Inexpensive venue BYO catering?

Your wedding caterer should have a list of venues, where they're on the preferred list of vendors, or where they've worked before.

Dreamer - I forgot to mention that my caterer is located an hour south of my ceremony venue so they primarily cater out of the range that I'm looking for!

I would look for halls that have a list of preferred caterers and then ask them what their policy is and if they allow you to go off list.

Some places charge a fee if you don't work off their catering list.

Also make sure you have a full contract and that your caterer will be able to provide the necessary liability insurance

Most of our halls will have a list of preferred caterers (for many very good reasons) and it's not easy to go off list. Just a heads up; I used to to that, in NJ, and it's gotten more and more insular. Your caterer will need to show proof of workmans comp, health certs and get a COI. Liquor is remarkably easy though you will probably want one day liability even if they don't require it.

You may find that it really isn't possible to use an off list caterer and it may be less expensive/less aggravating to use a listed one. If your caterer is an established pro, they should be able to network with other pros to find a venue for you; other caterers, DJ's, photographers that they know.

All of these are near WO.

Try; The Glen Ridge Women's Club

The Maplewood Women's Club

Upper Montclair Women's Club

Montclair Women's Club

Museum of Montclair (they may not let outside caterers off the list)

Try calling my friend and colleage Jim Robbins at The Garden Vista Ballroom in Passaic. It's a beautiful landmark building. I know he usually uses one caterer, but he might be flexible about letting someone reputable work there.

Kristen - my personal contact is definitely close enough to be at the wedding but he will not be the one executing the food or on duty. He's close enough that I'm not worried about a contract though

Do NOT do anything without a contract. This forum is littered with the carcasses of people who went into major parts of their wedding planning without a contract. Don't put yourself in that position.

You need to have expectations outlines, timelines delineated, money spelled out; both amounts and due dates.

Celia, thank you so much for the info! My catering company is one of the 2 that caters at Laurita so they do a lot of weddings/large events and should have all the proper paperwork. I've definitely found that blank slate venues tend to be more expensive so I am still open to other venues. I'm just trying to limit options since I'm so far! Caterer will be working with their contacts to help me find a venue but I'm antsy and am enjoying doing research from here! I'll look into your recommendations!

I mean, if he gets hit by a bus two weeks before your wedding you would be out all your money and no contract to prove anything. PLEASE get a contract.

One of my friends is a HMUA, there will be a contract, if i use her (she's adamant about doing it). An acquaintance's boyfriend is a wedding DJ, if I hire him, a contract will be signed.

I refuse to get myself into a situation and am screwed because there's no contract. It's also one HUGE reason I am so hesitant to use my acquaintance's boyfriend. To me, it's kind of a friendor, which worries me, even though he's a professional.

If something goes wrong with your caterer, are you ok with suing them?

You really need a contract. My cousin is a professional MUA and we are very close. We still have a contract. Business is business. No matter what, get a contract.

Everyone - thank you so much for the concern and I completely agree that a friendor is generally not the way to go. I'm not worried about the catering company they are 4.9 on wedding wire with over 100 reviews. My contact is my dad! So please let's not talk about him dying before my wedding day . I will have the contracts through the company I was just saying I'm not concerned about that right now. I can promise daddy's not gonna screw me over. And he's been doing this all my life. Just need venue help!

Soooo why does this catering company not have venues they can recommend?

it's concerning to me that they are so highly rated (In your opinion) and can't make recommendations.

MoRocko, as I said, they are providing recommendations this Monday but I'm antsy and enjoying the process and want to do some research myself. They are located more south so they primarily work in south jersey. They also have their own banquet location it's just out of my area range.

Aren't most of your guests flying- how is that outside your range?

As a side note, I know and have worked with both of the possible caterers at Laurita (and at other venues as well); she's in good shape with either, but you do need a contract. It's really like an additional checklist.

Oh, I LOVE Laurita! It's so pretty, (and always delicious) and we've been there dozens of times too. I don't think you need to worry about their paperwork, but your own peace of mind, you want to get a contract, and they probably will too.

Good luck!

Jorocko, my ceremony is in west orange at the church my parents got married at so I don't want people to have to drive an hour to the reception?

Kristen, my dad is the director of operations at a wedding venue more south in new jersey. Their work is primarily on premise banquets and the catering at laurita winery which are both out of my distance range. They will provide recommendations. He is not a chef.

Jo, I don't understand this line of questioning. I literally want venue recommendations. You clearly don't have any so I'm not sure why you're being unnecessarily impolite? And no i haven't booked my ceremony but being on the west coast and working full time I'll be limited on where I can see so I needed to provide myself with limitations.

What I'm telling you is that it's really difficult to ask a catering company to host a venue all the way up on the other side of the state. I don't know what their time restrictions are- or if you are expecting them to cook on site? But in NJ a 20 mile drive can take you 2 hrs.

It doesn't make sense to pick a venue so far away from your catering people.

Pick one- and go from there- that's my recommendation- you want a place down in south jersey because your stuck on that catering- great- do that.

If you absolutely want the West Orange venue for your ceremony- find a catering company closer to your ceremony.