Getting the Food to the Reception

Damn Bea are you in my mind? How did you know?

Niki, I'm aware of the few guests that have dietary restrictions, and I've already made accommodations for them.

I don't see why people feel the need to be rude on here?

This used to be fun. I'm out. Congrats, ladies and Richard, you've officially ruined this for me.

@celia apparently neither do any of you. Grown women taking time out of their day to be THIS mean to someone about something so trivial is pathetic and you all should be embarrassed. No one is saying you can't state your opinion/concern about what she is asking. But to go out of your way to Google pictures to bully her with and to be this hurtful is disgusting.

The folks on here are only saying to you what your guests will say behind your back. It's just not a good idea and there's not a good way to transport pounds of chicken fingers over an hour away and keep them "fresh." So there's your answer. Perhaps looking into a different menu from an actual caterer will relieve your stress on this issue.

Katrina, an "at your own risk station"?!?! I just died.

Andreya, I would probably lie and tell you I was vegetarian so I could eat something aside from chicken nuggets. I don't eat anything breaded unless it was literally fried moments before. I'm not a princess, I just hate fried food. Most weddings have 2-3 choices as an entree for a reason.

Good luck with your idea!

Also, fun fact. Most people you know IRL will not tell you how crappy your idea is, especially regarding your wedding. They will just talk about it behind your back.

Can we stop overusing the word "Bully"? Please? Lord.

Ah Richard, so much comedy so little time...

" You are about to make what is possible the most important commitment of your life, but don't be chicken; don't be starchy. Because in love there is hope, there is heat and there is comfort (food).

Your love may be battered, your love will surely go through the fire, but your love has shown it can stand any amount of heat; it can stand the test of thyme"...

I should be writing. Me bad.

Andreya, don't be mad. We're simply trying to save you from creating a situation that will draw side eye and Thanksgiving whispers for years to come. That's why we're here.

Honestly I thought the points brought up here were really good. They were basically saying that her idea of a platter from a restaurant 30 minutes away was not logistically feasible if she wanted tasty, warm food for her guests. My FH is a picky eater and would LOVE chicken tenders at a wedding- but even he would be disappointed if everything was soggy and cold.

The only sass/mean-ness I've seen started after OP came back and ignored all of the (reasonable) concerns the commenters had. Sometimes you can't get an idea through to someone, so you make sure you're at least having fun.

One of my favorite meals is real mashed potatoes, roasted chicken, and my own special chicken gravy. In fact, it's what I made for dinner last night. Chicken tenders are a tasty snack -- if they're all white meat, cooked at home, and served immediately after cooking.

I've had chicken tenders at a huge buffet restaurant in our area -- once. They sit under heat lamps. Frankly, they're kind of gross. So, we have a bride and her FH who adore this super casual meal. They love it so much that they're serving it at their wedding (and how that bride would know that all of her guests are pretty excited about that menu is a mystery to me -- unless she did a survey. A handful of guests? Sure. All of them? Doubtful). Honestly, the first thing I thought of as I read the OP's original post was showing up at a wedding and being served reheated chicken fingers. I'd be a little surprised, but then again, I don't know where all of these weddings are taking place that feature mediocre to bad food (and the fact that this bad wedding food issue comes up semi-regularly tells you that people absolutely notice bad wedding food. Beyond that, I don't understand the logic of downgrading the type of food to insure a tastier meal). The weddings I attend serve excellent, restaurant quality food. I love receiving a wedding invitation in the mail. I look forward to attending that wedding for months. I know it's going to be a fabulous affair.

Yes, people are coming to your wedding because they care about you, but they are still expecting a celebration -- something that doesn't feel like the annual church dinner or a dinner at the big buffet restaurant. They have spent money to be a part of your day. They've also expended time. Have your wedding in your grandmother's basement and serve Beefaroni and green Koolaid and see how far their loves extends. Sure, your immediate family will attend (because they have to), but if you think extended family and friends are going to extend themselves in the name of love and crappy food, you're wrong. It doesn't matter if you think that's fair or not. Life isn't fair, and if you don't put your guests first, you'll have to deal with the disappointing outcome.

