Grand Junction Wedding Venues that Allows Outside Catering
- Linda Prock
- Mar 10
- 7 min read
Updated: May 12
The Ultimate Guide When Choosing a Grand Junction Wedding Venue That Allows Outside Catering.
In this blog, we will share our knowledge and expertise on a wedding venue on the Western Slope that allows outside catering. This blog will also explore the numerous benefits of selecting wedding venues that permit outside catering, emphasizing how it offers couples flexibility, cost savings, unique culinary experiences, supports local businesses, and much more.
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Antler Ridge is a barn wedding venue located on a ranch near Grand Junction Colorado and allows outside catering for many reasons.
It is true, as stated by a fellow wedding venue owner in Indianapolis, that every bride's first question when touring a wedding venue is, "Do you allow outside catering?"
The Ultimate Guide When Choosing a Venue that Allows Outside Catering
Of course, choosing the correct wedding venue that fits your personality will affect the success of your wedding. One option that often gets overlooked is choosing a wedding venue that allows outside catering. This choice can lead to significant advantages that enhance the overall experience for both the wedding couple and the wedding guests.
Enhanced Flexibility in Menu Selection
Choosing a wedding venue that allows outside catering offers an unmatched level of flexibility in menu selection.
Couples can customize their Grand Junction wedding menu to reflect their individual tastes and cultural backgrounds. For instance, if a couple has a cherished family recipe, outside wedding caterers can easily include it in their menu. Traditional wedding venues that require in-house catering often have limited set menus, but couples can embrace creativity by working with diverse caterers. Whether it’s Italian, Thai, or BBQ, the selections are endless. When planning your wedding on the Western Slope, you will be able to embrace your creativity and show off your personality without stressing. The local wedding vendors on the western slope offer just that, and the professionalism is amazing.
By allowing outside catering, engaged couples can select caterers who specialize in farm-to-table dining, providing seasonal ingredients that create fresh and vibrant dishes, enhancing the overall wedding guest dining experience.
Fact:
The Western Slope is known for its farm-to-table dining. The Western slope incompases surrounding towns such as Grand Junction, Delta, Ridgeway, Montrose, Ouray and Gunnison Colorado . Expression Magazine says, "Agribusiness is a key industry on the Western Slope of Colorado and has a rich heritage in farming and ranching." So if you are wanting a farm-to-table dining experience, or an al fresco dining experience, look for a Montrose wedding venue like Antler Ridge Weddings that allows outside catering.
Using Outside Caterers Saves Money and Offers Unique Culinary Experiences
Did you know you can save up to 20-30% when choosing your own caterer?
Choosing a Grand Junction wedding venue with outside catering can be cost-effective and affordable.
Many wedding venues that offer in-house catering charge premium prices due to their brand status. On the other hand, by allowing couples to hire their own caterers, brides and grooms can shop around and compare quotes to find options that fit their budget. In fact, couples can save anywhere from 20% to 30% on catering costs compared to in-house options.
Wedding couples can also consider alternatives like food trucks, buffets, or family-style meals, which tend to be less expensive and often bring a fun and casual atmosphere to the wedding event.
That is exactly why Antler Ridge does not have in-house catering. At Antler Ridge, we love for our brides to choose caterers that fit their individual budgets and style. In our experience, over the last 10 years, we have noticed that brides are happier when they are able to choose the vendors of their choice. At Antler Ridge, our brides have had the opportunity to create their dining experience, and we have seen everything from prime rib, pig roasts, potluck, pasta bars, to al fresco dining, and that's what makes Antler Ridge unique. The premier Colorado barn/ranch wedding venue can be both elegant or very simple. It's your wedding, your choice!
Unique Culinary Experiences
Couples want their wedding to be memorable, and outside catering provides the chance to offer unique culinary experiences.
For example, a couple might hire a local chef known for their creative sushi rolls or a taco truck for a festive vibe. These memorable dining experiences will stick with your guests long after the wedding day. According to a wedding survey, couples reported that guests raved about the food, showing its importance in wedding planning.
