West Sussex · England
Wedding Paella Catering in West Thorney
Bring the theatre of live paella to your wedding in West Thorney. Everything is cooked fresh on the day, and serve it straight from the pan.
- Informal wedding breakfasts
- Barn and farm weddings
- Weddings in a marquee or garden
Wedding paella catering in West Thorney
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
If you do cook yourself, test the pan and burner together beforehand, have hot stock ready, and leave the rice alone once it is in. And keep children and pets well away from the burner.
Weighing up DIY against a caterer? Think about numbers, diets and how much you want to enjoy the day. We are happy to give you a quote to compare.
About our wedding paella catering in West Thorney
Sharing from big pans suits relaxed weddings, long tables and garden or barn venues. It feels generous and celebratory. Whether it is sharing-style wedding meals and destination-style celebrations at home, we can cook canapé tapas, Spanish desserts and evening paella and more.
There’s something special about a country wedding near West Thorney, and an open-air paella adds to it. Plan for access and a wet-weather cover. Each paella is cooked from scratch on the day, not reheated.
- Location
- West Thorney (PO10)
- County
- West Sussex
- Diets
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Add-ons
- Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
- Quote
- Contact us for a quote
- Last updated
- 23 October 2026
The menu, dish by dish
Desserts
To finish: Spanish desserts or your own cake.
Evening paella
A second round of paella for the evening, served quickly so the party keeps going.
Who books wedding paella catering in West Thorney?
Couples choose paella because it feels relaxed and generous, and because guests remember it.
These are some of the occasions we cater:
- Receptions after an intimate ceremony
- Weddings with a Spanish theme
- Informal wedding breakfasts
- Farm and barn venues
Put the station on your invitation: Southbourne station is about 2.2 miles away.
What your quote should include
- Exactly what’s included in the price
- What happens if it rains
- Allergen information for each dish
- Plates, cutlery and napkins, or disposables
What happens on the day
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. In West Thorney, midsummer sunset is about 9:20pm, and by late September it is nearer 7:05pm, which means evening paella is normally served in daylight in June and July. For autumn and winter weddings, when it is dark by about 4:00pm in December, plan lighting for the cooking area.
- You tell us your date, venue, guest numbers and how you picture the day.
- We build the menu course by course and send a quote.
- We fit our timings around your speeches, photos and venue.
- 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.
Getting ready for the day
- Have a level space ready for the pans
- Have a gazebo or cover ready if rain is likely
- Name one person we can ask on the day
How to get a price
Most quotes start with a few simple details: the date, where the event is, how many guests and any dietary needs. You can use our quote form.
Planning help
Organising for someone else?
Planners and coordinators can contact us directly, and we’ll keep everyone informed on the day.
For repeat events, such as annual staff parties or seasonal fairs, let us know your dates early, so we can plan ahead.
Weddings in West Thorney: venues, ceremonies and travel
West Thorney is about 5 miles south-east of Havant, in West Sussex. For wedding paella catering in West Thorney, we plan around your venue and timings: a quote, a plan and live cooking on the day. We cook in all 371 towns and villages in West Sussex, from the larger towns to small villages. You can also see our page for Southampton, about 22 miles away.
For outdoor photos, Nutborne Marshes is close by, and the countryside around West Thorney suits an outdoor reception. Couples marrying at local churches such as The Parish Church of St Nicholas often hold the reception nearby: the paella can be cooking while you have photos taken, so the meal is ready when you arrive. With the coast within about 4 miles, a seafood paella suits a seaside-style wedding. We will plan shelter from sea breezes.
We cater weddings across the PO10 postcode area and the streets around it. For weddings just outside West Thorney, we cover Thorney Island (1 mile north-west), Tye (2 miles west), Southbourne (2 miles north), North Hayling (2 miles west) and Northney (2 miles west). Further out, we also cater in Bognor Regis (10 miles east), Chichester (6 miles east), Selsey (8 miles south-east), Emsworth (3 miles north-west), Portfield (7 miles east) and Yapton (13 miles east).
Well-known places in the area include Emsworth Museum (2.5 miles north-west) and Warblington Castle (3.1 miles north-west). The countryside around West Thorney includes Nutborne Marshes.
- Schools near West Thorney include Bourne Community College (2.4 miles north)
Your questions about wedding paella catering in West Thorney
Can you cook near the sea around West Thorney?
Yes, with a sheltered cooking spot. Sea breezes cool the pan, so a windbreak, building or gazebo helps.
Could we have live paella in Eames Farm?
Only with permission from the park’s owner, usually the council. Check with them, and we will provide our paperwork.
When do you arrive?
We get there in good time to set up. The rice itself takes about 20 minutes, and we time it to your schedule.
Do you do starters?
Of course. Canapé tapas with the drinks, or table tapas to share, served while the paella cooks.
Can paella feel formal?
With the right presentation, it feels special: canapés, table tapas, good crockery and staff serving the tables.
How much paella per person?
Quantities depend on numbers, timing and courses, with a little extra built in. Accurate numbers help.
Where do you cater?
London and the South East: Kent, Surrey, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, Berkshire, Bucks, Oxfordshire and the Isle of Wight.
Can you cook halal paella?
Yes, on request. Tell us how many guests need halal food, and we’ll cook a separate pan.
What affects the price in West Thorney
Every event is priced individually, based on a few main things:
- Whether you need crockery
- Staff: cooks, waiting staff and bar staff
- The paellas you choose
- How long we’re needed on site
The price depends on your guest numbers, the menu and how many courses you choose, plus any staff, crockery and travel. We quote for each event individually.
Getting an accurate quote
Good planning starts with a few facts. Please include:
- A photo of the cooking space, if it’s a garden or field
- The courses you’d like
- Anything your venue supplies
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
Still deciding on the menu? That is fine: tell us about the occasion and the guests, and we will make suggestions. To start, fill in our quote form.
Also near West Thorney
Also in West Thorney
Diets, allergies and planning
Allergies and diets are taken seriously. Here’s how you can help:
- Ask whether your venue allows outside caterers
- Enquire early for peak dates
- Count day and evening guests separately
- Connect us with your coordinator
We generally set up where guests can watch, which makes a lovely backdrop for photos.
Add sangria, or bar staff to serve your own drinks.
Is live paella right for your wedding?
Food trucks serve one order at a time, which can mean long queues at a wedding. Paella is served quickly to many guests. Seafood and premium ingredients cost more than chicken or vegetable paellas, so the menu you choose affects the price. We’ll suggest options to suit your budget.
Why choose Love Paella in West Thorney
- Every diet catered for, pan by pan
- Cooking your guests will gather round to watch
- Tapas, canapés and desserts if you want them
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
Read Our pricing And The cost guide.
- 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