Skip to main content

Post content has been hidden

To unblock this content, please click here

C
Beginner

Venue allowing outside caterers!!!

Cece100, 13 May, 2015 at 17:36 Posted on Planning 1 19

Hi ladies,

I have not created a post before but have commented on others so hope I am doing this correctly!

My OH and I would like to incorporate both our cultures into our day and would quite like to have Caribbean food at some point on the day. However, I am finding it quite difficult to find a venue that will allow an outside/ external catering company to do the catering. At the venues we have looked at they have stated it has to be either their in-house catering team or a company they are in partnership with. Some have suggested that they can try to accommodate our food wishes (but i don't mean to sound rude) but we don't feel it will be authentic and won't taste as good if it is not their usual style of cooking.

We are looking for venues in the Shropshire, West Midlands, Staffordshire region and we would very much like a barn/ country house/ stately home/ or historic building sort of venue. We don't want a restaurant, pub or village hall kind of affair.

If anyone would be able to offer any suggestions that would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

19 replies

Latest activity by Fey, 22 May, 2019 at 22:11
  • F
    Beginner August 2016
    Fruityxx ·
    • Report
    • Hide content

    Hi I can't help with your choice of venues I'm afraid.

    But just wanted to say that we wanted outside catering too but again struggled with venues allowing it.

    we then found one venue who was willing to compromise, we're having the venues own catering for the wedding breakfast then just their basic buffet for the evening. We are then allowed to bring in outside caribbean caterers to top up the evening buffet. Technically this will cost us more, but not having caribbean food for us was a deal breaker.

    so my point is you may be able to negotiate/compromise with the venues Smiley smile xx

    good luck xx

    • Reply
  • C
    Beginner
    Cece100 ·
    • Report
    • Hide content

    Thanks Fruity, that is something for us to think about. Really can't see the logic in some venues being so restrictive if the catering company have all the right insurances and certificates!?

    • Reply
  • L
    Beginner July 2016
    Leelee85 ·
    • Report
    • Hide content

    Hi Cece,

    some venues have a list of approved caterers and often you might have one or two who cater for Caribbean weddings on the list.

    Also, if you aren't looking at a package look for venues which do Dry hire. It means you'll have to do everything yourself but you get more freedom to have the vendors you want.

    it's tough when they are so rigid. Good luck!

    • Reply
  • M
    Beginner September 2015
    mrsh2b89 ·
    • Report
    • Hide content

    Have you looked at Rodbaston Hall in Penkridge?

    I went to a wedding there last year and you arrange your own caterers, bar etc. The grounds are lovely as well for photos.

    • Reply
  • M
    Beginner September 2015
    mrsh2b89 ·
    • Report
    • Hide content

    Sorry just noticed on their website that you have to use their recommended caterers. Shame, this must have been a recent change.

    Sandon Hall allow outside caterers if you use their marquee. Also noticed Pimhill Barn in Shrewsbury - that also allows outside caterers.

    Good luck!

    • Reply
  • S
    Beginner June 2015
    Scottish_Sarah ·
    • Report
    • Hide content

    It is possible but you have to look outside the box - we have a barn in Cambridgeshire its not advertised as a wedding venue (not licensed for weddings) but allows us to do what we want (dry hire as mentioned) it's a farm shop but just checking around you can find them. Have you tried National trust places? Some in Scotland allow anything you like.

    • Reply
  • C
    Beginner
    Cece100 ·
    • Report
    • Hide content

    Thanks for your suggestions ladies,

    Leelee85 - i will definitely go through the list of recommended suppliers more thoroughly and see if they can do Caribbean catering, the venues we have looked at so far all are in partnership with a company called Jenkins and their food looks beautiful but not what we want. It's all too British! (if that makes sense- don't mean to offend anyone!)

    Can i also just clarify that you mean DRY and not DIY? If so i have never heard of dry hire before but that is definitely an option and doing everything myself shouldn't be a problem as i am very fussy and want everything to look just how i want it! haha and to be as personalised as possible.

    mrsh2b89 - yes i looked at Rodbaston Hall a couple of years ago when my sister was getting married (not looked for myself) and although it was beautiful once you got to the house, i wasn't overly keen on the entrance and drive up to the property. Again maybe me being over fussy and i need to learn to compromise on what its more important!

    Thanks for the suggestions on Sandon Hall and Pimhill Barn, i will definitely look into those.

    Scottish_Sarah - thank you, i think you are right i do need to look outside the box a bit more, in fairness i have only really started the search and have been hit by a couple of brick walls in connection to the catering issue at typical wedding reception venues and was feeling a little frustrated by the level of restrictions in place as we can't be the only people who want a nice fancy reception venue but don't want run of the mill catering. Not being a wedding venue itself shouldn't be a problem either as we will be having a church ceremony so will not need to be licensed for weddings.

