Tips for Catering Your Kentucky Barn Wedding
Planning a wedding is like putting a puzzle together, with all the little pieces such as the venue, band, color scheme, and the wedding party’s attire connecting to create your perfect day. Catering is a big piece, too, and rustic wedding locations in Kentucky give you plenty of freedom to make the menu your own. Our three tips below help couples plan the food for a wedding in a barn, from choosing a caterer to making the most of a warming kitchen.
Tip 1: Know the Right Questions to Ask Your Barn Wedding Caterer
There’s no such thing as too many questions when planning your big day, which is why we list this as our first tip for catering a barn wedding. Before you book a caterer, make sure the company has experience catering weddings and is comfortable working at a venue where the kitchen setup may differ from that of a traditional banquet hall. The Barn at Belle Hills doesn’t require a specific caterer, so you can speak with several, and our recommended vendor list includes caterers.
A few specific questions you can ask include:
- Do you provide staff for setup, service, and cleanup?
- Can you accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies?
- Do you supply plates, silverware, glassware, and serving pieces?
Tip 2: Think Through Service Logistics for a Wedding in a Barn
It can be fun to get lost in wedding cake flavors and savory dishes. However, you also need to think logistically, not just with your taste buds. Plated dinners, buffets, food stations, and family-style meals can all work at a barn venue, but the right choice depends on your answers to the following:
- How long do you want dinner service to take?
- Will guests need to leave their tables to get food?
- How much staffing does your chosen service require?
Tip 3: Take Advantage of Warming Kitchens at Wedding Venues with a Barn
An on-site warming kitchen gives your caterer a dedicated space to organize food and keep it ready for service. Having that space can make outside catering easier and give you more flexibility with your menu. Our warming kitchen and bar area give your caterer room to hold food and drinks for your guests.
Keep an open line of communication with your venue and your caterer, and talk with your caterer about how they plan to use the space, including:
- The equipment they need to bring.
- The foods that arrive prepared and the foods that need finishing.
- The refrigerator or prep space they require.
Remember the small items too. Our venue doesn’t supply drinks, ice, cups, or napkins, so decide with your caterer who will bring them.
Choose Wedding Venues near Northern KY with Catering in Mind
If you’re comparing wedding venues near Northern KY, ask each one how it handles catering, because the answer will shape your menu and your timeline. Catering is one of many pieces to settle while you research wedding places in Kentucky, and at The Barn at Belle Hills, our friendly team wants your day to run smoothly. We can answer your questions about pricing and point you to caterers on our vendor list.
Still deciding if a barn wedding is right for you? See why barn venues win over traditional settings.
Contact us today to schedule a tour and see how our barn compares with other wedding venues with a barn in northern Kentucky. Our barn also hosts showers, birthday parties, and other private events. We are located in Crittenden, Kentucky, and welcome couples from the greater Crittenden area, including the city of Falmouth and Grant, Owen, Harrison, Gallatin, Pendleton, Boone, Kenton, Bracken, Campbell, and Scott Counties, Kentucky.
