But if you’re Bill Hansen, CEO and founder of Bill Hansen Luxury Catering & Events Production (www.BillHansenCatering.com), these preferences just come with the territory of being the “go-to guy” for brides, grooms and corporate event planners who really want something different. With that in mind, Hansen and his team have catered at more than 100 venues spanning Palm Beach, Broward, Miami/Dade, and Monroe counties.
None have been more popular than the rustic, farm-like settings in The Redlands, a quaint farming community in Southwest Miami/Dade County. Hansen’s venues in this area include the Walton House, Redland Farm Life, Estancia Culinaria, and Samsara. According to Hansen, bookings are booming.
Located just 20 miles southwest of downtown Miami, this area boasts farms, original clapboard homes of early settlers, and u-pick'em fields. Mango, avocado, guava, passion fruit, lychee, jackfruit, canistel, sapodilla, longan, mamey sapote, black sapote (chocolate pudding fruit), miracle fruit, jaboticaba, cecropia, and coffee beans are among the exotic produce grown in this area.
“These locations transport our clients back in time to the early 20th century,” said Hansen. “They want a sense of history and uniqueness when planning the big day. They also want a memorable event and this area certainly provides the ‘oh-wow’ factor.”
Hansen, who founded his company 35 years ago, is quick to point out that his venues aren’t for everyone.
“Our clients really want to push the envelope with locations, food and entertainment,” he said. “We’re not the company to help people plan a wedding at a country club or hotel. Our clients are adventurous and creative. They challenge us to be at our best and, likewise, we challenge them to be different. It makes for a great relationship.”
This is certainly the case with the venues in the Redlands.
Established as an avocado farm by Mr. Walton in 1917, his home is now the site for those seeking a unique venue and a glimpse of what South Florida was like a century ago.
The centerpiece of this estate is a charming, historic English-style cottage. From its soaring gabled roof to surrounding country English flower garden and the adjacent European-styled horse stable, brides, grooms, and guests experience the flavor and old world charm of England right here in South Florida. Among the features are a lush tropical setting with rare and exotic flora in a botanical garden. The Walton House boasts a coral rock swimming pool with cascading waterfall, elegant swans and Japanese koi. Macaws, parrots, flamingos, waterfowl, cranes, giant tortoises, and monkeys add to appeal. A large Indonesian-style Chickee hut overlooking the lagoon is the perfect site for a ceremony.
Samsara, an exclusive Bill Hansen Luxury Catering venue, is a spectacular Indonesian-inspired garden paradise featuring waterfalls, koi ponds, and lush foliage. Intimate and private sitting areas, paths meandering through tropical landscaping, and numerous open-air covered structures. It provides all of the elements for a one-of-a-kind event.
“Samsara literally takes your breath away,” said Hansen. “In my 35 years in this business, I thought I had seen everything regarding unique locations. But Samsara proved me wrong. There is no other place like this in South Florida. Period.
With the addition of Estancia Culinaria, a 10-acre organic avocado farm in Homestead, Hansen now provides brides and grooms with a country setting that comes as a surprise to those first-time visitors.
Estancia Culinaria boasts almost 1,000 majestic trees, horse paddocks, a coral rock chapel, and meandering walking paths.
“This is a Florida that most people don’t see,” added Hansen. “It’s no surprise that we have reservations at these locations well into next year. Our clients see the value of having a true experience at their wedding or other special events.”
Hansen points out that the possibilities for weddings and other events are limitless at these unique, quaint venues.
“Brides have arrived in horse-drawn carriages,” he said. “And visitors frequently stroll the grounds during receptions. Rustic cabins and barns are spread throughout the property, providing an unmatched romantic ambiance.”
Based out of Villa Woodbine, a historic mansion in Coconut Grove, Hansen and his team of executive chefs and event producers consistently deliver on their promise of creating “one-of-a-kind” memorable experiences that eliminate the stress during the event planning phase or on the day of the event.
In addition to Villa Woodbine, Hansen offers other venues including Vizcaya, the Kampong, Fairchild Tropical Garden, Park Place, Palm Court, The Alfred I DuPont Building, The Moore Building, The Cruz Building, Samsara, Estancia Culinaria, The Charles Deering Estate, 1111 Lincoln Road, The Gallery of Amazing Things, The Versace Mansion, The Temple House the Rubell Family Collection, The Ice Palace, The Walton House, The Ancient Spanish Monastery, and The Bonnet House, to name a few.  He caters at more than 100 venues throughout South Florida.
There is no detail too small for Hansen and his staff.
“We offer all types of cuisine with a catering staff that rivals any 5-star restaurant in the area,” said Hansen. “Our chefs provide all types of ethnic cuisines and Kosher menus, to name a few. There isn’t a menu we cannot provide to our clients.”

About Bill Hansen Luxury Catering & Events Production
Bill Hansen founded Bill Hansen Luxury Catering and Event Production in 1980, under the name Bills’ Catering.  Working out of The Miami Club, downtown Miami’s premier city club, he took Miami by storm and became a major player in the upscale catering arena. In 1983, he discovered Villa Woodbine, a historic mansion in Coconut Grove, which, today, is one of Miami’s most sought-after weddings venues.
For the past 35 years, Bill Hansen Luxury Catering and Event Production has paired with South Florida’s finest venues and vendors to cater and produce luxury events for hundreds of Fortune 500 firms, thousands of bridal couples and the who's who of the celebrity world, offering its clients a wide variety of unique venues, along with innovative catering, event planning, décor, and flawless execution.
In addition to Villa Woodbine, Hansen offers other exclusive venues including Samsara, Largo a private sanctuary and Park Place. Bill Hansen Luxury Catering and Event Production was recently voted “Caterer of the Year” in 2015 by Bizbash readers and colleagues. The firm was also named the “2016 Business of the Year" by the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce.