Bringing in own food?

Thanks ladies! I’ll have to just call and ask - I just wanted to get a general consensus on this so I didn’t offend any caterers or sound stupid!
thanks

If the catering you were looking at getting was something where you just pick up a tray of apps or they drop them off then I would think that you are fine to do what you want. If they are staying to pass the food around it may not be though. Best thing to do is to contact who you would want for catering and see what they have to say about it.

As Clarissa said it's usually not allowed! Mainly as if someone gets sick from your food the blame might be put on them? Doesnt hurt to ask the caterer you go with! They will likely have their own rules if all food has to be presented by them or if they would allow you to being in extras! Usually cakes and desserts are allowed but most venues I spoke with forbid bringing in our own outside food.

I would think most would not allow this except for something like the wedding cake (or what your planning to service in place of the cake. I would expect most caterers to be hesitant to something like this mainly due to few of safety and liability. But you never know so I’d advise calling around and asking. It never hurts to just ask.

Are your also having them clearing dishes and drinks, passing around the trays of food, washing up all the dishes, etc? Or just providing food and having the trays set out for guests to pick away at? If it’s the first one you could look at working with a hospitality program at a college or training centre where you will still get the professional service but the cost is a lot cheaper and they may be more flexible on something like this.