Wedding Catering in Southland: How to Choose the Perfect Menu for Your Big Day
Planning your wedding is one of the most exciting journeys you'll ever take, and one of the biggest decisions you'll make is choosing the food you'll share with your family and friends. Great catering is about so much more than serving a meal – it's about creating an experience your guests will remember long after the last dance.
At MASH Catering, we've been catering Southland weddings for more than 23 years, serving thousands of guests across Invercargill, Fiordland, Central Otago and beyond. Whether you're planning an intimate garden celebration or a 300-guest marquee wedding, we're here to help bring your vision to life.
Start with Your Wedding Style
The style of your wedding should influence your catering just as much as your décor or venue.
Elegant & Formal
A beautifully plated dinner creates a sophisticated atmosphere and allows every course to be carefully presented.
Relaxed & Social
Shared banquet dining has become one of New Zealand's most popular wedding catering styles. Guests pass platters around the table, creating conversation and a warm, family-style atmosphere.
Outdoor & Rustic
Food stations, live BBQs and our Fire & Feast experiences add theatre to your reception and let guests explore different flavours throughout the evening.
Fun & Memorable
Our MASH x Uppercuts Food Trailer is perfect for relaxed weddings, late-night suppers, cocktail-style receptions or the day-after recovery brunch.
How Much Food Do You Really Need?
One of the biggest concerns couples have is making sure nobody leaves hungry.
That's where experience matters.
We'll help you determine the right menu and portion sizes based on:
Guest numbers
Time of day
Length of your reception
Alcohol service
Wedding style
Budget
Our goal is simple: generous portions, exceptional quality and happy guests.
Popular Wedding Catering Options
Every wedding is different, which is why we offer a wide range of catering styles.
Our most popular options include:
Cocktail Canapés
Food Stations
Shared Banquet Dining
Southland Harvest Buffets
Premium BBQ & Banquet Menus
Fire & Dine Experiences
Food Trailer Weddings
Late Night Supper Menus
Day After Recovery Brunches
Many couples also mix and match options—for example, canapés during cocktail hour, a shared banquet for dinner, followed by burgers from the food trailer later in the evening.
Catering for Dietary Requirements
Modern weddings often include a wide variety of dietary needs.
We regularly cater for:
Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Vegetarian
Vegan
Nut Allergies
Coeliac requirements
Food intolerances
Our team works with every couple before the wedding to ensure all guests are looked after without compromising on flavour or presentation.
We Travel Throughout Southland & Beyond
While we're based in Invercargill, we regularly cater weddings throughout:
Southland
Invercargill
Fiordland
Queenstown
Central Otago
Wanaka
Cromwell
Te Anau
Winton
Gore
Orepuki
Riverton
Our fully mobile commercial kitchen means we can produce restaurant-quality food almost anywhere.
Why Couples Choose MASH Catering
Choosing your caterer is about trust as much as the menu.
Couples choose MASH because we offer:
✓ Over 23 years of wedding catering experience
✓ Over 30 successful weddings every year
✓ Professional chefs and experienced event staff
✓ Flexible menus tailored to your wedding
✓ Full mobile catering capabilities
✓ Exceptional service from enquiry through to pack down
We understand that every wedding is unique, and we pride ourselves on creating menus that reflect your style, your guests and your budget.
Tips for Choosing Your Wedding Menu
When planning your menu, keep these points in mind:
Choose food you'll genuinely enjoy.
Think about the overall atmosphere you want to create.
Consider the season and venue.
Allow for dietary requirements early.
Don't underestimate the value of experienced caterers.
Include something memorable, whether that's a live food station, wood-fired feast or late-night burger service.
Let's Create Something Unforgettable
Your wedding meal should be one of the highlights of your day.
Whether you're dreaming of elegant shared banquets, incredible canapés, premium BBQ dining or a relaxed food trailer celebration, MASH Catering can help create a menu that your guests will be talking about for years to come.
If you're planning your wedding in Southland, Invercargill, Queenstown, Fiordland or Central Otago, we'd love to chat about your ideas.
Get in touch today to request our latest wedding catering packages and let's start planning a wedding feast that's every bit as memorable as your celebration.
