Reading · England
Wedding Paella Catering in Southcote
Bring the theatre of live paella to your wedding in Southcote. Everything is cooked fresh on the day, and serve it straight from the pan.
- Food for evening guests
- Vow renewals and civil ceremonies
- Weddings in a marquee or garden
Wedding paella catering near Southcote
Planning the cooking area
No two venues are the same, so we ask about the space when you get in touch. In general, we need:
- A cooking spot outside the marquee, not inside it
- Somewhere close to park and unload
- Space well away from trees, fences and gazebo walls
If you’re unsure, send a photo of the space and we will say what we think before booking.
What we offer
- Table tapas
- Paella wedding breakfast
- Dessert
- Sangria & bar staff
- Evening paella
- Canapé tapas
Wedding paella catering for your wedding in Southcote
We plan the wedding menu with you, course by course, around your guests, your venue and your budget. Typical bookings include weddings in a marquee or garden and rustic barn weddings, serving a paella wedding breakfast, Spanish desserts and evening paella.
In Southcote, a local ceremony and a marquee reception is a lovely, personal choice. Paella cooked on the lawn suits that perfectly. Let us know about access for the van. Every pan is cooked in front of your guests, so it arrives hot and becomes part of the event.
Paella compared with other options
Live paella is less formal than a plated meal, but with canapés, table tapas and good crockery, it still feels special. If you have a budget in mind, tell us, and we will suggest a menu to match. A simple menu can still feel generous.
Why choose Love Paella in Southcote
- Served hot, straight from the pan
- Live cooking, not reheated food
- Food that becomes part of the entertainment
- Sangria and bar staff available
Read How we price And What paella catering costs.
For event organisers in Southcote
For repeat events, such as annual staff parties or seasonal fairs, let us know your dates early, so we can plan ahead.
Throwing a party at home? Send a photo of the space and tell us about parking, and we’ll tell you honestly whether live paella will work.
Diets, allergies and planning
Dietary needs are easy to plan for with a little notice. We suggest:
- Decide whether guests queue at the pans or are served at the tables
- Let us know about meals for your band or photographer
- Share your running order, including speeches
- Book early for summer Saturdays
If speeches or photos run over, tell us, and we will adjust the cooking so the paella is served at its best.
We can provide crockery and waiting staff if your venue does not.
Towns and villages near Southcote
Other catering in Southcote
Why choose wedding paella catering in Southcote?
Paella can work for the wedding breakfast, the evening, or both, so it fits any plan.
Live paella works for big and small events alike. Common bookings include:
- Receptions after an intimate ceremony
- Food for evening guests
- Barn and farm weddings
- Relaxed sharing-style wedding breakfasts
For outdoor photos, Fobney Island Wetland Reserve is close by, and the countryside around Southcote suits an outdoor reception.
Questions to ask before booking
- How bad weather is handled
- Space, access and power needs
- Payment terms and deposit
- Whether travel is included
FAQs for Southcote
Is Southcote close to London?
About 40 miles from central London.
Can you cook in Calcot Park?
Only with permission from the park’s owner, generally the council. Check with them, and we’ll provide our paperwork.
Can you do our whole wedding menu?
We can. We can do canapés, tapas, the wedding breakfast, evening food and desserts.
When do you arrive?
It depends on the menu and numbers. We will agree arrival, cooking and serving times with you.
Where do you cater?
We cover London and the South East, Reading included. Find your area.
Can you supply plates?
Yes, on request. Proper crockery or quality disposables can be added to your booking.
Is the paella cooked on site?
Yes. We cook from scratch in large pans at your venue, where your guests can watch.
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, plus the venue’s agreement to cooking.
Wedding venues and ceremonies near Southcote
Southcote is about 2 miles west of Reading, in Reading. Whether your wedding is in the middle of Southcote or on the outskirts, wedding paella catering works the same way: live cooking, separate pans for every diet and a clear price. Southcote is one of 34 places in Reading where we cook.
Nearby historic houses include Mapledurham House (3.1 miles north). Historic houses and estates frequently have their own rules on caterers and cooking, so check early if that is your venue. Couples marrying at local churches such as St Matthew's frequently hold the reception nearby: we can be cooking during the photos, so it is ready as guests arrive.
We cater weddings across RG30, RG31 and RG1 and the streets around it. Local streets include Bath Road, Dwyer Road and Brunel Road; a wedding at home on any of them works well with live paella. For weddings just outside Southcote, we cover Fords Farm (1 mile west), Horncastle (1 mile west), Burghfield Bridge (1 mile south-west), Tilehurst Within (1 mile north-west) and Norcot (1 mile north-west). We also cook in nearby towns such as Caversham (3 miles north-east), Shinfield (4 miles south-east), Arborfield Garrison (6 miles south-east), Caversham Heights (3 miles north), Whitley Wood (3 miles south-east) and Sonning Common (5 miles north).
A little further out are Beaumys Castle (4.7 miles south) and Battle Hospital (1.3 miles north-east). Not far away are Sonning Hill and South Lake.
- Local schools include Prospect School (0.5 miles north-west) and Elvian School (0.6 miles north-east)
- Local pubs include The Happy Prospect pub (within half a mile east)
DIY paella versus live catering
You can cook paella for a crowd yourself, but it takes practice. A big pan needs a burner that heats it evenly, and getting the rice right for dozens of people takes experience. Our guide to cooking paella for a crowd explains how.
Plenty of people try cooking paella for their own party. The usual problems are a pan too big for the burner, too much rice and stirring once the rice is in. If you’d rather be with your guests, we will do the cooking.
How we price wedding paella catering
The price comes down to a few factors:
- How many courses
- Parking and unloading
- How long we are needed on site
- The number of people
Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are optional extras, so you only pay for what you want.
What we need to know
Good planning starts with a few facts. Try to include:
- The address or venue name
- Your date and when you want to eat
- Roughly how many adults and children
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
We quote for each event separately, so the price fits what you actually want. For a quote, fill in our quote form.
How the day works
From set-up to serving, we look after the food, so you’re free to enjoy your wedding. If you’ve chosen tapas or canapés, they go out first as the rice is cooking. In Southcote, midsummer sunset is about 9:25pm, and by late September it is nearer 7:10pm, which means evening paella is generally served in daylight in June and July. For autumn and winter weddings, when it’s dark by about 3:55pm in December, plan lighting for the cooking area.
- We check availability for your date.
- You choose canapés, tapas, paellas and desserts.
- We confirm the plan with your coordinator.
- Guests watch the paella cook during the reception.
- We serve, then pack down.
Getting ready for the day
- Share the running order, including any speeches
- Arrange parking near the cooking spot
- Make sure the spot is clear of anything flammable
How to get a price
It is easy to get a price: tell us the date, place, numbers and any dietary needs. We’ll come back with a clear quote.
Planning help
- 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