I call it 'trolling for gifts' especially if the ask for cash!

I absolutely hate the weddings at the expensive venues.  Everyone seems to end up and I am not sure why.  Perhaps the thinking the food is better due to the higher price or some just trying to out do their friends by being over the top.

Several of our friends got married over a period of 2 years and I quickly realized that no one remembers what was served at a wedding so long as they got enough to eat and the food was good.  Some receptions were at venues we had looked and ruled out because the meals were $50+ per plate  and I could not tell you what was served.  I know they were expensive because we had looked and they were way out of our budget as I come from a large family and have many great aunts, uncles and second cousins that enjoy getting together at weddings to catch up and have a good time.

There two wedding meals that I remember what was served:
1) Our own wedding where we had thin sliced prime rib sandwhiches, potatoes, green beans, and SDSU ice cream.
2) A friend that got married and they servered burgers and brats that were excellent and I remember because they were not traditional wedding food, but it was good.
Both are likey amongst the lowest price per plate for food of any weddings I have been to in last 20 years.