Can't find anywhere to facilitate a cultural wedding - really need help

dontpanic

Hi

I hope I am posting in the right place.

My friend is trying to plan a wedding that will hold 300 people. We have contacted approx 30 places. Many venues only want their kitchen to make the food which is fine, but they won't accommodate Nigerian food.

The few places that allow catering have an "approved list" and again, no one on these lists will cater to Nigerian food and will only offer a set menu. She can provide her own caterer (fully insured) and the excuse for outside catering is that insurance isn't covered - we have contacted the food safety authority who have confirmed that this is nonsense.

We have no facility/ ground to set up a marquee so that's out.

Is there any way around this? Any and all constructive suggestions are welcome. Thanks

listermint

Have you considered contacting sports clubs. Cricket clubs gaa or soccer clubs.

They may be open to outside catering some of the guests may have some sports affiliations

drunkmonkey

Would you have an idea what's on the menu, are they worried about a certain food.

bertsmom

Just wondering what is a cultural wedding? I've not heard of it before. Is it like a humanist or spiritual ceremony? Sorry I've no advice to offer on this really but perhaps look at sports type halls and and venues like that. It would be a lot of work tho I imagine to get it decorated nicely for a wedding. Maby large parish hall might work either?

uck51js9zml2yt

There are venues who only provide the venue with the couple organising caterers.
My niece's both did this but I can't think we're the weddings were.

dontpanic

A cultural wedding in this case is just a Nigerian wedding. It's what they call it. The only issue we are having is with the food. I have no idea what the problem with this is given that the food authority themselves stated that there is no problem with an outside, insured catered delivering the food.

dontpanic

Mario Obnoxious Somehow wrote: »

There are venues who only provide the venue with the couple organising caterers.
My niece's both did this but I can't think we're the weddings were.

If the places pop into your head please do let me know

dontpanic

listermint wrote: »

Have you considered contacting sports clubs. Cricket clubs gaa or soccer clubs.

They may be open to outside catering some of the guests may have some sports affiliations

hadn't considered cricket clubs. thanks

Super hoop

Whats your location?

Addle

I know of hotels that won't allow wedding cakes that aren't supplied by the hotel to be served at the reception.
It's not a surprise that a hotel doesn't want to host a party where it won't provide the food-its like having a byob party in a pub.
There are plenty of venues nationwide that can be hired.
What location are you interested in?

bertsmom

Im in the west of the country so probably not much help but what about trying places that hold exhibitions or displays like large conference centres or theatres (even unused ones) or like small type version of whats called the black box in Galway city. Its more venue than romantic wedding backdrop but perhaps could be pretty with effort...

dontpanic

Addle wrote: »

I know of hotels that won't allow wedding cakes that aren't supplied by the hotel to be served at the reception.
It's not a surprise that a hotel doesn't want to host a party where it won't provide the food-its like having a byob party in a pub.
There are plenty of venues nationwide that can be hired.
What location are you interested in?

There genuinely aren't plenty of venues. I promise I've checked but you know any I might have missed please do let me know. Any help I can get!

Dublin based preferable but very open to neighbouring counties.

dontpanic

bertsmom wrote: »

Im in the west of the country so probably not much help but what about trying places that hold exhibitions or displays like large conference centres or theatres (even unused ones) or like small type version of whats called the black box in Galway city. Its more venue than romantic wedding backdrop but perhaps could be pretty with effort...

Didn't think of this. Am willing to put in the work to make it pretty. thanks

Redser87

We initially looked up alternative venues for our wedding and some museums and other cultural institutions hire out rooms but require the couple to organise catering- the national gallery and IMMA spring to mind, although I don't know if they could accommodate those numbers. Or check out the Royal College of surgeons... Or the Pillar Room in the Rotunda hospital is surprisingly beautiful if they can get past the fact that it's in a maternity hospital!!

dontpanic

Redser87 wrote: »

We initially looked up alternative venues for our wedding and some museums and other cultural institutions hire out rooms but require the couple to organise catering- the national gallery and IMMA spring to mind, although I don't know if they could accommodate those numbers. Or check out the Royal College of surgeons... Or the Pillar Room in the Rotunda hospital is surprisingly beautiful if they can get past the fact that it's in a maternity hospital!!

OMG the Pillar Room is stunning. thank you! will ring them first thing tomorrow

Super hoop

dontpanic wrote:

There genuinely aren't plenty of venues. I promise I've checked but you know any I might have missed please do let me know. Any help I can get!

dontpanic wrote:

Dublin based preferable but very open to neighbouring counties.

Definitely check out gaa clubs, which part of Dublin are you in?the in laws local gaa club recently had an african wedding in its large sports hall

dontpanic

Super hoop wrote: »

Definitely check out gaa clubs, which part of Dublin are you in?the in laws local gaa club recently had an african wedding in its large sports hall

Thank you. We went into the GAA club in Drimnagh the other day. Very spacious and the only place willing to accommodate. The only concern we had would be attempting make such a huge space look less like a basketball court.

