Me and h2b are going to view our venue tomorrow and hopefully book. We've found the perfect package for 80 guests totalling to £2000 although its a finger buffet which is:
A Selection of Finger Sandwiches
Sausage Rolls
Vegetable Spring Rolls (v)
Breaded Chicken Drumsticks
Fish Goujons with Tartare Sauce
Pizza Bites (v)
Per person. Anyways I was thinking if we ask them to maybe change it to a 2 course sitdown meal (starter and Main) instead of the buffet do you think they would? And do you think we would have to pay more on top to change it? We will ask them tomorrow anyways but was wandering what you'd think they might say/do xx

Yeah thats what I'm thinking.. I don't mind paying extra as h2b''s parents are paying.. I'm coming to the idea that people will prefer the sit down meal to a buffet and then ask for them to maybe put on some sandwiches in the evening which won't cost that much.. Its the thought that counts!! But I mentioned to h2b that instead of making aload of food like the buffet that will take time it might work out cheaper for them to do a normal meal.. Fingers crossed xx

holiday inns have a thing on at the moment £1995 for 40 day guest 3 course meal, 70 evening buffet,dj, ure room th enite b4 and of the weddin!!

its an extra £25 pp for day and i think £12 for nite buffet!

u also get buckz fizz arrival drink/ glass of wine wiv meal/sparklin wine for toast

The closest holiday inn to us is about an hour and half away and my cousin had hers their last yr so wouldn't go for the same venue.. And as we live in London our weddings when the olympics are happening :| Lol .. Trust us to pick then hehe xx

Really?? I see what they say tomorrow xx

I think you may have to pay an extra fee because you will need waiting staff for a sit down meal. But there's no harming in asking.

my mate dint give us any wine wiv meal just arrival dirnk and toast! and u cud ask for 2 course n use ure cake as dessert

Thats what we was gonna ask.. The meal instead of buffet - 2 course.. But no drink through meal. Just want to change the food!! I hope it aint that much expensive I was only thinking an extra £100 or £200 on top :| xx

Hmm ok... Alot more than what I expected hehe xx

Lol ok.. xx

Its got a website but not where we can price it ourselves.. Worked out the buffet comes to £25pp and for a 3 course its £65pp but different packages.. xx

Thanks.. Were going down their tomorrow so can discuss and hopefully get what we want xx

hun are you really attatched to your venue as you can get a lot more for your money hiring a local hall or some areas have nice old houses you can use your local council could tell you this and hire a caterer it would cost a lot less my venue hire is £288 my registrar£135 my bar £250 for welcome sparkling wine and any drink from the bar for the toast plus sparkling wine for cutting the cake a bottle of white wine a bottle of rose wine and a bottle of sparkling wine on each table our caterer is £1107 for a four course meal for 45 adults and 5 kids and an evening buffet for 80 the buffet is sandwiches and baps ,chicken and veg pakora with sauce, pizza,sausage rolls,quiche, mini savory pancakes and salads ect including dressing all the tables and the centrepeices and a 3 tier wedding cake they are also providing a master of ceremonies and are printing personalised menus for us our dj is 150 for the entire evening.comes to a grand total of £1930 all im saying is that if you look around hun you dont need to compromise its a lot more work but it gives you more for your money xxxxx

Wow sounds like you got a good deal.. But we really love the view and everything altogether think its stunning.. We've tried looking around etc but where we are thats the cheapest we are gonna get.. Guess our problem for living in london lol xx

im in scotland so i guess london is going to be way more exciting i suppose when it comes to it you either pay for the venue to be amazing but give in a bit on the food or you get the food but not the great veiw lol our view sucks so i guess you cant have everything eh xxxxx

I should imagine going from a finger buffet to sit down will be quite a jump and not all venues allow 2 courses but certainly worth a shot, no harm in asking!

Thank you Janet.. I have emailed the co-ordinater who seems really lovely met her the other week so hoping shes just as nice to compromise lol..

Agree Jilly no harm in asking :) xx

Exactly lol.. The only thing is I'm a tad shy hehe!! But I will ask otherwise it will big me. Thank you. Will let you know tomorrow xx

Lol.. H2b gets tongue tied especially when he phones things up lol. I'm ok just don't like asking hehe!! And might be going with his parents as they would like to see it xx

London is expensive... we halved our venue/food budget (and some other bits as welll) by moving it to Yorkshire. Olympics won't be helping either.

So happy..!! H2b just spoke to his mum and shes gonna have a word with his dad and if its only an extra grand they might be able to stretch to it :D Which means we would be able to have the sit down!! Fingers crossed both say yes :) Eeeekkk... xx

Thanks Janet.. I'm shocked their paying for the rest anyways but I thought she'll says thats a bit to much.. But if he agrees then we could well go for the sit down if the venue will do it :D Were getting a good deal anyways with the deal.. Red carpet entrance, reception drinks, cake stand knife and table, linen with some decorations (need to see what they are), a room and bottle of champagne with breakfast for us and a wedding planner and then obviously the meal oh and room hire up until 1am with 15 discounted rooms for guests!! Can't wait to book it tomorrow now xx

Yeah could do :) Thanks.. I'm looking forward to the brekkie hehe!! After the alcohol a nice fry up :) xx