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An elegant private party or small wedding can be wonderful at home, as long as the catering setup can handle it. In practice, that usually means around 40 to 60 guests and a menu that requires minimal cooking on site. For larger groups or a multi course dinner, an external venue is almost always the better choice. A professional kitchen, refrigeration, toilets and sufficient power are already in place. When planning wedding catering or a private party, start with the menu and guest count. Choose the setting afterwards.

Why is wedding catering at home more challenging than it looks?

A standard home kitchen is designed for a family, not for serving sixty plates within ten minutes. That is the challenge most people underestimate. A garden party may look effortlessly charming in photos, but the real question is whether the main course will still be hot when it reaches table eight. (Services)

According to CBS, 68.682 marriages took place in the Netherlands in 2024. AllesVoorJeHuwelijk.nl (2026) reports that the average Dutch wedding has 105 guests. For most homes, that already exceeds the capacity of the kitchen, fridge and a single household electrical circuit.

At home, three things tend to cause problems: there is not enough oven space, the fridge is already full of drinks, and there is nowhere practical to wash up. A caterer can solve this with a mobile kitchen, refrigerated trailer and extra power. However, every solution adds cost and takes up space on your property. Want to see the bigger picture first? This guide to planning a wedding or private party without the stress explains how to coordinate every element.

Home party or external venue: what are your options?

There are essentially three options, and each places different demands on your catering.

At home means in your garden, living room or a marquee on your own property. The caterer brings everything, from hot holding equipment to tableware. This works particularly well with a barbecue, a walking dinner with cold and warm dishes, or a food truck, since most of the preparation happens outside your kitchen.

An external event venue could be a function room, castle, industrial space or restaurant. These venues often already have a kitchen, refrigeration and a dedicated serving area. For wedding catering at an external venue, some venues work exclusively with their in house caterer. Always check whether you can bring your own caterer before falling in love with a particular space.

The middle ground is a marquee or pavilion on the property of family or friends, such as a farm. You get the space of a venue, but you still need to arrange all the facilities yourself. For events with 40 to 80 guests, the tipping point is clear in this comparison of a garden party and an event venue.

Where do home parties and event venues differ most?

The six factors below determine whether your catering runs smoothly or becomes a logistical headache.

Guest numbers. A home wedding with a seated dinner is usually limited to a few dozen guests, because plates have to leave the kitchen in batches. A buffet or walking dinner can accommodate more people, but you will need enough room for guests to move around and for standing tables.

Kitchen and refrigeration. A venue will typically have a cold room and a proper washing up area. At home, this often means hiring a refrigerated trailer and setting up a washing station in the garage.

Power supply. Hot holding equipment, a coffee bar, lighting and music can easily overload a domestic power supply. Ask your caterer to calculate the total power requirement in advance.

Weather. At a venue, you do not have to keep checking the forecast. At home, you need a marquee with sidewalls and a heated serving area, even in summer.

Responsibility and regulations. According to RIVM, taking measures to prevent illness from food and drink is a legal requirement when you serve food. The organiser remains responsible, even when several caterers are involved. A large marquee may also require notification to the local authority. For example, the municipality of Dalfsen requires a notification for a temporary space accommodating more than 150 people. Requirements differ by municipality, so always check the rules in your area.

Cost structure. Hosting at home saves on venue hire, but you may need to pay for a marquee, flooring, lighting, portable toilets, a generator and furniture. For larger groups, the total cost at home is often similar to an event venue, or even higher.

When should you choose home, and when should you choose a venue?

A useful rule of thumb is to count how many plates need to be served every fifteen minutes. If the busiest moment involves no more than a few dozen plates, and much of the food can be prepared in advance, hosting at home is achievable and often feels more personal. For wedding catering for one hundred guests who all need a hot main course at the same time, you need a professional kitchen. Most venues already have one.

Home is a great choice for a birthday, anniversary, intimate wedding or garden party where the menu suits the setting: barbecue, food truck, street food or drinks and canapés. A caterer who cooks in your garden and handles the tableware, standing tables and clearing up takes a great deal off your hands. See what is included with garden party catering with service staff. A venue is the obvious choice for a wedding with a multi course dinner, overnight guests or a late night party in a residential area. It also means you will not be debating noise levels with the neighbours. Not sure about a dinner? This guide to private dining at home or at a venue explains when the balance shifts.

