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Weddings

About

At the BBQ Exchange, we aren’t just a bbq joint that does some catering on the side. We are committed to providing a whole-package service for your special day, from helping you pick the linens to coordinating the reception. We don’t just serve food, we create an experience.
Let our experienced staff take care of the details, so you can enjoy your wedding weekend. Details are our passion!
We work with the best vendors in the Piedmont and Shenandoah Valley to craft a reception full of great memories.

Chef Craig Hartman has a culinary background that draws on his experiences in the Outer Banks, the rarefied air of Colorado’s esteemed Cliff House, and Charlottesville’s own Keswick Hall and Clifton Inn. He’s settled down now and enjoys running his barbeque joint in Gordonsville, watching the sun rise through the smoke and enjoying the outside kitchen, a dramatic departure from toiling in the bowels of some of the finest hotels on the east coast for over 30 years. He imbues the food with hickory smoke and a passion for good food, and brings these unique fine dining skills to bear on the tastiest pork, brisket, chicken and of course, bacon. He’s been experimenting with bacon, sausage and even that esteemed Virginia product, Virginia cured ham. When he’s not playing with bacon, he’s home gardening or hanging with his grandkids and family. Come by the restaurant to see the value of having over three decades of fine dining experience contributing to your wedding or special event.

Jaclyn has worked her way into the wedding business from nearly every restaurant angle. Relocating to central Virginia from a position in New York running the cafe and events for the Roosevelt Estate, she moved into catering and events for Red Light Management. After cooking for a few musicians, she settled into a kitchen position at Barboursville Vineyards. Three years later she was back out of the kitchen and in charge of weddings and winery events. When the opportunity to help build a new business in Gordonsville arose, she leapt at the opportunity. Catering only 2-3 weddings per month, she is able to devote a high level of attention to each bride, ensuring a satisfactory experience. You’ll work with her to craft your menus, design reception layouts and coordinate rentals and vendors to bring together your vision for your wedding day. She’ll be onsite from beginning to end, to organize and set up the entire event, as well as breaking down and cleaning up so you can enjoy the entire event happy in the knowledge that everything is being done to your expectations! When not at the restaurant or playing wedding planner, she can be found at home, in her extensive gardens, or out on the motorcycle, enjoying the splendor of the Blue Ridge Mountains!

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Frequently asked questions

What is the average catering price per person for plated service?

$110

What is the average catering price per person for buffet service?

$85

What is the average catering price per person for stations?

$85

What is the average catering price per person for hors d'oeuvres?

$24

Which of the following are included in the cost of your full service wedding catering?

Set Up
Clean Up
Cake Cutting
Cocktail Reception
Server(s)

What is the starting price per person for bar service?

$24

Which of the following are included in the starting price for bar service?

Bartender(s)

What event services do you provide?

Delivery
Set Up
Clean Up

What catering services do you provide?

Buffet
Cake Cutting
Cocktail Reception
Custom Menu
Hors d'oeuvres
Plated
Server(s)
Stations
Tastings

What types of cuisine do you cater?

American
Asian
BBQ
French
Italian
Local
Mediterranean
Mexican
Southern
Spanish

What dietary needs can you accommodate?

Gluten Free
Lactose Free
Nut Free
Organic
Vegan
Vegetarian

What bar services do you provide?

Bartender(s)
Open Bar
Champagne Toast
Signature Drink

Which of the following items can you provide?

Chairs
Tables

Which of the following items can you provide?

Barware
China
Flatware
Glassware
Linens
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Reviews of Exchange Events & Catering

5.0 out of 5 rating
5.0 out of 5 rating
115 Reviews
100% recommend it
  • Quality of service
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Average response time
    4.9 out of 5 rating
  • Professionalism
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Value
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Flexibility
    5 out of 5 rating
This AI-generated summary gives you a snapshot of the overall ratings and feedback from the reviews this vendor has received.

Review summary

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Exchange Events & Catering is a highly recommended wedding catering and event planning service. Multiple reviewers praised the delicious and beautifully presented food, with options like BBQ and pulled pork being a hit. The staff, including wedding planners like Jaclyn, Hannah, and Carol Anne, were described as professional, organized, and attentive. Reviewers appreciated the excellent communication and helpfulness throughout the planning process. Guests were extremely satisfied with their experience, and the service received high praise.

Review summary

Powered by AI
This AI-generated summary gives you a snapshot of the overall ratings and feedback from the reviews this vendor has received.

Exchange Events & Catering is a highly recommended wedding catering and event planning service. Multiple reviewers praised the delicious and beautifully presented food, with options like BBQ and pulled pork being a hit. The staff, including wedding planners like Jaclyn, Hannah, and Carol Anne, were described as professional, organized, and attentive. Reviewers appreciated the excellent communication and helpfulness throughout the planning process. Guests were extremely satisfied with their experience, and the service received high praise.

E
Elizabeth E. Sent on 04/04/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Highly recommend!

