Potluck in invitation

Wine Enthusiast

I am hosting a huge 4th of July party and the website I'm using to send the evites this time has a potluck portion in the invitation that also allows me to write a message.  This is an annual party with most of the same attendees but this year my theme is red white & blue luau (New this year) so my menu reflects that.  We'll have many people attending who always offer to bring a dish so how do I kindly say- don't feel obligated to bring a dish but if you want to, bring a Hawaiian themed dish?  Or is that totally tacky?  I feel like my mind is clouded when its my own party and I don't want my guests to think- geez whats with her!  This is what I have so far- please critique!  Below this message is the list of everything I will have.  TIA

 "We will have lots of food so its not necessary you bring something, but you are welcome to bring a dish to share if you have a tropical specialty you like to make...  Our theme is Hawaiian Luau so all our dishes reflect that!"

casmgn

Do not include anything about people bringing food on the invite.

If someone wants to bring something, they will ask you, and at that point you can say they can bring something tropical-related such as x, y or z if they would like, but that it's not necessary.

TarHeels&Rebels

PP - did you see that this is an evite, not paper? 

Wine, I'm an etiquette snob and I wouldn't care about potluck instructions in an evite precisely because it's an evite.  Evites exist for casual GTGs just like this one. 

Here's just a general hostessing thing that I've picked up over the years: it's hard to get people to conform to what you have in mind.  If you open something up to potluck, be prepared to get dishes you wouldn't have served.  That's why I don't do potlucks often - because I really enjoy crafting a menu that says what I want it to say and because, let's be real, I want control over what's served, in effect, with my name on it. 

I think here you should be prepared to respect that Aunt Joan has been making her apple pie for the 4th for the last 37 years and isn't going to stop (or is going to be hurt) because you came up with a tropical theme.

There's nothing wrong in saying the theme's X and it'd be fun if you played along.  The current wording's pretty stilted, so try instead, "We'll have plenty of food and supplies, so don't worry about bringing anything.  If you do want to contribute, our new theme this year is patriotic luau, so bring a tropical dish to share."

casmgn

Yes I saw it was an evite. I don't think that makes it ok to include verbiage like that.

amandasw

TarHeels&Rebels:

"We'll have plenty of food and supplies, so don't worry about bringing anything.  If you do want to contribute, our new theme this year is patriotic luau, so bring a tropical dish to share."

 

vjcjenn1

how about "If you want to add to our Hawaiian feast, the more the merrier...but please don't feel obligated, we'll have plenty either way"

vjcjenn1

actually I like the one already suggested too!

torneen

I think it is okay to ask that people bring a Hawaiian inspired dish.... as long as you give examples or link to a page with recipes.  Many people might be stumped as to what qualifies.  Maybe just put, "Any potluck contribution is appreciated.. especially those that are Hawaiian dishes.  Here is a link to a page with some interesting recipes."

6fsn

I can see both sides of putting something or not.  As a guest I wouldn't be put out if you mentioned it, but I would certainly not show up empty handed.  I like Tar's suggestion or

"We will be providing the following.....  If we missed your favorite island fare please feel free to bring it along!"

lsgarver

I think it's totally fine to tell guests you have it covered but you'll welcome all tropical contributions.  But, like Tarheels said, don't be surprised if people show up with random stuff, either because they didn't read it or didn't care.

Wine Enthusiast

TarHeels&Rebels:

There's nothing wrong in saying the theme's X and it'd be fun if you played along.  The current wording's pretty stilted, so try instead, "We'll have plenty of food and supplies, so don't worry about bringing anything.  If you do want to contribute, our new theme this year is patriotic luau, so bring a tropical dish to share."

That is perfect TarHeels&Rebels and I also like this by 6fsn:

"We will be providing the following.....  If we missed your favorite island fare please feel free to bring it along!"

 

I have done the potluck via evite in the past and it went over well.  I wouldn't dare include a potluck if it were a bday party or other type of gift giving event but this is a very casual fun party.  I was mostly worried about if there was a proper etiquette to the request that I wasn't following.  The same people (mostly family) have been coming for over 5 years and most want to contribute a dish.  I will not care if some people bring something outside of the luau theme,  just wanted the bulk of food to fit that theme. 

Thanks gals!!!!