It's just a fact of life.

Guys, she doesn't WANT some "fancy ass meal". She wants soggy ass, fast food, chicken fingers. Along with mashed potatoes that start as a powder and just need water added. She's the BRIDE. She does what she wants! Guests don't matter.

Her guests will be wearing boots! She has been to weddings where food wasn't even served! This will be a step up for them.

It will be fabulous.

I understand that having your favorite food at the wedding is am important idea. My FH loves IN N OUT. Would I say let's pick up 50 #1s and drive them a half an hour to feed our guests? Hell no, because even though he loves it, the shit would be gross by the time they get there. They do however have a food truck, and that would be the compromise. (This is a hypothetical situation and absolutely not happening) You need to understand that the posts are being made to get you to see this objectively, and that food is an important factor in properly hosting your guests. There are some here that are spending $$$$ to make sure they are doing just that. It is your wedding, but the reality is it isn't all about you.

Centerpiece, don't forget the toy.

Helena.....

Got it! Just plug in a few microwaves or convection ovens and have the guests cook their own. Like the waffle bar at a hotel!

Andreya, hope you're not too upset. Honestly. Yes, we like to have fun here. We also like to be honest.

Listen.. I personally think chicken, gravy, potatoes, salad sounds like a FANTASTIC meal! No complaints there! Just hoping you can find a better way so that it is still delicious and edible.

Your choice of food isn't bad, but logistically it could turn into a nightmare and as the bride, Im sure you dont want to eat cold, soggy food. Hope you don't take any honest and true offence.

I hope it all works out just fine! I really do

Here is some advice you may take......

Wait, you can save money by just doing this!

OP - this is a bad idea. You KNOW this is a bad idea, you just refuse to admit it. So go on, get snarky and offended and butt hurt, but we are trying to save you from some epic embarrassment that is coming your way. Would you rather be schooled now, or be made fun of behind your back when your guests discover you've served them cafeteria food?

Woe, Emily...weddings where no food is served? Really, who does that? Does anybody do that? Even the hot dog and water bride didn't do that. If you aren't serving food, don't invite people to a reception that isn't a reception. How do people actually justify this type of nonsense? Having said that, if this group is accustomed to not eating at receptions, maybe this menu sounds like heaven to them. I'm out of my league here. These aren't the types of weddings I'm accustomed to -- personally, it doesn't happen. Professionally, if the couple is spending thousands on flowers, they've already spent three or four times that amount on food.

Celia...I'd ask for the boy toy (even if I'm a girl). I've got a six year old grandson who loves those silly toys. He won't eat the chicken nuggets in the happy meal (and he won't even consider ordering the so-called "hamburgers"), but he'll dig through that thin cardboard happy box to find the toy.

ETA: Damn, Celia...you have a real talent for satire. I can't tell you how many times I've laughed at your posts on this thread. I think you're staying within the boundaries of the new rules, but in all honesty, that rule might have honed your skills. Third graders on a field trip? If we removed your sense of professionalism, I think we'd be rolling on the floor.

Centerpiece, I have personally never seen a wedding with no food, but in the comments the OP says she has been to weddings with no food. I guess somebody does that.

Honestly OP, I would love me some fried chicken and all the fixings for a meal. Before it spiraled out of control, there was some good advice given. Look into food trucks, or other options to go with the chicken. Fast food chicken fingers will not be appetizing after an hour, and I love me some fast food. Please consider other options. You can still do your chicken strips/fried chicken, but don't do fast food.

Emily, I have to tell you...I know you take some heat on this site, but I'd like you to know that I love your posts. I think you understand the rules of etiquette, and I think you articulate them beautifully. I'm sure your wedding was an affair I would have loved to attend. I'm also sure that your guests had a magnificent time. I'm a fan, Emily. You come across as a very intelligent woman.