    Thanks feeling a little bit more upbeat.

    • Reply
  • RoseArcana
    RoseArcana ·
    • Report
    • Hide content

    Try this website: http://independent-weddings.co.uk/

    Looks like it has some hidden gems on there! x

    • Reply
  • C
    Beginner
    Cece100 ·
    • Report
    • Hide content

    RoseArcana- Thank you! - quite right looks like there are some hidden gems on the list. Fingers crossed x

    • Reply
  • RoseArcana
    RoseArcana ·
    • Report
    • Hide content

    Hope you find 'the one' ? x

    • Reply
  • C
    Beginner
    Cece100 ·
    • Report
    • Hide content

    Haha me too x (knowing my bad luck when i do it will be out of budget,? haha !)

    • Reply
  • L
    Beginner July 2016
    Leelee85 ·
    • Report
    • Hide content
    View quoted message

    Dry hire but could also be considered DIY hire since you'd be doing it all yourself. Essentially no packages just the hire of the venue. You bring in everything yourself.

    With our venue they provide 15 round tables and thats it. We had to choose caterers from their preferred list but They had 2 Caribbean caterers for us to chose from. and in fact we chose the venue partly because one of those caterers was one we already knew of.

    For us, because we are having quite a large wedding (150 day and up to 300 in total guests) dry hire is the cheaper option. Package deals for that many people dont work out too cheap haha.

    Fingers crossed you find what you are looking for :-)

    • Reply
  • C
    Beginner
    Cece100 ·
    • Report
    • Hide content
    View quoted message

    Leelee85, thanks for that, knowing the lingo is half the battle sometime so i know what to ask for.

    • Reply
  • E
    Beginner May 2017
    ExpensivePurpleHair530 ·
    • Report
    • Hide content

    Hey,

    Was just wondering if you found a venue to accommodate as I am looking for pretty much the same thing as you in the same area, & as you said finding it slightly frustrating. Some good ideas on here though

    • Reply
  • R
    Beginner July 2020
    RomanticOrangeDiamonds371 ·
    • Report
    • Hide content

    Hi, I know your post was ages ago now, but did you manage to find a venue you loved in the end? I’m currently looking for exactly the same thing too, but struggling! Thanks Smiley smile

    • Reply
  • H
    Expert September 2019
    Have_you_met_Mrs_Jones2019 ·
    • Report
    • Hide content
    View quoted message

    What area are you looking for? I know a couple around the Somerset area. Let me know if that would be of any use! X

    • Reply
  • R
    Beginner July 2022 Bristol
    RomanticYellowConfetti27974 ·
    • Report
    • Hide content

    Ooh I'd like to know!

    We are in Bristol and really struggling as we want to have cultural food too.

    How much did people pay for independent caterers? We are thinking of 150 guests.

    I wanted to have it at my workplace but they insist on using their catering team and it's ridiculously expensive/they can't offer the menu we want.

    • Reply
  • H
    Expert September 2019
    Have_you_met_Mrs_Jones2019 ·
    • Report
    • Hide content
    View quoted message

    Ahh, I'm a Bristol girl too!

    Our wedding is at Gants Mill in Bruton - Greg (owner) has caterers he has worked with so will recommend, but there is no obligation to use them, he doesn't charge corkage or commission, so you can go entirely your own way.

    We found a caterer based in Stanton Drew, who had the most exciting menu, and was actually the cheapest we found! We've had a tasting, and I'm so excited for our wedding breakfast. Check out 'The Full Spoon'.

    Our quote came in at approx. £2600 for approx. 100 guests. We are having a starter and main all on sharing platters. We're thinking of getting an ice cream van for dessert!

    Venue-wise, we also checked out Fernhill Farm (near Chew Magna) and Pennard Hill Farm (near Glastonbury). We liked both of these, but just fell in love with the gardens at Gants Mill, and the owner Greg, who just seems like he is going to make everything so easy!

    Hope this helps a bit! X

    • Reply
  • F
    Beginner October 2019
    Fey ·
    • Report
    • Hide content

    Could you please share the name of the Cambridgeshire venue?

    I'm looking for dry hire / venues that allow external caterers in Cambridge near the University please.

    • Reply
  • F
    Beginner October 2019
    Fey ·
    • Report
    • Hide content

    What venue in Cambridge was this please?

    • Reply

You voted for . Add a comment 👇

×

Related articles

General groups

Hitched article topics