Hampshire · England
Wedding paella catering in Charlwood, Hampshire
Paella catering for weddings, from canapés to the wedding breakfast and evening food in Charlwood: paella made from scratch in big, shallow pans, in full view of your guests.
- Informal wedding breakfasts
- Barn and farm weddings
- Receptions after an intimate ceremony
Wedding paella catering for Charlwood events
How our wedding paella catering works in Charlwood
Your wedding menu is planned with you, course by course, to suit your guests, venue and budget. We are frequently asked to cater blessings and vow renewals and destination-style celebrations at home, serving table tapas, canapé tapas and a paella wedding breakfast.
Rural weddings around Charlwood have a magic of their own, and paella cooking in the open air adds to it. Plan for access and a wet-weather cover. Every pan is cooked in front of your guests, so the food is hot, fresh and part of the occasion.
Charlwood weddings: local tips
Charlwood is about 6 miles south-west of Alton, in Hampshire. Whether your wedding is in the middle of Charlwood or on the outskirts, wedding paella catering works the same way: paella cooked live, every diet catered for and a clear quote. We cook in 683 places across Hampshire, from the larger towns to small villages. We cook right across the region, from Charlwood to Southampton (19 miles away).
For outdoor photos, Red Hill is close by. If you’re marrying at a church near Charlwood, such as Monkwood Mission Church, a reception in a garden, marquee or hired venue nearby keeps the day flowing: the paella can be cooking while you have photos taken, so it’s ready as guests arrive. The South Downs National Park is within about 7 miles of Charlwood, with plenty of rural wedding settings. Check vehicle access and cooking rules with the venue.
We cater weddings across the SO24 postcode area. Other places close to Charlwood for wedding paella catering include Monkwood (1 mile south-west), Kitwood (1 mile north-west), Gilbert Street (1 mile north-west), Ropley (2 miles west) and West Tisted (2 miles south-west). Within a short drive, we also cover Basingstoke (13 miles north), Winchester (12 miles west), Havant (15 miles south), Eastleigh (15 miles south-west), Horndean (12 miles south) and Alton (6 miles north-east).
Other landmarks nearby include Alton Community Hospital (4.7 miles north-east). Not far away are Red Hill and Shutts Copse.
Where we can cook in Charlwood
Every venue is different, so we will ask about yours before we confirm. Generally, we look for:
- Agreement from the venue or landowner to cook on site
- Good ventilation: outdoors, or an open-sided cover
- A level, firm spot for the burners and pans
If you are unsure, send a picture of the space and we’ll say what we think.
On the menu in Charlwood
- Sangria & bar staff
- Evening paella
- Table tapas
- Canapé tapas
- Dessert
- Paella wedding breakfast
What affects the price in Charlwood
The same guest numbers can mean different prices, depending on:
- Distance and access to the venue
- How many courses
- How many staff you need
- How long we are needed on site
Larger events generally cost less per head, since the set-up is much the same either way. Give us your numbers and we will quote.
What to tell us
We can quote more accurately with a few details. Here’s what’s useful:
- Whether you want canapés, tapas or desserts
- Your date and when you want to eat
- A photo of the space, if you can
- Diets and allergies you know about
A detailed enquiry gets a more accurate quote: the venue, the timings, the courses you’d like and any extras. To send your details, send us your details through our quote form.
Planners, venues and businesses
For repeat events, such as annual staff parties or seasonal fairs, let us know your dates early, so we can hold the date.
Throwing a party at home? Send a photo of the space and tell us about parking, and we’ll let you know if live paella is a good fit.
Towns and villages near Charlwood
More for events in Charlwood
Is live paella right for your wedding?
Buffets can mean food sitting for a while. Paella goes straight from pan to plate. Cost depends on guest numbers, the menu and the courses, along with staff, extras and travel. Every event gets its own quote.
Why us?
- Served hot, straight from the pan
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
- Tapas, canapés and desserts if you want them
Read Our pricing Or What paella catering costs.
Events we cater in Charlwood
Mixed diets are easy, which matters at weddings with lots of guests.
Here are some of the events we cook for around Charlwood:
- Garden and marquee weddings
- Weddings with a Spanish theme
- Receptions after an intimate ceremony
- Sharing-style wedding meals
Nearby historic houses include Bentworth Hall (4.8 miles north). Historic houses and estates often have their own rules on caterers and cooking, so check early if that’s your venue.
Before booking anyone
- Staff numbers and hours
- The deadline for final numbers
- What happens if it rains
- Any travel, parking or access charges
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
A DIY paella party works for small groups. For big numbers or lots of diets, a caterer makes life easier, and handles separate pans for each diet.
Cooking it yourself? Test your pan and burner first, keep the stock hot, and leave the rice alone once it is in. Keep a clear zone around the burner.
The process
The cooking is part of the entertainment. We start with the sofrito, add the stock and saffron, then spread the rice across the pan and leave it alone to cook while your guests chat. At midsummer, sunset in Charlwood is about 9:20pm, so we can time the evening paella around your photos. Sunset is around 8:55pm in late May and 7:10pm in late September.
- You tell us your date, venue, guest numbers and how you picture the day.
- Together we plan each course and confirm the price.
- Timings are agreed with you and the venue, around speeches and photos.
- We cook live on the day and serve every course on cue.
- Afterwards we clear our area; any staff you’ve booked stay as planned.
How to prepare
- Give us your final numbers and diets
- Ensure we can park close by to unload
- Let us know who to talk to on the day
Ask for a quote
We quote for each event separately, so you only pay for what you need. To ask for one, send us your details through our quote form.
Read more
Common questions in Charlwood
Can you cater a reception after a service at Monkwood Mission Church?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Live cooking typically happens at the reception venue, not the church. Tell us where the reception will be.
Do you cater in the South Downs National Park?
Yes. Some venues there have rules about vehicles, ground and cooking, so check with yours. We’ll follow the site rules.
Can you do gluten-free paella?
A gluten-free pan is no problem. Let us know about coeliac guests in advance so we can plan it carefully.
Can you do sangria?
We can make sangria, and provide bar staff to serve drinks you supply.
How much paella per person?
We plan quantities from your guest numbers, timings and other courses, with a sensible margin. Accurate numbers help.
Do you cook inside?
Mostly outside or under an open cover, since the burners are gas. We’ll check whether your venue has a suitable space.
Do you do starters?
Yes. Canapés with drinks or tapas for the tables, while the rice is cooking.
How much is live paella catering?
Every event is quoted individually, so you only pay for what you need. Tell us your date and numbers and we’ll reply with a price.
The menu, dish by dish
Evening paella
A second round of paella for the evening, quick to serve and filling.
Desserts
Churros with chocolate, crema catalana or tarta de Santiago.
- Cooked live in giant pans at your event
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal options
- Paella, tapas, canapés and desserts
- Sangria, bar staff, crockery and waiting staff