Catering for your wedding can be one of the most expensive parts of the day, so it makes sense that many couples would look for ways to cut down on costs where possible.
But social media users were left stunned when one bride took to Facebook to show off her pre-prepared catering option, with many calling it 'dangerous'.
A picture of the food was shared on Reddit's wedding shaming thread - and other users were completely horrified, with some admitting they wouldn't attend, even if they had already RSVPd.
Advert
In the photo, the bride has prepared 30lb of pasta salad in an inflatable pool.
"Wedding food prep day three," she wrote. "30lb of pasta salad (yes, that's an inflatable pool).
The pasta appears to be mixed with olives, cherry tomatoes, salami and feta cheese, leaving people pretty concerned that the entire wedding party could be wiped out with food poisoning.
Advert
Many pointed out that the pasta salad didn't appear to be refrigerated, leading to even more concerns.
One person commented: "I am so confused and concerned that this is day 3 and the pasta is in this container that cannot be refrigerated... If this is not the wedding day they are going to be serving pasta that has been sitting out in this container for at least a day??
"What stuff was made on days 1 and 2 and how was it stored?! No wedding favor quite like food poisoning I guess."
Advert
Meanwhile another said: "Omg I can taste the food poisoning already. I went to a wedding that was self-catered without anything being kept cold or warm. I did not have a good night."
And a third said: "This is a public health nightmare scenario. I truly hope no one ate that."
Others pointed out that even serving food in a paddling pool was unsanitary, with another adding: "In addition, I'm almost certain pool plastic isn't food safe, even if they could have refrigerated it."
Advert
And a second asked: "And how exactly did they clean it before adding the food?"
Meanwhile a third added: "And the stench of that pool plastic is absolutely infusing each piece of pasta and the tomatoes too. What a horrible idea sheez."
Healthline explains that one of the most common pathogens to grown on old pasta is 'B. cereus' which can cause cramps, nausea, diarrhoea, and vomiting. In severe cases, it can even be fatal.
"If you eat old pasta that has other ingredients in it, such as meat, eggs, or dairy products, it’s more likely to be exposed to other common germs like Salmonella, Campylobacter, Clostridium, or Listeria as well," they add.
Advert
We'd be steering well clear of that dish!
Lucy Devine