Interactive food stations—like build-your-own pasta or a candy buffet—can also enhance guest engagement and enjoyment, elevating the entire celebration. Last year, one of our creative brides had a mashed potato bar with all the condiments. The unique appetizer was served during cocktail hour in martini glasses in Antler Ridge's outdoor log gazebo!
Choosing Your Own Caterer..... Supports Local Businesses
Choosing a wedding venue that allows outside catering presents an excellent opportunity to support local farmers and small business owners. At Antler Ridge, we love supporting our local vendors. We have a preferred vendors list that includes all the local vendors who have been to the ranch more than once and have shown professionalism. We are happy to recommend them.
When couples hire local caterers, they contribute to the community's economy, fostering relationships with vendors who are dedicated to making their events unforgettable. Local caterers often prioritize fresh, quality ingredients, promoting farm-fresh menus. By working closely with these caterers, couples can often receive better service and delicious meals made with locally grown foods.
Better Control Over Alcohol Selection
Did you know you could save up to 30% on your bar service?
Another advantage of outside catering is the ability to choose a broader range of alcoholic beverages. At Antler Ridge, you not only can pick your own local caterer, but you can also bring in your own liquor. Bringing in your own liquor is a huge saving, making Antler Ridge Weddings even more affordable. For more information about wedding packages, wedding prices, affordable wedding packages, or affordable wedding prices, contact us and ask us to send you the wedding packages and pricing.
Venues with exclusive bar services often impose restrictions and limited options on drink selections. However, when couples opt for external catering, they can handpick their beverages, whether it’s a selection of local craft beers, a signature cocktail, or a thoughtfully chosen wine list. This freedom can also lead to considerable savings—often as much as 30%—when compared to standard wedding venue bar packages.
Choosing Your Own Caterer for Your Wedding Reduces Stress and Makes the Wedding Planning Go Smoothly
Couples working with dedicated outside caterers typically receive more personalized support during the wedding planning process. Wedding caterers often offer flexibility and are usually more accommodating of last-minute changes or special requests. This support allows couples to focus on other elements of their wedding, resulting in a smoother planning process.
When opting for outside catering services, couples can choose vendors they truly trust and love.
The Benefits of Outside Catering
Choosing your outside caterer gives wedding couples a variety of options and advantages that contribute to a personalized and memorable wedding experience.
From the creative freedom that comes with menu selection to the benefits of supporting local businesses, couples can showcase their unique style. With the added benefits of cost savings, better drink selections, customizable options, and reduced stress, couples have every reason to consider venues that permit outside catering.
As you begin your wedding planning, don't forget the exciting possibilities offered by outside catering. If creating a truly unforgettable celebration and one that will leave a lasting impression on your guests is important to you, then Antler Ridge Weddings highly recommends considering a wedding venue on the Western Slope that allows outside catering.
Bridal Suit at Antler Ridge Weddings near Grand Junction Colorado on the western slope.
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Did you know that Antler Ridge Weddings is known for its central location on the Western Slope? The premier ranch wedding venue is only 60 minutes from Grand Junction and 60 minutes from Gunnison. Antler Ridge is located closer to the San Juan Mountains and has the best mountain views on the Western Slope. And that is a true fact! Montrose has some of the best local vendors in the area and has the second largest airport in Colorado. Your wedding guests will absolutely fall in love with Antler Ridge whether they are local wedding guests or guests coming for your Western Slope destination wedding. Your wedding guests will also love hiking, river rafting, visiting the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, or going to Ouray to shop or soak in the natural hot springs. If you are looking for a wedding venue with mountain views, three outdoor ceremony sites, a barn built just for weddings, a bridal suite, honeymoon suite, a weekend wedding package, or an affordable Sunday through wedding package, contact us today! We would love to meet you.
We want to use our blog to increase awareness and support for locally owned wedding venues. Locally owned wedding venues tend to provide a higher level of expertise, service, and dedication. They also have far less turnover than corporate-owned or investor-owned venues. As you plan your wedding, we hope you will consider a locally owned wedding venue like ours. You can find locally owned wedding venues on this wedding venue map. Below is a shout-out to fellow locally owned wedding venues around the country! This blog was inspired by the Harris Glen Event Venue in Morgan County, Indiana.
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