Post # 1
Member
30 posts
Newbee
My fiance and I are on a budget and want something unique for our wedding reception but still want the traditional dancing/alcohol/food etc. We also don’t want to cut people off of our list because of money.
We found this amazing barn we want to have our reception at – and loved the idea of doing portillos and getting a few kegs and a bunch of a wine. An issue that came up was plates/utensils/cups etc. since we wouldn’t be hiring a caterer that provides them but we figured we could just do paper/plastic?
We think we’ll be able to do all of this for under $3500 which is perfect. (Everywhere else we were looking at was at least $5000 and more so than not in the $7500-$10,000 range)
BUT my mom isn’t thrilled about the idea and we’re wondering if everyone else will think it’s weird to have portillos cater the wedding.
When it comes to the reception one of our priorities is making sure it’s a fun time for everyone so i want your honest thoughts about how you would react if you went to a wedding like this.
Thoughts? Ideas?
Post # 3
Member
47 posts
Newbee
It should be whatever you want. I think it sounds like a blast. Just make sure that it is what you really want. I haven’t lived in Chicago in years, and I still think about Portillo’s hot dogs!
Post # 4
Member
75 posts
Worker bee
Portillo’s is sooo yummy! I would be delighted to see it/eat it
Post # 5
Member
1962 posts
Buzzing bee
I am not familiar with this restaurant but do they have good food? If so, go for it! And re: utinsils, ask if they do provide. A restaurant that does catering usually can. In the event that they don’t, no stress. Google “nice disposable plates” or something close and you will find a ton of hits on affordable and pretty (sometimes eco friendly) disposable diningware. Good luck!
Post # 6
Member
1124 posts
Bumble bee
I think Portillos is a great idea! Not only is it delicious, but they offer options for vegetarians as well. Your venue isn’t some super fancy thing where the type of food would be out of place either. It would cost you and your FH less money, so unless your mom wants to put money in for a more “acceptable” option… I’d be thrilled! Great casual option, YUM!
Post # 7
Member
82 posts
Worker bee
I think that is an amazing idea. I would be thrilled to go to a wedding with Portillos as the food. If your mom is worried, have her help you look for ways to “dress up’ the plates and settings. Like SBourgeous said, the food isn’t going to be out of place, even if it were I think there are few people in the Chicagoland area that would ever complain about the food. I think most people will be raving about it and telling everyone they know!
Also I would think that if you contact Portillos early enough they would be more than willing to work with you to make it look great!
Post # 8
Member
47 posts
Newbee
As an additional note, I would avoid the paper plates if possible — they just get a lot more messy and harder to “load up”, lol. Costco and a few other places have some amazing plasticwear that looks really nice and is a bit sturdier for the price. There are also a lot of plastic utensil possibilities now that come in a silver color and add a bit more panache.