HIGHLY RECOMMEND! Exchange Events catered our wedding last week, and it was perfect! We got rave reviews about the food, the service, and the timeliness. There are so many food options with Exchange, and they're also willing to help build whatever menu you can envision! Possibly the best part of working with Exchange is that we hired Jaclyn as our planner, which was also possibly the best decision of the whole wedding planning process! She was fantastic to work with from the very first phone call. We don't live in Charlottesville, so her help in planning a Charlottesville wedding was invaluable. She gave us great ideas and connected us with great vendors. She was able to manage some complicated family relationships. And our wedding day was FLAWLESS. Everything was just...handled. By Jaclyn. Even our guests were raving about her! Do yourself a favor and book Jaclyn and the Exchange Events team! (Pictured: my husband exiting our wedding with the leftovers Jaclyn packed up for us lol!)
Madelaine
Madelaine S. Sent on 01/04/2024
5 out of 5 rating

The best experience with Exchange Events & Catering!

10/10 would recommend. Jaclyn and her team at Exchange Events served our wedding of 230+ people with DELICIOUS food and drinks! Our experience with the Exchange team started off on a great note with an incredible tasting about 11 months before the wedding. We were treated to a wonderful meal with plenty of opportunities to taste different dishes and had trouble narrowing down the menu - everything was delicious. The catering experience on the day of was perfect - the professionalism of the staff was exceptional, and all of the food was outstanding. The corn hush puppies, the tuna skewers, the fall panzanella salad, the salmon - everything was a hit! The whole experience was lovely from start to finish. Don't waste time trying to find a caterer - Exchange Events & Catering is the best choice. And I can't end this review without absolutely raving about Jaclyn who is hands-down the best planner around. She's the type of person you want on your team - she's calm and collected in every situation, she's absurdly organized and always five steps ahead, and she's a pleasure to work with. I cannot recommend her more highly. Hiring Jaclyn as our planner was by far the best decision we made when choosing our vendors.
A
Aidan M. Sent on 11/05/2023
5 out of 5 rating

The food was so amazing!


We chose Exchange Events Catering for our October wedding and could not have been happier. They brought my husband's dream taco bar to life and were still able to put together a pulled pork bbq station with mac & cheese for me. The food was a hit! We received rave reviews from our families, and multiple people even told us it was the best food they've ever had at a wedding! They managed to make delicious comfort food with an elegant, sophisticated presentation.

Furthermore, Jaclyn and her team were extremely reliable and communicative and they knew exactly how to work with our venue and other vendors. All of the staff, from the servers to cooks to bartenders were so professional. Do not hesitate to book Exchange Events, you will not be disappointed!
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Awards

115
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2023 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2022 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2021 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2020 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2018 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2016 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2015 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2014 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2013 Winner

Pricing

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Team

Hannah Dubit
Hannah Dubit
Catering Sales Manager

Hannah got her start in weddings catering through college. She moved to Charlottesville in 2011 to pursue a career in hospitality and soon after started working in wedding sales at Pippin Hill Farm and Vineyards.

Hannah joined the Exchange Events team in 2017. She loves working with clients to bring their vision to life. Event design is one of Hannah's passions and she can never be found far from her box of ribbons. Wedding day is one of her favorite days from checking in vendors and setting tables to father of the bride toasts and creative exits!

Hannah loves everything to do with food, wine, and weddings and on her days off can be found exploring local restaurants and wineries and soaking up as much sunshine as possible.

Jaclyn  Grieger
Jaclyn Grieger
Director of Catering and Events

Jaclyn started her restaurant career working on a farm, learning how to can and preserve, as well as appreciate the hard work that goes into raising vegetables and chickens, sheep, cows and more. Once she was old enough to work in a kitchen, she started working for a catering company in southern Maine, cooking for beautiful seaside weddings up and down the coast. After culinary school in New York, she relocated to central Virginia. When the opportunity to help build a new business in Gordonsville arose, she leapt at the opportunity.

You’ll work with her to craft your menus, design reception layouts and coordinate rentals and vendors to bring together your vision for your wedding day. She’ll be on site from beginning to end, to organize and set up the entire event, as well as breaking down and cleaning up so you can enjoy the entire event happy in the knowledge that everything is being done to your expectations!

When not at work, she can be found at home, in the garden, or out on the motorcycle, enjoying the splendor of the Blue Ridge Mountains!

Professional Network & Endorsements

6 Endorsements
MS Events MS Events Wedding Rentals

Great food, great service, and a great team! We love working with BBQ Exchange!

Eve Watters Eve Watters Wedding Musicians

Fabulous food, from top professionals, who just happen to be about the best folks on earth! I've worked with them over 20 years, and never known them to lose sight of what really counts--treating each person with love, care and respect- and a great sense of humor.

DJ Derek Tobler DJ Derek Tobler Wedding DJs

mmmmmmm... delicious BBQ perfectly prepared and served with a smile. Love their food and service. Great company to work with!

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