With outside catering (in Italian, catering libero) the venue rents the space and leaves the choice of supplier to you. This happens with historic houses, terraces, industrial spaces, gardens and country houses rented empty. There is also a middle way: the venue offers a list of approved suppliers.
Freedom has an organisational cost. You pay the hire separately, and the caterer may have to bring a field kitchen, tables, chairs, table linen, tableware, sometimes a marquee for plan B. The venue may charge the outside caterer for kitchen use, cleaning or a security deposit.
What to ask
Ask the venue what costs it applies to outside suppliers and check power, water, access and times. Ask the caterer whether it knows the space or will do a site visit. To compare the two set-ups, add up every item: the method is in the guide on exclusive or open catering venues.
