Hampshire · England
Wedding paella catering in St Ives, Hampshire
Bring the theatre of live paella to your wedding in St Ives. We cook from scratch on site, and serve it straight from the pan.
- Evening food for extra guests
- Informal wedding breakfasts
- Rustic barn weddings
Wedding paella catering in St Ives
About our wedding paella catering in St Ives
We can add sangria, bar staff, crockery and waiting staff, so the catering fits the way you want your day to feel. Whether it is sharing-style wedding meals and weddings in a marquee or garden, we can cook a paella wedding breakfast, evening paella and canapé tapas.
A wedding in a small place like St Ives frequently means a field, a barn or a family garden. Live paella is made for that: no kitchen needed, just a level, sheltered spot. Let us know about access and ground. Everything is cooked from scratch at your wedding, never made in advance and reheated.
Your questions about wedding paella catering in St Ives
We are having a ceremony at All Saints: 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 normally elsewhere. Tell us where the reception will be.
Could we have live paella in Avon Heath Country Park?
Only if the landowner, normally the council, allows it. Check with them, and we will provide our paperwork.
Is the paella gluten-free?
A gluten-free pan is no problem. Tell us about any coeliac guests when you book so we take the right care.
Do you cook inside?
Indoors only where ventilation and the venue allow it. Courtyards, doorways and terraces frequently work.
What does wedding paella catering cost?
The price depends on numbers, menu, courses, staff and travel. Tell us about your event and we will send a quote.
Can paella feel formal?
It can be as relaxed or as polished as you like, depending on presentation and service.
Should we have more than one paella?
Two or three is usual: a meat or mixed paella, a seafood paella and a vegetable or vegan one. We will suggest a split based on your guests.
What happens if it rains?
We need a covered spot, such as a gazebo, marquee or open-sided barn with good ventilation. We plan for rain with you in advance.
Before you choose a spot
Most gardens and venues can host live paella, but there are a few things to check:
- Confirmation that open cooking is allowed
- A safe distance from anything that could catch
- Access for unloading near the cooking spot
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we’ll tell you honestly.
What we offer
- Sangria & bar staff
- Canapé tapas
- Table tapas
- Evening paella
- Paella wedding breakfast
- Dessert
Paella compared with other options
A buffet can leave food sitting out. Paella is served hot from the pan when guests are ready. Live paella frequently compares well with a sit-down meal, as there’s no kitchen to hire and fewer staff to pay. Ask us for a quote.
Why us?
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
- Real theatre, not just catering
- A quote that spells everything out
Read Our pricing Or The cost guide.
A closer look at the menu
Canapé tapas
Canapés keep guests happy between the ceremony and the meal, without spoiling appetites.
Desserts
Churros with chocolate, crema catalana or tarta de Santiago.
Wedding venues and ceremonies near St Ives
St Ives is in Hampshire. Tell us where your wedding in St Ives will be, and we’ll plan the journey and set-up. We cater in 683 places in Hampshire. Our nearest city page is Southampton, about 20 miles away.
Nearby historic houses include Avon Tyrrell House (4.5 miles south-east). If your reception is at a historic house or estate, ask early about its rules on caterers and live cooking. If you are hoping for photos in Avon Heath Country Park, check whether the park needs permission for photography or gatherings. With the New Forest National Park within about 6 miles, there are country venues, barns and gardens nearby. Check vehicle access and cooking rules with the venue.
This part of Hampshire takes in BH24, and we can cater your wedding anywhere in it. We can cater a wedding on streets such as Compton Beeches, Post Office Lane and Azalea Close or the roads around them. Close by, we cover weddings in Ashley Heath (1 mile west), Avon Castle (1 mile south-east), St Leonards (1 mile south-west) and Matchams (1 mile south). Further out, we also cater in Totton (15 miles east), Lymington (13 miles south-east), New Milton (9 miles south-east), Barton on Sea (10 miles south-east), Ashley (10 miles south-east) and Milford on Sea (13 miles south-east).
Well-known places in the area include St Leonard's Hospital (1.8 miles south-west). Not far away are Blashford Lakes and Linbrook Lake.
- Schools near St Ives include Ringwood Waldorf School (0.9 miles north-east) and Ringwood School (2 miles north-east)
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
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’ll do the cooking.
Hiring a pan and burner is one option, but you’ll still need to source ingredients, prep and cook for hours. We take care of all of it.
Perfect for your wedding in St Ives
It’s a natural fit for barns, marquees and gardens, where plated meals are harder.
If you’re planning any of these, we can help:
- Big weddings with every diet
- Civil partnerships and vow renewals
- Farm and barn venues
- Receptions after an intimate ceremony
Couples marrying at local churches such as All Saints frequently hold the reception nearby: we can be cooking during the photos, so it is ready as guests arrive.
What your quote should include
- The deposit and payment dates
- How bad weather is handled
- Exactly what’s included in the price
- If the price includes VAT
What wedding paella catering costs
There are no hidden charges: the price is based on:
- Your choice of paellas
- Guest numbers
- Staff: cooks, waiting staff and bar staff
- The length of service
Extras such as tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are priced separately, so you can choose exactly what you need.
Getting an accurate quote
A few details help us give you an accurate quote. Here’s what to include:
- Where the event is
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- Which courses you have in mind
- A picture of the space, if you can
Not sure what you need yet? No problem: tell us about the occasion and the guests, and we’ll suggest a menu. To start, send us your details through our quote form.
Places near St Ives
What else we do in St Ives
Catering for every guest
A little planning makes sure everyone can eat. Here’s how:
- Send us the running order and speech times
- Decide whether guests queue at the pans or are served at the tables
- Tell us how many evening guests to expect
- Connect us with your coordinator
The pans are frequently set up where guests can see them, which makes a lovely backdrop for photos.
Canapé tapas with the drinks reception keep guests going during photos.
How it works
On the day, we set up the burners and pans and start cooking the sofrito and stock. Once the rice goes in, it takes about 20 minutes, so we time everything to your schedule. Golden-hour photos in St Ives at midsummer come around 9:25pm, so we can time the evening paella around your photos. In late May, sunset is about 8:55pm, and in late September about 7:10pm.
- First, we check your date.
- You pick the courses and dishes.
- We confirm the plan with your coordinator.
- The pans cook while guests enjoy the drinks.
- We serve, then pack down.
Getting ready for the day
- Name one person we can ask on the day
- Plan cover in case of rain
- Get the venue’s permission for cooking
Get a quote
Send us the date, your venue or BH24 postcode and guest numbers, plus any dietary needs, and we’ll reply with a menu suggestion and a quote. Just send us your details through our quote form.
Related guides
- 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