Planning a potluck goes smoothly once you cover these in order. Guava’s potluck planner (linked below) handles the sign-up and reminders automatically, but the checklist works even with a plain group chat.
Send the invite and set a headcount deadline. Ask upfront whether anyone has dietary restrictions so you can plan categories around them.
Open sign-up for dish categories (main, side, salad, dessert, drinks) rather than specific dishes, so people claim a category and you avoid five identical pasta salads.
Send a reminder to anyone who hasn’t signed up for a dish yet. This is the single most common point where potlucks fall short.
Confirm final headcount and check that every category (not just every guest) has at least one dish assigned.
Confirm serving equipment — who’s bringing serving spoons, a slow cooker, ice, plates/napkins — since dishes get covered but table logistics often don’t.
Set out a card or label next to each dish naming what it is and who brought it — this also flags allergens for guests who need to ask.