Offsite/restaurant catering vs venue in house

So when we got married, all of the venues we looked at were hotels and provided their own in house catering so we never had to decide between in house or outside catering. We live 4 hours from where we got married so it was easier for us because we didn't have to worry about finding a caterer or bakery (as they had a contract with a local bakery to provide our cake) for our wedding. As a guest, I don't really think it matters. I just like good food.

As a guest- I don’t care since I’m not paying for it, as long as it’s good!
As a bride- I’m going for good food & convenience. We’re 2.5 hrs away from our venue & they have an all inclusive package that we signed up for. We’ve done our tastings with the caterer & it was delicious!

I agree! As long as it’s good (and temperature controlled—cold food is yucky).


We chose our destination venue because it was a 5-star resort and very well rated for its food.

I would say that you’d have less to worry about with the venue catering the food as it won’t arrive late, won’t have to pay a separate fee etc.

I'd prefer getting to decide on catering services for my wedding then to be stuck with having to choose between a beautiful venue, great food, or price. Food is most important to me. I always said if the venue does not allow me to pick a separate catering company for my wedding than the venue isn't the one I want. I've always found as a guest that venue's that have their own food is just blah. I have never attended an event at a venue and was like omg this food is amazing, it's always just edible nothing special. That's why as a bride it was a must that I was able to get to pick my own catering company.

Venue in house, if I have to pay for the venue plus catering that is a no for me. Most venues have very good food and more variety for guests. If you pick a caterer a lot of times it is a specific type of food and less options for guests. As a guest, I wouldnt really care either way. But I have been to weddings where they served something uncommon that a lot of people didnt like so the more variety the better

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This has my experience as well.

We purposefully got married at a hotel that caters to business travelers and conventions because in our experience they rely on repeat business and therefore deliver higher quality than one-and-done caterers or in-house wedding venue catering teams.

I decided to go with a venue that offered in house catering. I thought about venues that allowed outside catering to cut down on some cost, but then you have more vendors to deal with. Also need to figure out who is responsible for dishware, serving, clean up? If it's the caterer, those are additional cost on top of the food as well and they ended up around the same price anyways.

In-house is much more common where I am, and I found, when planning, that was also cheaper. Also, fresher food is always better.

But it really depends on the quality of food.

Whichever will allow a limited menu, not 2 or 3 choices, for food. There is no need for the greatly increased cost of 3 choices, or 4 , and I hate places or independent caterers that try to limit you to 2. Most often, restaurants or Inns that operate their own restaurants at least part time ( dinners) Are willing to give up to a 10 choice limited menu on a plated meal. That is my first thing. And second, that they allow you to bring in the liquor.