Why Choosing a Wedding Venue with In-House Catering Will Make Your Big Day Stress-Free (and Wonderful)

Every couple dreams of a wedding that feels seamless, where every detail falls perfectly into place. But as anyone who has planned a wedding can tell you, the road to the perfect day can sometimes feel paved with stress. From coordinating vendors to ensuring that Uncle Joe’s meal is gluten-free, the logistics can quickly overshadow the romance.

Fortunately, there’s one simple decision that can eliminate a significant chunk of the overwhelm for brides, grooms, and planners alike: choosing a wedding venue with in-house catering.

If you’re deep into planning mode and wondering how to bring both ease and elegance to your celebration, keep reading. We’ll show you exactly why in-house catering is the golden ticket to a stress-free, unforgettable wedding.

luxury wedding reception table setting for wedding catering

Gorgeous moss tablescape for Wedding Reception Catering at Living Stone

The Advantages of Choosing a Wedding Venue with In-House Catering

When it comes to wedding planning, balancing logistics while maintaining your vision is no small feat. Opting for a venue with in-house catering simplifies the process while delivering exceptional benefits you (and your guests) will love.

Streamlined Coordination

Managing multiple vendors can be overwhelming. From aligning a caterer’s schedule with your wedding timeline to dealing with unforeseen hiccups, there’s less room for error when you work with one, in-house catering team. These professionals know the venue inside and out, meaning they can effortlessly coordinate food service with the flow of your event, ensuring your day runs like clockwork.

At Living Stone, for instance, the process of blending food service with the venue experience is seamless because our culinary team and event staff work together harmoniously. One team, one flawless experience.

Bride and Groom eating and drinking during Cocktail Hour on the stream at Living Stone at the Secret Bar

Couples at Living Stone get to enjoy a private moment of food and drink after the ceremony at the Secret Bar on the creek at Living Stone. (Photo: Turnquist Collective)

Custom Menus Crafted by Experts

With in-house catering, you’re not getting a cookie-cutter menu. Instead, you’ll often find crafted options customized to your taste and preferences. At Living Stone, our menu selections are carefully curated by experienced chefs who balance vibrant flavors, seasonal ingredients, and accommodating dietary inclusivity.

Yes, your vegetarian best friend and lactose-intolerant cousin are in great hands.

For example, our cocktail hour lets you choose from delicacies like shrimp cocktail, tomato-basil-mozzarella bites, and stuffed mushrooms, while dinner options range from succulent Chimichurri Shrimp Skewers to hearty Eggplant Rollatini or vegan delights like marinated portobello mushroom “steaks.”

Save Money on Rentals

When you think of catering, your mind likely jumps to the food itself. But have you considered the costs of dish-ware, silverware, and serving platters? Many off-site caterers require you to rent these items separately, which can add an unexpected expense to your budget.

With venues like Living Stone, you’ll have access to an in-house inventory of dish-ware, glassware, and silverware, as well as serving utensils and chafing dishes. That means fewer logistics for you to coordinate and more room in your budget for those lush floral centerpieces you’ve been dreaming about.

A jewel toned color palette makes for a moody and gorgeous tablescape for a September wedding

High-Quality Service from a Unified Team

There’s something truly special about a catering team that knows the venue as though it were their home. At Living Stone, our staff is more than just a team; they’re family, neighbors, and longtime friends. This familial bond translates to warm, attentive service that makes every couple feel like part of the Living Stone family.

From accommodating your last-minute requests to anticipating your guests’ needs, the service provided by an in-house team fosters a sense of care and connection that you can feel throughout your entire event.

kitchen staff at wedding reception catering at Living Stone in upstate New York in the Catskill Mountains

Friends and Family having fun working a wedding at Living Stone

On-Site Expertise You Can Count On

One of the best parts of in-house catering? Access to seasoned chefs who truly know their craft. At Living Stone, our culinary duo brings exceptional pedigree and unparalleled creativity to the table.

  • Chef Django Houston (Co-Owner), a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, combines technical mastery with an artful eye for presentation.

  • Chef Heather Williams (Co-Owner), the creative mind behind Pippy’s Food Truck, merges comfort and sophistication, perfect for creating unforgettable meals that leave your guests raving.

This expertise means every plate served is a masterpiece, perfectly tailored to the vision of your day. Django and Heather’s hands-on approach, attention to detail, and personal touch set Living Stone apart from other venues.

Living Stone's Unmatched Catering Experience

At Living Stone, we’ve built a reputation as more than a wedding venue—we’re a haven for love, celebration, and memorable meals. Nestled within the enchanting Catskill Mountains, our venue offers an immersive experience of natural beauty paired with exceptional culinary expertise.

Our in-house catering packages, starting at $115 per person, include everything you need for an effortless and elegant dining experience:

  • Artisan Grazing Tables and passed appetizers for a magical Cocktail Hour in the Forest

  • A carefully curated selection of three entrées and three sides for dinner

  • Cake cutting service, bartending, and mobile bar options with FULL LIQUOR LICENSE and Tiered Bar Packages to choose from

  • All serving essentials and tasteful table settings

From the first bite of a sriracha-topped tuna tartare to the warm finish of roasted salmon with maple mustard glaze, every detail is designed to make your wedding as wonderful as the love you are celebrating.

Celebrate Stress-Free with Living Stone

Choosing a wedding venue with in-house catering isn’t just a practical decision; it’s one that allows you to focus on what truly matters the most on your wedding day—celebrating your love with family and friends.

At Living Stone, we aim to make your planning process as smooth as possible while delivering the highest quality in every aspect of your day. From our stunning venue to our mouthwatering menus, we’re here to make your celebration truly unforgettable.

When you choose Living Stone, you’re not just choosing a place to host your wedding. You’re choosing peace of mind, warm hospitality, and memories you’ll treasure forever.

Contact us today to schedule a tour and learn more about our in-house catering packages. Your dream wedding begins here.

Waterfall at Living Stone an outdoor wedding venue in the forest of the Catskill Mountains

Private Waterfall at Living Stone

Did you know…when you choose a locally owned wedding venue you are helping to develop and improve the local economy? It’s true, your locally owned wedding venues are small business owners who not only create hundreds of jobs for the local wedding industry every year, we actively support our local economy. Please consider a locally owned venue, you can find locally owned wedding venues featured on this wedding venue map.

Mistletoe Bough Bed & Breakfast

SC Southern Charm Events

Somos Family Weddings & Events

Amelia Grove

Sage View Ranch

22 Acres Farm.com/weddings

Cold Spring Farm

Rough & Ready Vineyards

Estate at River Run

Irish Hills Wedding Barn

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