All Reception Sites Require On-site Catering!

Check with your preferred caterer and ask what venues they’ve worked with.

We're using in house. We were able to find an affordable venue, but it took some digging. I recommend looking for places like barns, parks, etc.

We used an inclusive venue that required we use their bar/food service. That was what we wanted though so we didn’t tour venues that didn’t offer this. In my area, there are tons of venues that don’t require this or offer in house catering. I believe you can see these options on WW when searching for venues.

My reception site didnt require it, so I'm bringing in a caterer of my choosing. Most places I looked at required me to use in house, but after my FSIL wedding, I wasnt happy with that. Luckily, I found our venue and it's beautiful and I get what I want.

Try some non-traditional venues. Public parks, beaches, community centers, VFW halls, Elk's Lodge, aquariums, museums, old theaters, etc.

For public parks and beaches, you often just need a permit to "rent" the space, pay a fee. But you will have to rent everything you need for your reception (tent, tables, chairs, dishes, flatware, glasses, linens, etc.). So, a lot of times it comes down to a cost-benefit analysis.

But I've also seen weddings in community halls, etc., that have all the tables/chairs/dishes/linens, and then all you need is the catering and beverage, plus any decor. There are options out there. You just have to spend the time doing the research, and also think outside the box.

Most common venues (hotels and such) tend to want to use their restaurants. I would look into less common venues, barns, halls, parks and such. My venue has a list of recommended vendors but I can use whoeevr I want. I ended up finding the list very helpful and I used vendors from it but it was nice having a choice. We saved a lot of money by being able to use our own vendors. we are getting married at a barn in TN.

I am wondering what in particular concerns you about in-house catering. Is it that it doesn't come well-recommended? Is it that the pricing is high? That you might not have options that you want? I initially did not want in-house catering, but our venue catering came well recommended by my planner who is a lot more discerning than I am, the price for a buffet lunch including all flatware, glassware, and silverware with a fish dish including dessert is $30/person, and they are open to any food ideas I have.

There are plenty that allow it. For example: Foltz Community Center, The Civic Center are here in Canton Ohio