Introduction: The Great Catering Decision for Charleston Events
When planning an event or wedding in Charleston, picking a venue is one of the biggest decisions you need to make. Most venues will let you hire any catering or bartending service you’d like, as long as they carry the right insurance. Some Charleston venues have an in-house catering or bartending service that is exclusive to the venue, meaning if you want that venue for your event, you have to use their catering or bartending service. Venue packages may seem like the easier option, but you may end up spending more or compromising on customization.
What You Get with Venue Packages
Venue catering packages offer a streamlined wedding and event planning process. By choosing a venue with an in-house catering package, you are able to check off a lot of boxes on your event planning to-do list all at once. You’ll be able to pick from a few pre-built menus or bar packages and china plates, silverware, and glassware are usually included. While this is a very simplified way to take care of your event catering, you’re limited by their menus, tableware, and lay out. In some cases, it may end up being more expensive than choosing an outside caterer or a venue without an exclusive catering package.
Why Couples and Planners Consider Independent Caterers
Charleston has many beautiful venues available for weddings and other events, but most venues don’t have in-house catering services. This is why many couples hire independent catering and bar services for their events. An independent catering company can give you several menu options or even let you build your own custom menu from their offerings. This will allow you to choose the caterer or bar service that best suits your event and budget.
Venue Catering Packages: The Pros and Cons
There are a couple of advantages and disadvantages of choosing a venue with an in-house catering package. Venue catering packages can offer you convenience and save you time in the wedding planning process. They may even have in-house wedding packages with streamlined planning and set up options for you to use.
However, a venue catering package will limit your menu and set up options, resulting in a less personalized wedding or event. Due to the rigidity of some in-house catering packages, it could even end up being more expensive than going with an independent catering service.
The Custom Catering Advantage
There are many advantages to hiring an independent catering service for your Charleston event. An independent company will have more menu and catering style options and may be more budget-friendly.
Tailored Menus to Fit Your Vision
At Crazy Dutchman Catering, we have several popular pre-built menus that you can customize to your taste or you can build your own menu from our many options. For the bar, you can custom tailor your bar selection and add on signature cocktails, local beers, or mocktails that fit your budget and vision.
Ability to Incorporate Local Favorites
When you hire an independent Charleston catering service, you’re more likely to get a true taste of Charleston. At Crazy Dutchman Catering, we specialize in Southern food – like Lowcountry Boil, shrimp and grits, BBQ, or our famous pimento macaroni and cheese. When they’re in season, we also offer locally harvested oysters! Locally-inspired menus are ideal for destination weddings as it gives guests the opportunity to try new dishes and experience the many flavors of Charleston.
Freedom to Choose the Right Service Style
Depending on the caterer, you can also choose from several different service styles like buffet, stations, family style, or plated. At Crazy Dutchman Catering, we only offer buffet and stations style service options.
You want to choose a service style that fits the feel of your event. Learn more about the difference between Buffet and Stations here.
You can also choose from several different beverage packages to suit your event.
Questions to Ask Before Deciding
Choosing your venue and caterer are two of the most important decisions you need to make when planning your event. Before you decide, there are a few things to consider and to ask the venue or your caterer that can help you choose.
Does the venue allow outside catering?
Most venues in Charleston will allow outside catering, however they have to meet certain insurance requirements. Check with your venue and vendors to determine if they carry the correct insurance before booking with them. Some venues charge fees for outside caterers or bartending services. Sometimes the fee’s rate depends on the caterer’s relationship with the venue. Ask if they have a list of preferred caterers or vendors.
If a venue has an in-house catering company, they will sometimes have the option to “buy out” their in-house package in order to bring in an outside caterer. Ask if that’s an option and what the cost would be to bring in an independent catering company.
How important is menu customization to your event?
While venue packages may have a couple of different menus to choose from, an independent caterer will be able to build a menu entirely based on your tastes and preferences. Independent bar services will also allow you to custom tailor your bar selection to suit your taste and budget.
Why You Should Choose Crazy Dutchman Catering for Your Charleston Event
With over 40 years of event catering experience in Charleston, we’re familiar with most wedding venues in the area.
Locally Inspired Menus and Flexible Offerings
We have several different menu options to choose from that will give your guests a taste of the Lowcountry. We offer buffet-style and stations-style catering with several add-ons you can choose from to custom-tailor your catering experience.
Professional Coordination with Any Venue
We are on the preferred catering list of several venues in the Charleston area. We are happy to give you planning tips based on our experience with any venue we have worked at. We are also happy to help you with your layout or answer any other questions you may have!
Conclusion: Make the Choice That Serves Your Event Best
When it comes to planning a wedding in Charleston, choosing a venue is one of the most important decisions you need to make. Some Charleston venues have exclusive in-house catering or bartending packages that seem like an easier option, but may end up costing you more in the long run or you may have to compromise on décor or table settings. Most venues will let you hire any catering or bartending service you’d like, as long as they carry the right insurance. Independent caterers are able to cater at most venues in Charleston, and can offer you more flexible catering options or fit better with your budget and vision.
