The Space
The Flame Catering & Banquet Center is a welcoming, full-service wedding venue in New Bern, North Carolina, specializing in weddings, conferences, and special events with a genuine focus on exceptional food and outstanding service. Led by Chef “Smoke” Boyd, who acquired The Flame in 1990 with over 30 years of experience as an executive chef, the venue pairs a comfortable banquet space with standout in-house catering. With customizable menus and flexible serving styles, The Flame gives couples a warm, food-forward celebration. That combination of a dedicated banquet center, experienced culinary leadership, and a welcoming atmosphere makes The Flame a distinctive New Bern choice. For couples who want a warm, full-service wedding with a comfortable banquet space and standout cuisine in New Bern, The Flame Catering & Banquet Center is a memorable and welcoming choice.
Capacity & Layout
The Flame Banquet Center offers 4,500 square feet of space that can accommodate groups from 50 to 300 guests, giving couples a flexible setting for both intimate and larger celebrations. The comfortable banquet space can host the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception under one roof, giving the day a natural flow with a genuine indoor weather plan, and the venue’s generous six-hour reception rental gives couples an unhurried timeline. Beyond the banquet center, The Flame also provides full-service catering at local venues across the area, giving couples flexibility in where they celebrate. That welcoming, food-forward setting keeps guests comfortable throughout the day. That combination of a 4,500-square-foot banquet space, a 50-to-300 capacity, and full-service catering suits weddings from intimate to mid-size, keeping the celebration warm and connected from the ceremony through the last dance in New Bern.
Amenities
The Flame Catering & Banquet Center pairs its comfortable setting with genuinely standout, flexible cuisine. The venue offers a variety of customizable dishes, from lemon chicken and Tuscan-style lasagna to Asian seared salmon, with special accommodations for kosher, vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and allergy-friendly diets, and serving styles include buffet, plated, stations, family-style, or cocktail reception, so the dining is genuinely tailored to each celebration. That culinary strength, built on Chef Smoke Boyd’s decades of experience, is the heart of the venue and earns couples’ consistent praise. The comfortable banquet space gives photographers a warm, well-appointed setting for the celebration. For the entertainment, the enclosed banquet space gives a wedding DJ solid structure and controlled acoustics to build sound and lighting into, so the reception fills the room and the dance floor stays lively at a welcoming, food-forward New Bern venue.
Location & Getting There
The Flame Catering & Banquet Center sits at 2301 Neuse Boulevard in New Bern, North Carolina. That location is a genuine advantage for a wedding weekend, since guests coming from New Bern, Havelock, and the surrounding Craven County area have a short drive, and Coastal Carolina Regional Airport is convenient for anyone flying in, while downtown New Bern offers hotels, restaurants, and historic attractions for out-of-town guests. The location keeps everything convenient and easy to plan around. Yet the venue’s welcoming atmosphere and standout cuisine give the celebration a warm, hospitable feel once you arrive. That combination of a comfortable, food-forward banquet center with a convenient New Bern location is a big part of what draws couples to The Flame Catering & Banquet Center.
Why Couples Book Dow Oak Here
You only get one reception at this venue, so it should be run by a team that already knows how to make a room like it work:
- We have actually performed at this venue, so we plan for its sound, layout, and flow instead of guessing on your night
- One team for your DJ and MC, photo booth, and custom lighting, on a single plan and one contract
- Backup DJs scheduled and on call, with your full plan shared across our team
- An online planning portal plus a planning call before the day
- More than 3,000 five-star reviews on The Knot, WeddingWire, and Google
- Transparent pricing with no hidden fees, and just $400 reserves your date
Wedding DJ FAQ
Have you performed at this venue before?
Yes. Every venue in our directory is one we have actually worked, so we already know how to set up, light, and run the room for a wedding, from ceremony sound to the last dance.
How much is a wedding DJ?
Our wedding DJ packages start at $1,500, and just $400 reserves your date. Your final price depends on add-ons like a photo booth, uplighting, or ceremony sound.
Do you provide lighting and a photo booth too?
Yes. One team handles your DJ and MC, color-matched uplighting, and a modern photo booth on a single plan.
What happens if our DJ has an emergency?
We always have trained backup DJs scheduled and on call, with your full plan shared across our team, so someone can step in seamlessly.
How do we book you?
Check your date using the form on this page. We confirm availability, send your pricing, and a $400 deposit reserves your date.
Plan Your Wedding With One Team
Your Wedding, Handled
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Check Your Date Just $400 reserves your date.Check Your Date
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Fill out the form and a real member of our team reaches out, usually the same day. No call center, no pressure.
- Backup DJs & photo booths on call 24/7
- Just $400 reserves your date
- Free setup and teardown, every time
★★★★★ Rated 5.0 by 3,000+ couples and hosts
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