Meet Fire & Dine: The Southland Event Everyone Is Talking About
What started as an idea to bring people together around great food and fire has quickly become one of Southland's most sought-after dining experiences.
Fire & Dine by MASH Catering Limited at The Hideaway 201 combines live fire cooking, premium local ingredients, handcrafted cocktails and a unique social atmosphere.
Guests enjoy unlimited access to multiple food stations featuring favourites such as:
• Lamb Shoulder Loaded Agrias
• Mini Beef Smash Burgers
• Bourbon Glazed Pork Ribs
• Chicken Souvlaki Flatbreads
• Wood-Fired Mussels
• Fire-Baked Brie
• Churros and S'mores
Set amongst outdoor fire pits, fairy lights and beautiful gardens, Fire & Dine offers a dining experience unlike anything else in Southland.
Many dates sell out weeks in advance, with guests travelling from throughout Southland, Otago and beyond to experience the event.
Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply looking for a memorable night out, Fire & Dine is a perfect example of what happens when exceptional food meets a unique venue.
Final tickets left available for Thursday 9 July, Friday 7 August and Saturday 8 August https://www.mashcatering.co.nz/mashevents2026
Now taking bookings for private groups and Christmas functions.
Top 6 Wedding Venues in Invercargill, Southland & The Catlins (That Are Perfect for our Catering)
Planning your big day in Southland? Whether you're after rustic charm, garden elegance, or a relaxed country setting, this region is home to some truly special wedding venues. Even better? These locations pair perfectly with catering by MASH — from plated mains and shared-style dining to our signature food trailer service.
Here are six of our absolute favourite venues—iconic spots and hidden gems alike.
1. The Hideaway 201 – Winton
This lush 10-acre venue is a local favourite, offering a mix of indoor and outdoor spaces—including a stunning Courtyard, the beautifully appointed Venue, and a large garden Marquee.
Why we love it:
We know this place inside and out—it’s our second home! With easy food trailer access, full kitchen hookups, and dreamy photo backdrops, it’s ideal for everything from canapés and grazing tables to full plated dinners and dessert bars.
2. Anderson House – Invercargill
Tucked away in Andersons Park, this historic Invercargill landmark offers a romantic, heritage-rich atmosphere and beautiful gardens.
Why we love it:
The expansive outdoor lawn is perfect for setting up our food trailer or roaming canapé service. Plus, the surrounding gardens make for some of the best wedding photos in town.
3. River Ridge Retreat – Catlins
Nestled in the heart of the Catlins, River Ridge Retreat is a peaceful, all-in-one destination surrounded by native bush and birdlife. It’s perfect for couples wanting a full weekend experience.
Why we love it:
This remote and magical spot is one of Southland’s most tranquil locations. With onsite accommodation, ceremony and reception spaces, and plenty of open space for a food trailer or outdoor service—it’s a dream for relaxed, nature-loving couples.
4. Civic Theatre – Invercargill
For couples looking to host a bold and memorable celebration, the Civic Theatre provides a grand, architectural space right in the heart of the city.
Why we love it:
The grandeur of the venue pairs beautifully with upscale banquet or plated menus on the stage, or walk & fork service and catering stations around the venue.
5. Scottish Hall – Invercargill
A versatile and well-known function space, Scottish Hall offers heritage charm with a warm, welcoming atmosphere—ideal for weddings with heart.
Why we love it:
It’s spacious and flexible, making it easy to tailor the menu and format to suit. Whether you want a casual buffet, grazing platters, or a late-night slider drop, we’ll make it work beautifully.
6. Private Property or Marquee Weddings – Anywhere in Southland
Don't overlook the beauty of your own backyard, family farm, or remote scenic spot. Some of our most meaningful weddings have been held in paddocks, orchards, beaches, and paddling-distance-from-the-power-shed locations.
Why we love it:
Our mobile food trailer and fully self-contained kitchen mean we can cater anywhere—no on-site kitchen needed. It’s catering freedom with style.
💌 Planning Your Southland Wedding?
Let’s make it a day to remember - for all the right reasons.
We cater weddings all over Invercargill, Southland and beyond, with everything from grazing tables, canapés, and buffet service, to elegant plated dining and late-night food truck snacks.