DIY Catering?

[snow_happy]

Hello everyone

The message board system at theknot.com is so screwy -- pricescope is so much better! Anywho, I wanted to ask if you all think this is possible:

Ordering food from two restaurants (one Chinese and one Italian) and then renting tables, chairs, linens, silverware, glassware and dishes from a rental company.

I have a few questions:
If you rent from the tables/chairs rental companies -- do they set up for you?
Will the catered food come in those retaining metal things that you can put sternos underneath?
Do we need to hire a wait staff for a buffet?

Our location offers BYO everything so that is great but I''m wondering if my idea has some unforeseen holes in it.

Thanks!

 

[qtiekiki]

I know that if you order from a Chinese restaurant, they will most likely come in those aluminum tin trays. When DH''s family have big bbq or get together, they also order some things from the restaurant and that''s what they always come in. They do fit into those holders and you can put the fuel under it (DH''s family does it all the times - I think one of the aunts own the racks and fuels). It''s not as nice a chafer though, but it''s doable if you have someone in charge of setting it up.

I think with the chairs and tables rental, there might be an extra fee for set-up. I am not sure, but our friends rented chairs for her ceremony and she had someone pick it up because it was a lot cheaper than if they deliver and set up.

I think it''s probably a good idea to get a wait staff to have clear tables and plates or add food to trays. I have this picture in my mind that if there''s no wait staff, there''s going to be a big mess (probably influenced by the big family get togethers that always end up with a big mess).

 

[FireGoddess]

1. Rental companies do not set up the tables and chairs for you. At least, ours didn't.

2. The food will come in tin containers, but you likely have to buy the wire frames to set them above a sterno, and of course, the sterno canisters yourself.

3. HIRE WAITSTAFF!!!!! You want people behind the tables to be dishing out the buffet food, and it would be nice for those people afterwards to clear the guests' plates from their tables, and then set up the wedding cake, coffee and dessert plates. These are also the people who should pack up the dirty (or cleaned) plates and glasses in the crates to be returned to the rental company. Did I mention you should not be doing any of the above yourself??? Trust me, I speak from experience.