Get started:

• Count your guests and write down your menu. Choose the setting afterwards.
• Ask the caterer how much power, refrigeration and workspace the menu requires.
• Contact your municipality if you are putting up a marquee or expecting a large number of guests.
• Ask the venue whether you can bring your own caterer.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a party for 50 people cost?

Catering with service staff is often between €45 and €100 per person, depending on the menu and duration. For 50 guests, that comes to roughly €2.250 to €5.000 for food and staff. Drinks, rentals and a marquee, if needed, are additional.

How much does a wedding for 100 people cost?

Your total budget will depend heavily on the venue, outfits, photographer and music. Wedding catering alone for 100 guests typically costs from several thousand euros to well over ten thousand euros, including daytime food and evening snacks. If you host at home, you will often need to budget extra for facilities that a venue already provides.

Do you need a permit for a party in your own garden?

For a private party on your own property, many municipalities do not require an event permit. However, a large marquee or a high guest count may require notification. Check local rules on noise and finishing times as well.

What are some original ideas for a wedding at home?

A food truck or live cooking in the garden turns food into part of the experience. A midnight snack around a fire pit or a coffee bar by the ceremony also works beautifully. Choose concepts where the cooking takes place outside your own kitchen.

Who is responsible if guests get sick from the food?

The organiser remains ultimately responsible for food safety, even when catering has been outsourced. Ask whether your caterer follows the Hygiene Code and how refrigeration and transport are handled. Professional caterers will usually document this in an event plan.

Where should you start when choosing between home and a venue?

Start with your guest count and menu. Then choose the setting that can handle that menu without complicated workarounds: home for a smaller, more personal gathering, and a venue once the dinner becomes large or elaborate.

La Casserole in Best provides wedding catering, styling, technical production, rentals and project management in one place. This can be arranged at a venue of your choice or at its own venues, Kasteel Henkenshage and Het Ketelhuis. Unsure which setting suits your guest count and menu? Request advice or a wedding catering quote for your celebration.

Frequently asked questions about a wedding at home or at a venue

How many guests can you host at home for a wedding?

That depends on the indoor and outdoor space available, parking options and toilet facilities. A house or garden can be ideal for an intimate dinner, but larger groups usually require a marquee, extra toilets, additional power and a professional kitchen setup. Have the property assessed in advance if you are inviting more people than you would normally host at home.

Do you need a permit for a wedding in your garden?

Sometimes. A large marquee, amplified music, temporary structures, street parking or a party that runs late can all trigger notification or permit requirements. Check with your municipality early and let your neighbours know what to expect.

What happens if the weather is bad at a home wedding?

Always have a backup plan. Consider a marquee with sidewalls, adequate heating, a dry walkway and an indoor space for the ceremony or drinks reception. With wedding catering at home, you need to arrange these elements separately, while a venue often has them in place already.

Is a wedding venue always more expensive than hosting at home?

Not necessarily. You may save on venue hire at home, but you will often need to add marquees, furniture, toilets, glassware, staff, technical equipment, power and cleaning. At a venue, many of these essentials are already available or easy to add. Always compare the complete cost.

Can guests stay overnight at a wedding venue?

Many wedding venues work with hotels and bed and breakfasts, or offer accommodation themselves. This is especially convenient for guests travelling from further away or when you want to celebrate late into the night. When booking, ask about shuttle transport, room blocks and breakfast options for the following morning.

Conclusion

A wedding at home is a lovely fit for couples who want a personal, intimate atmosphere and are happy to manage the practical details carefully. A wedding venue offers more convenience, capacity and certainty for larger groups, extensive entertainment or a dinner with multiple courses.

The best choice is the place where your guests can celebrate comfortably and where wedding catering, planning and budget come together naturally. That way, your wedding day will not only look beautiful on paper, but will also feel calm and enjoyable on the day itself.

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