Kent · England
Wedding paella catering in River, Kent
Paella catering for weddings, from canapés to the wedding breakfast and evening food in River: paella cooked from scratch in huge pans, right in front of your guests, with tapas, desserts and drinks if you want them.
- Weddings with mixed diets
- Weddings with a Spanish theme
- Civil partnerships and vow renewals
Planning an event in River?
Before you choose a spot
Before the day, we will agree where we cook. A good spot ticks these boxes:
- Outdoor space or a ventilated gazebo
- Level ground for the pans and burners
- A safe distance from anything that could catch
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we will advise.
Menu ideas
- Canapé tapas
- Paella wedding breakfast
- Sangria & bar staff
- Dessert
- Evening paella
- Table tapas
Wedding paella catering for your wedding in River
Sharing from big pans suits relaxed weddings, especially with long tables and outdoor venues. It feels generous without being stuffy. Popular choices include table tapas, a paella wedding breakfast and Spanish desserts, and we’re regularly asked to cater spanish-themed and destination-style weddings and receptions after an intimate ceremony.
Weddings in a place like River frequently feel personal: a local church, then a marquee in a garden or field. Paella cooked on the lawn suits that perfectly. Tell us about access to the field or garden. We cook every pan in full view of your guests, so the food is hot, fresh and part of the occasion.
For planners, venues and organisers
For repeat events, such as annual staff parties or seasonal fairs, let us know your dates early, so we can plan ahead.
Planning an event for a club, school or charity in River? Paella is quick to serve to a crowd and suits most diets. Give us the details and we will suggest a plan.
Planning for every diet
We cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests. To get it right:
- Tell us how many evening guests to expect
- Choose pan-side or table service
- Introduce us to your venue coordinator
- Let us know about meals for your band or photographer
We keep in touch with your venue coordinator or toastmaster on the day, so you do not have to.
We can provide crockery and waiting staff if your venue does not.
Should I cook it myself?
Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it is harder than it looks. Large pans need the right burners, and getting the rice right at scale is tricky. Our guide to cooking paella for a crowd explains how.
Doing it yourself saves money, but the host ends up stuck at the stove. With live paella catering, you get the theatre without the work.
How the day works
Your timings come first. If speeches run late or the photos take longer, we hold the paella at the right stage so it is served at its best. In River, midsummer sunset is about 9:15pm, and by late September it is nearer 7:00pm, so an evening paella for evening guests is normally served in daylight in high summer. For autumn and winter weddings, when it’s dark by about 3:50pm in December, plan lighting for the cooking area.
- You tell us your date, venue, guest numbers and how you picture the day.
- We plan a menu with you, course by course, and confirm a quote.
- We agree timings with you and your venue, including speeches and photos.
- We cook live on the day and serve every course on cue.
- We pack down our cooking area, with staff staying as long as agreed.
Getting ready for the day
- Confirm numbers and diets before the day
- Share the running order, including any speeches
- Arrange a covered spot for wet weather
Ask for a quote
It’s easy to get a price: share your date, venue, numbers and diets. We’ll send a clear, itemised quote.
Planning help
Getting married in River?
River is about 1 mile north-west of Dover, in Kent. From the centre of River to the outskirts, we offer the same service: paella cooked live, every diet catered for and a clear quote. River is one of 922 towns and villages in Kent where we cook. Our events stretch from River to Canterbury (about 13 miles away).
If you’re hoping for photos in Old Park Hill, check whether the park needs permission for photography or gatherings. Put the station on your invitation: the nearest station is Kearsney station, about 0.5 miles north-west. The Kent Downs National Landscape is within about 8 miles of River, with plenty of rural wedding settings. Check vehicle access and cooking rules with the venue. With the coast within about 3 miles, a seafood paella suits a seaside-style wedding. We will plan shelter from sea breezes.
Here we cover the CT17 and CT16 postcode area, so your wedding can be anywhere in it. From Lower Road, Minnis Lane and London Road or anywhere nearby, we will bring the pans to you. Neighbouring places where we cater weddings include Kearsney (1 mile north-west), Temple Ewell (1 mile north-west), Dover (1 mile south-east), Whitfield (1 mile north-east) and Maxton (2 miles south). Larger places within reach include Canterbury (13 miles north-west), Folkestone (6 miles south-west), Ramsgate (15 miles north-east), Deal (7 miles north-east), Hythe (10 miles south-west) and Walmer (7 miles north-east).
Nearby you will also find Crabble Corn Mill (under half a mile south-east) and Dover Castle (2.2 miles south-east). The countryside around River includes Dover Western Heights.
- Local schools include Dover Christ Church Academy (1.2 miles south-east) and St Edmund's Catholic School (1.4 miles south-east)
- Local pubs include Royal Oak Cottage The Royal Oak Public House (under half a mile south)
Dishes our guests love
Evening paella
Evening paella is hot, filling and fun, especially after a few hours on the dance floor.
Paella wedding breakfast
Paellas for every guest, served hot and generous.
What wedding paella catering costs
There’s nothing hidden: the price is based on:
- Distance and access to the venue
- Starters, canapés and desserts
- The paellas you choose
- Whether you need crockery
Comparing caterers? Look at what each quote includes: staff, crockery, sides, travel and VAT. Our quotes spell it all out.
What to tell us
Good planning starts with a few facts. Please include:
- A picture of the cooking space, if it’s a garden or field
- The venue or postcode
- The date and time of the event
- What the venue already provides
Most quotes start with a few simple details: date, location, guest numbers and diets. To send them, send us your details through our quote form.
Common questions in River
Could we have live paella in Old Park Hill?
Only with permission from the park’s owner, usually the council. Ask them first, and we’ll send any information they need.
We are having a ceremony at Church of St Peter: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Churches rarely have space for live cooking, so the meal is generally elsewhere. Send us the reception address.
Can you do gluten-free paella?
Yes, on request. Rice is naturally gluten-free, but stock and some ingredients may not be, so we make a separate gluten-free pan.
Can you liaise with the venue coordinator?
Yes, it makes life easier. Introduce us and we’ll sort the details.
What do you need at the venue?
Level ground for the burners, pans and a table, in the open air or a ventilated covered area, and the venue’s permission for live cooking.
What about supplier meals?
Yes. Add your suppliers to the final numbers and we’ll plan for them.
What if our speeches run late?
We adapt. We stay in touch with your coordinator so the paella is served fresh.
How many different paellas?
Typically two or three, so every guest has a choice. Tell us about your guests’ diets and we’ll suggest the mix.
What else we do in River
Is live paella right for your wedding?
Compared with formal catering, live paella is relaxed and sociable, but with canapés, table tapas and good crockery, it still feels special. Live paella often compares well with a sit-down meal, as there is no kitchen to hire and fewer staff to pay. We’ll send you a quote.
What you get with us
- Drinks service on request
- Food that becomes part of the entertainment
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
- Waiting staff and crockery on request
- 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