wedding potluck BBQ, instead of a traditional sitdown reception? That way, all your dearest family and friends can feel right at home while savoring summer BBQ favorites that each one brings along to share.
Choose an open-air venue, like your own family backyard or patio—or for a larger guest list, perhaps a picnic grove for hire. Then, take inspiration from these heartwarming (and tummy-filling!) ideas we’re featuring for a summer wedding that brings together family, friends, food and fun in a potluck BBQ gathering to remember!
"I Do" BBQ Ideas from Food to Favors
Here are creative and delish ways to have that relaxed, at-home feel at your potluck-style BBQ, while still celebrating the main event, your wedding!
Send the word out via an invite like this Laidback Cookout Party Invitation (1) from Basic Invite. You can slip in a card to let your guests know that this will be a potluck event, so they can get their special BBQ recipes ready!
Some super-flavorful faves we suggest are these Backyard Baby Back Ribs (2), recipe from KC Masterpiece, that are basted while grilling with a mixture of lager beer, spicy brown mustard, and KC Masterpiece® Sweet Honey and Molasses Barbecue Sauce®.
Perfect sides to pair with the ribs would be Hickory Pit Beans (4) that can be ordered online from Jack Stack BBQ—thick, smoky-sweet and loaded with chunks of their famous hickory-smoked brisket. They’re delivered frozen, so just defrost and heat through to serve! Plus another BBQ classic, this Creamy Coleslaw (3) recipe from Oyster and Onion, with a sweet and tangy dressing of chopped pickles, pickle juice, finely chopped onions, vinegar and paprika—made creamy with milk or half-and-half. And for must-have munchies, ORE-IDA Grilled French Fries (6) from My Food and Family that go straight from the pack to a disposable foil pan to heat through on the grill!
To complete the menu, serve refreshments in an ice-filled tub holding "Put a Lid on It" Mason Jar Cocktails (8). Such a cute and cool way to serve cocktails, mocktails, juices and punch in mini mason jars, courtesy of Betty Crocker. And a playful BBQ-themed cake (5), inspired by Kotecki’s "I-Do BBQ" picnic menu.
Take advantage of being outdoors by planning simple lawn games with a wedding twist. Like this "Put a Ring on It" Ring-Toss game (7) (image from Oriental Trading) that you can easily DIY. Then, for wedding favors, have each guest "Take Home S’more Love" (9) as found on Crafts by Amanda, with these printable tags provided.
For more ideas on what BBQ faves to serve or what to bring as potluck to share, check these posts out:
What to Serve Your Guests at a Casual Wedding Reception
A July 4th Wedding Picnic at Home in Red, White and Blue!
Plan a Hip and Modern Rehearsal Dinner BBQ