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Andreya
Expert June 2016

Getting the Food to the Reception

Andreya, on April 18, 2016 at 1:26 PM

Posted in Do It Yourself 190

Before we were even engaged, my FH and I decided we wanted chicken fingers, mashed potatoes, and tons of gravy at our wedding. None of the caterers in the area would do that for us, so we're going to order party platters from a local chicken restaurant. The problem is that they don't deliver. The...

Before we were even engaged, my FH and I decided we wanted chicken fingers, mashed potatoes, and tons of gravy at our wedding. None of the caterers in the area would do that for us, so we're going to order party platters from a local chicken restaurant. The problem is that they don't deliver. The place is 30 min away from our venue, so that's at least an hour of driving. I want the food to be as fresh as possible, so I don't want to pick it up before the ceremony. We did hire servers for when the food arrives, but I can't think of a good way to get the food there! It will either have to sit a while under heat lamps, or I'll have to ask someone to go pick it up. I'm worried that could seem offensive.

Has anyone else dealt with getting your own food? Or does anyone have ideas for ways to pick it up?

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190 Comments

  • Celia Milton
    Celia Milton ·
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    Kristy; I think you are BRILLIANT! A bucket on a cake stand=no centerpieces.

    I love multitasking.

    @OP Well, if it's real chicken then it's a fine idea.

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  • OG Kathryn
    Champion May 2016
    OG Kathryn ·
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    Do you at least have appetizers? veggie displays? anything besides chicken nuggets?

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  • Niki
    Master June 2016
    Niki ·
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    Menu choices aside, the problem is that this isnt realistically feasible. Fried food doesnt travel well at all, and after 30 minutes driving, sitting in the kitchen being plated/put into serving dishes - its just not going to taste good at all.

    Seriously, do a dry run of this - go get some chicken from the restaurant, drive it home and wait 30 minutes, then sit it on the counter and throw it in a serving dish and wait another 5-10 minutes (and this is being generous with how much time this will take to set up the buffet).

    You will very quickly see that it is not going to be good. Fried food like chicken tenders is something that needs to be made on location, honestly.

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  • Kristy
    Master November 2015
    Kristy ·
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    @Celia Could also just stack the empty buckets upside down on top of each other for a makeshift layer cake lol.

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  • Mrs. Mac
    Master July 2016
    Mrs. Mac ·
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    Andreya - Have you considered the super valid point several people here have tried to point out? Fried chicken tenders sitting for over an hour are going to be a cold, soggy mess. You really want to feed that to your guests?

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  • OMW
    Master August 2013
    OMW ·
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    She said on an earlier thread that it's salsa and chips and queso for cocktail hour.

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  • KRAIN
    VIP May 2025
    KRAIN ·
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    I find it hard to believe that a caterer can't make chicken fingers. If you add a veggie and another protein option (beef? Salmon?) I'm sure any caterer would be open to it. Your food will arrive cold and gross if driven 30 minutes

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  • OG Kathryn
    Champion May 2016
    OG Kathryn ·
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    WHOA.. salsa and chips. I think what Celia and Krissy said is spot on. This is your wedding! Its not Tuesday night stopping to grab some dinner.

    Why don't you save this for the rehearsal dinner so you can get what you want? Then look for an adult option that properly hosts your guests.

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  • Audrey
    Devoted October 2016
    Audrey ·
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    If you insist on chicken and "tons of gravy" that's fine, it is your wedding. But you cannot reasonably expect it to be warm. Fast food is cold from the time I drive home in 10 minutes. Also forget about people with food restrictions, I don't eat fast food purely on principal and def don't feed it to my kids.

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  • FutureMilitaryWife (Jessica)
    Super November 2016
    FutureMilitaryWife (Jessica) ·
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    Http://static1.squarespace.com/static/5538186ae4b06ba92bec8517/t/56c49a6640261d1a89e4def5/1455725158334/160216_Hoovers_Catering-Menu.pdf

    these guys will cater buffet of friend chicken. Professionals. Safety.

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  • Rayna
    Devoted May 2016
    Rayna ·
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    My caterer is making chicken fingers, no problem.......for the preschoolers in attendance.

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  • FutureMilitaryWife (Jessica)
    Super November 2016
    FutureMilitaryWife (Jessica) ·
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    I mean, will you be upset if your reception ends early because people get the stomach bug from food going bad?

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  • StephanieSky
    VIP March 2017
    StephanieSky ·
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    What about a vegetarian option? Or what about guests with allergies? Do you have anything planned for them to eat?

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  • Kristy
    Master November 2015
    Kristy ·
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    @DumbleDora LOL!

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  • hilaryetta
    Devoted October 2016
    hilaryetta ·
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    A caterer should able to provide chicken fingers. We're having it served at a "kids" station in addition to the other food that accommodates everyone by our caterer. I once got bacterial poisoning from chicken that sat out too long so I would strongly advise against trying to serve what would become room temperature or lukewarm chicken tenders.

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  • Kristy
    Master November 2015
    Kristy ·
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    Cake and place card idea. Go all in with this theme!



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  • ELK
    Master March 2018
    ELK ·
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    This sounds like belly pains waiting to happen.

    Honestly, I don't see the idea of fried chicken as that much different than BBQ. Are there no soul food restaurants that cater near you? You could definitely get fried chicken and mashed potatoes/gravy and some other options catered. However, if your venue doesn't have the appropriate kitchen, it might be difficult.

    Stop with the fast food though. People bring gifts to weddings and you want to serve them fast food? That's inappropriate in my opinion and if I were your guest, I'd be unhappy.

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  • hilaryetta
    Devoted October 2016
    hilaryetta ·
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    If all else fails...


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  • jewles322
    Master March 2015
    jewles322 ·
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    There are plenty of caterers that will make chicken fingers...as a child food option.

    I agree with Celia, and want to add, I would hate going to a wedding where the only food options were chicken fingers and mashed potatoes. Have some decency and choose some adult options.

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  • Mrs. CK
    VIP November 2015
    Mrs. CK ·
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    Just an idea, but a food truck might solve your issues and still be able to have chicken.

    http://www.electriccock.com/catering

    http://themunchiez.com/

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