Can You Host a Wedding at Claudia Sanders Dinner House?

Yes — you can host a wedding at Claudia Sanders Dinner House in Shelbyville, Kentucky. The restaurant has four banquet rooms that seat from 55 to 450 guests, and if the Dinner House caters your wedding reception, use of the facility for your ceremony is free of charge, whether indoors or in the courtyard garden.

Couples choose Claudia Sanders for the combination of a historic setting, scratch-made Southern food, and a venue that can handle both the ceremony and the reception in one location. The Colonel's Quarters — the largest room — seats 450 guests with standing room for 1,000, making it one of the largest private event spaces in the Shelbyville area.

Wedding Ceremony and Reception in One Place

One of the biggest advantages of hosting a wedding at the Dinner House is that the ceremony and reception can happen at the same location. If the restaurant caters your reception, the ceremony space — indoors or in the courtyard garden — is included at no additional charge. This simplifies logistics for couples and guests, eliminating the need to travel between a ceremony site and a reception venue.

The courtyard garden offers an outdoor option for couples who want an open-air ceremony, while the indoor banquet rooms provide a weather-proof alternative. The staff works with each couple to customize the layout, timing, and menu for their specific celebration.

Banquet Rooms and Capacities

The Dinner House has four private banquet rooms, each suited to different group sizes:

• Kentucky Room — intimate gatherings and smaller receptions
• Thoroughbred Room — mid-size celebrations
• Saddlebred Room — mid-size to larger parties
• Colonel's Quarters — the largest room, seating 450 guests with standing room for 1,000

Rooms can be combined or configured to fit the guest count. The full bar and space for a live band or DJ make the reception as lively or as relaxed as the couple wants.

Catering and Menus

Wedding catering at Claudia Sanders means the same scratch-made food served in the dining room, prepared in the Dinner House kitchen. Couples can choose from Southern buffets, carving and pasta stations, appetizers, entrées, vegetables, salads, breads, and desserts — all made from scratch.

Receptions are based on a per-person price for food, beverage by the drink or bottle, and any special services requested, with a minimum of 50 guests. A Basic Reception includes skirted service tables with serving equipment, china or glass plates, forks, napkins, and tables and chairs for guests. The catering team works with each couple to build a menu that fits their taste and budget.

Rehearsal Dinners and Showers

The Dinner House also hosts rehearsal dinners, engagement parties, and bridal showers. Smaller rooms are ideal for intimate rehearsal dinners, while the larger spaces accommodate full wedding parties. Because the same kitchen handles all events, the food is consistent whether you are hosting 20 guests for a rehearsal dinner or 450 for a reception.

How to Book a Wedding

To start planning a wedding at Claudia Sanders Dinner House, call (502) 633-5600 or use the contact form on the website. The staff will discuss available dates, room options, guest count, and menu ideas. Touring the venue in person is recommended so couples can see the rooms, the courtyard garden, and the catering setup.