byo Catering.... For 400 people (philadelphia)!

Maybe check parks with large pavilions?

I can’t search right now since I’m at work but I’ll see what I can find for you tonight. In the meantime most community centers will allow BYO and even have a kitchen. I’d normally recommend an inn but smaller inns can’t accommodate that guest list size.

I’m from South Jersey, and I would think that there’s enough historical places around here that you could find somewhere that was completely BYO. Maybe instead of looking at places in the city, look outside and down the shore. I know there’s a fair amount of barns and alternative venues in NJ that you could look at. Good luck!

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Thank you! I've expanded my search there

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Thank you! I would appreciate it. I'm ready to pull my hair out!

Have y’all checked with any churches that will allow you to rent the space, or parks, historic places??

Ok so I’ve been at it for about an hour and sadly didn’t find much. I found plenty of BYO venues but not for 400 seating capacity. The highest ones were 250. First off I found an old thread on WW of someone asking for a BYO venue in PA. Her seating is only 150 but it’s worth a look.

https://m.weddingwire.com/wedding-forums/byo-caterer-venues-in-philly/cb8a4d0ba532c6ba.html

Now I found a couple of “maybe” venues. One is BYOB at least and they don’t have an in house caterer, they just want a licensed one of your choice. You might be able to find a cheap caterer? BBQ or Italian is always cheap and wows a crowd. Most venues had an in house caterer, so it’s a start! It also looked significantly cheaper than the $4000+ venues I was seeing!
http://historicphiladelphia.org/2019%20Franklin%20Square%20Rental%20Information.pdf

https://abingtonartcenter.org/rentals/ I also found this. They give zero info on their site so I have no idea of cost or catering but it’s a community center large enough for your event and worth emailing them for more info

https://www.ustwprec.com/info/facilities/default.aspx This is a site with a list of community centers you can rent

https://www.phila.gov/services/culture-recreation/rent-a-parks-recreation-venue/ This is a site with a list of parks you can rent

https://www.phila.gov/services/permits-violations-licenses/apply-for-a-permit/get-a-permit-to-use-a-philadelphia-parks-recreation-space/get-a-permit-for-a-large-event-or-festival/ This is a site on how to get a permit to rent a park for a large event like yours(since it exceeds the normal 150 size)

https://philly.spacefinder.org/ And finally I found this cool little site that lets you search for buildings you can rent for your wedding, there isn’t a seating capacity search though.

Good luck hun! ❤️

Definitely parks like Diana said. Try fire halls. Usually they’ll have their own catering but some will let you byoc at a charge. Have you searched the venues listed here on WW? There’s contact numbers and you can send messages too.

Http://historicphiladelphia.org/franklin-square/parties-and-facility-rentals/ Oops in case 2nd link was busted

Your local VFW Or Fire Halls