Wedding Catering · Ruskin Cave, Dickson, Tennessee

Catering a cave takes a plan. Sandra has one.

Gourmet, made-from-scratch food and handcrafted wedding cakes for weddings at Ruskin Cave, about an hour from Nashville. One team for the food and the cake.
  • Serving Middle Tennessee since 1997
  • 1,000+ events catered
  • 4.8 on WeddingWire
  • Couples' Choice 2014 & 2019
Made from scratch

Even in a cave

Sandra has catered at The Ruskin and has prepped meals inside the cave. This is her at work.

Everything she serves is made from raw ingredients, with no jarred sauces and no premade shortcuts. That holds in a ballroom, and it holds in a cave.

What a cave changes

Four things Sandra plans for before your date

Ruskin Cave is a natural space, not a banquet hall. Here is what that means for the food, and how Sandra plans around it.

The van can't reach the cave

Food, equipment, and beverages move by cart from where the van parks. Sandra's service time starts when her team arrives, so she builds the carry-in into your timeline and your quote.

No water in the cave

Sandra's team brings the water it needs for food and beverage service. Restrooms are across the way from the cave, so let your guests know.

A cooler room

Caves stay cool, and it can be cold even in early fall. The lighting is set up for your event, not for cooking. Sandra plans her team's setup around whatever heating and lighting are in place.

One evening, two spots

Want appetizers in one area and dinner in the cave? Sandra builds that as one timeline. She has handled setups split across more than one location before.

The food Dishes Sandra makes from scratch

Every dish is made from raw ingredients. No jarred sauces, no premade shortcuts. Every item and price is on the menu before you ever talk to Sandra.
Heavy hors d'oeuvres buffet with hot and cold stations
Hors d'Oeuvres

Heavy Hors d'Oeuvres Buffet

Beef Bourguignon served in artisan bread bowls
Entrées

Beef Bourguignon Bread Bowls

Baked brie in pastry
Hors d'Oeuvres

Baked Brie in Pastry

Antipasto trays with cured meats, olives, and accompaniments
Hors d'Oeuvres

Antipasto Trays

Sandra's pork entrée
Entrées

Sandra's Pork

Sliders and BBQ bacon-wrapped chicken picks
Hors d'Oeuvres

Sliders & BBQ Chicken Picks

View the Full Menu

Wedding cakes The cake comes from the same kitchen

Sandra bakes wedding cakes and groom's cakes in-house, in buttercream made with real butter. Her popular flavors are vanilla with a lemon zest glaze and raspberry filling, amaretto with a semi-sweet chocolate and almond amaretto cream filling, and chocolate with a fudge filling. Naked, semi-naked, fondant, and themed groom's cakes all come out of the same kitchen as your dinner. Book the cake and the catering together, or either one on its own.
Tiered naked wedding cake with a drip finish, roses, and a couple topper
Wedding Cakes

Tiered Naked Wedding Cake

Naked lemon cake with strawberries and whipped cream
Wedding Cakes

Naked Lemon Cake with Strawberries

Semi-naked fruit-topped wedding cake with a dessert shot display
Wedding Cakes

Semi-Naked Cake with Dessert Shots

Wedding cake with edible flowers beside a duck hunting groom's cake
Groom's Cakes

Wedding Cake and Groom's Cake Pairing

Golf-themed groom's cake with tees and golf balls on a grass-green frosting
Groom's Cakes

Golf Groom's Cake

See Wedding Cakes and Pricing

Pricing The food price stays the same. The service level is yours to pick.

Every dish costs what it says on the menu. A minimum food order of $800 applies at every service level. Drop-off starts at 50 dinners, and any served option (buffet or tableside) starts at 80 dinners and beverages.

What changes is how it is served: drop-off, a buffet with plastic plates and glassware, a buffet with glass and china, or full tableside service. See the service levels and example prices on our main wedding page.

Ruskin Cave is about an hour from Nashville, so a delivery fee applies. It varies by location, and Sandra includes it in your quote.

Sandra does not do rentals. Tables, chairs, linens, plates, glassware, and silverware come from the venue or a rental company.

Ruskin Cave Reception with Couple Among Dining Tables
The venue

About The Ruskin

Ruskin Cave is part of The Ruskin, a gated 160-acre property along Yellow Creek in Dickson, Tennessee. According to the venue's own site, the property also includes a garden, waterfall settings, and the Ruskin College porch.

For capacity, what is included, and open dates, check with The Ruskin directly. Looking at more of Sandra's work? See wedding catering in Nashville.

Frequently asked questions Catering at Ruskin Cave

Does Sandra's Catering cater weddings at Ruskin Cave?
Yes. Sandra's Catering has catered at The Ruskin in Dickson, Tennessee, and Sandra's team has prepped and served meals inside Ruskin Cave. The venue is about an hour from Nashville.
Is there water at Ruskin Cave?
No. There is no water in the cave, so Sandra's team brings what it needs for food and beverage service. Restrooms are across the way from the cave.
Can the catering van pull up to the cave?
No. Everything is moved by cart from where the van parks, so Sandra builds the carry-in time into your timeline and quote.
Is Ruskin Cave cold?
It can be, even in early fall. Dress your guests for it, and ask the venue what heating and lighting come with your date. Sandra plans her team's setup around whatever is in place.
Can we have appetizers in one spot and dinner in the cave?
Yes. Sandra plans it as one timeline so each course is ready when your guests move. She has handled setups split across more than one location before.
Does the venue provide tables and chairs?
That is a question for the venue, since what is included can change. Sandra does not do rentals, so tables, chairs, linens, plates, glassware, and silverware come from the venue or a rental company.
Is there a delivery fee for Dickson?
Yes. Sandra charges a delivery fee on every event, and the amount depends on location. Dickson is about an hour from Nashville, which is the edge of her usual travel range, and the fee is in your quote up front.
How many guests do I need for catering at Ruskin Cave?
Weddings with service (buffet or tableside) start at 80 dinners and beverages. Drop-off starts at 50 dinners. A minimum food order of $800 applies.
Can I book the cake and the catering together?
Yes, or either one on its own. Sandra bakes wedding cakes and groom's cakes in-house. If you would rather use another bakery for the cake, that works too.
Does Sandra send the venue proof of insurance?
Yes. Sandra sends her Certificate of Insurance to the venue ahead of your date, when the venue needs it.
How does the free tasting work?
Tastings are free. Sandra prepares dishes you picked plus a few she thinks you will like. Your date is held when the half-down deposit arrives.

Planning a Ruskin Cave wedding? Tell us your date

Request a free quote. Tell Sandra your date, guest count, and service style, and she will send the menu with pricing and build an itemized quote for the cave. Want a wedding cake too? Say so and she will include it.

Or call Sandra directly: 615-662-1909  ·  info@sandrascatering.com

Request A Free Quote