Reception food

Portillos is awesome! Anyway self catering is a horrible idea for a wedding so please don't do that.

She is not looking to self-cater before everyone freaks out.

ETA: I would call Portillos and see what they recommend. Maybe they have someone they normally work with.

See about hiring staff from a catering company to take care of it. They may freelance for the right price.

ETA- and you may want to change it from DIY reception food or people may freak about self catering.

Do you have a venue picked yet? You'll need to make sure they are cool with outside catering.

Good call....changed the title of this thread :p

We don't have a venue yet, we would pick one that is open to that sort of thing.

My mom gets us portillos shipped to us every year for Christmas! I need to figure out a way to make this happen lol.

Are you located in Chicago?

I am hiring a few college kids to put the food out and keep it filled during dinner. You also have to find out how you will keep the food warm and or cold during that time.

You can order chaffing dishes online for around 25 to 75 each. Just put some water in the pan and light the sternos. Slide the food trays over the pans that have the water in them before you start serving and you're good to go. I've catered plenty of weddings before, so I'm actually planning on ordering my food in bulk from a local restaurant and then using my own chaffers so I don't have to overpay for catering. I have plenty of people willing to help set up before the reception though. Usually restaurants take advantage of people who want catering because they're willing to pay it. Just a suggestion!

^ what about replenishing when low? Set up? Tear down? No thank you. Not something I want to worry about on my wedding day. May I add that the chocolate cake from there is to die for! They are opening Wisconsin's 1st Portillos this year! I am thrilled!

Please don't tell me you are going to ask your guests to work for their dinner, Cierra??

I actually found a rental company that offers services like serving and setting up your food.

Yummy, Portillo's chocolate cake!!

Yes we're in Chicago. What was the company, Luisa & Alex?