Though I guess we could have a quick game if we get bored at the reception

Super hoop

dontpanic wrote:

Thank you. We went into the GAA club in Drimnagh the other day. Very spacious and the only place willing to accommodate. The only concern we had would be attempting make such a huge space look less like a basketball court.

St. Mark's gaa club in Springfield is the one im thinking of.

dontpanic

Super hoop wrote: »

St. Mark's gaa club in Springfield is the one im thinking of.

oh that one looks nice from the outside. Will investigate further.

Thank you everyone so far. super helpful!! I was giving up.

Addle

Wouldn't a wedding in the convention centre be amazing???

I'm in the west so haven't much experience of catered parties in Dublin, but was at a wedding in the kings inns which was impressive.

https://venuesearch.ie/dublin-venues/

https://verve.ie/venues-dublin/

dontpanic

Addle wrote: »

Wouldn't a wedding in the convention centre be amazing???

I'm in the west so haven't much experience of catered parties in Dublin, but was at a wedding in the kings inns which was impressive.

https://venuesearch.ie/dublin-venues/

https://verve.ie/venues-dublin/

It certainly would! checking photos and capacity now

gracemarie

Have they tried Royal Hospital Kilmainham? Would definitely fit 300 people and you bring in your own caterers

Other options are Trudder Lodge and Clonwilliam House in Wicklow, Borris House in Carlow although I’m not sure about capacity in those venues.

Peatys

dontpanic wrote: »

I have no idea what the problem with this is given that the food authority themselves stated that there is no problem with an outside, insured catered delivering the food.

If the venue don't supply the food, they lose out on the that revenue.


Edit, don't mind this irrelevant bit, I paid 11k for my reception. How much are you willing to pay to hire just the venue for a few hours?

Cushie Butterfield

As well as clubs already mentioned try local community centres.

dontpanic

Peatys wrote: »

If the venue don't supply the food, they lose out on the that revenue.

I paid 11k for my reception. How much are you willing to pay to hire just the venue for a few hours?

Yeah I know but for the places that allow outside catering, I imagine they take a cut but most of the revenue goes to the "approved" catererer, no? It's frustrating that they won't admit it's the loss of revenue but instead are the giving us an insurance runaround.

The budget is very flexible and quite generous.

dontpanic

Cushie Butterfield wrote: »

As well as clubs already mentioned try local community centres.

great idea. thanks

baby and crumble

dontpanic wrote: »

Yeah I know but for the places that allow outside catering, I imagine they take a cut but most of the revenue goes to the "approved" catererer, no? It's frustrating that they won't admit it's the loss of revenue but instead are the giving us an insurance runaround.

The budget is very flexible and quite generous.

To be fair while the FSA might say there's no issue with outside caterers, you have no idea of the individual organisational insurance that those venues have. There may be well something regarding insurance against people getting food poisoning, outside caterers spilling food and either a guest or the venue staff slipping and being injured etc.

Spook_ie

what about one of the venues used on "Don't Tell The Bride" most of the ones I caught on TV ( sad I know! ) seemed to need catering organised rather than being on site

love_love

OP, have you asked the caterers where they have previously catered weddings/events? They may be able to point you in the direction of suitable venues. Good luck, I hope it works out

dontpanic

Hi All

Thank you so much for all the great ideas. Every post was so helpful!

It's looking like one of the GAA clubs, we are waiting on confirmation to book. The lady just needs to double check if it is "okay to host a Nigerian wedding reception"! :eek:

Anyway, for everyone else who may come across this thread in future, here is a list of potential venues (excluding GAA clubs) that hold over 200 people and may allow outside catering.



https://www.rotundafoundation.ie/function-room/



https://www.dublinconventionbureau.com/Asset/find_a_venue/unique_venues_dublin/Christchurch_Cathedral photos: https://christchurchcathedral.ie/venue-hire/cathedral-hire/



http://www.dublincastle.ie/venue-hire/



https://www.dublinconventionbureau.com/Asset/find_a_venue/gala_dinner_venues_dublin/Croke_Park_Conference_Centre



https://www.dublinconventionbureau.com/Asset/find_a_venue/gala_dinner_venues_dublin/Guinness_Storehouse



https://www.dublinconventionbureau.com/Asset/find_a_venue/unique_venues_dublin/Royal_College_of_Surgeons_in_Ireland



https://www.dublinconventionbureau.com/Asset/find_a_venue/gala_dinner_venues_dublin/Helix-DCU-Conference-Centre



https://venuesearch.ie/listing/howth-yacht-club/



https://venuesearch.ie/listing/the-complex/



https://www.theconferenceandeventsvenue.ie/our-venues/the-round-room/



http://www.rds.ie/The-Venue/Floor-Plans/Main-Hall-Complex/Hall-4-(Industries-Hall) "range of catering options"



https://www.facebook.com/pg/AmbassadorDublin/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1402719926654887



https://libertyhalltheatre.ie/about/



https://www.portmarnock.com/weddings.html



http://bordgaisenergytheatre.ie/info/venue-hire

Addle

That's a great long list.

How did the lady know it's a Nigerian wedding, as opposed to a wedding, or a party?