Wedding Forum - A few questions

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The Big Day > Hen Nights: A few questions - help please!

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- CommentAuthorCrawf
I am helping out with the planning of my hen do as I am down to one bridesmaid (long story!!) and my maid of honour is pregnant and also planning her own wedding. So, in typical me fashion I have jumped in to take control... bridezilla.

Anyway, a few confusions and nightmares to overcome which I was hoping you could help with?

I had 20 guests going and we have hired a house to stay in for the weekend,
it is £115 each for three night accomodation, £20 for a "secret activity" my MOH has planned and we have asked £35 from everyone extra for food and drinks.
Unfortunately 2 people have dropped out (one is the ex-bridesmaid...:s) and so there is £200 to cover for them out of the kitty, that leaves only £400 to feed people for the whole weekend and get lots of alcohol.
I don't want to ask people to put even more money in as they have been asked to contribute more already for the surprise thing and it's not their fault the guests have dropped out.
so, first question...
1) Would you be annoyed if you had spent £170 for the full weekend on the premise you were paying for food and drinks BUT were asked, due to the circumstances, to come 'with a bottle' to contribute to the drinks cabinet?

I'm hoping if people bring a bottle of their favourite spirit, or a bottle of wine, maybe one of the £8 packs of ciders/beer then there will be a good lot of alcohol as a base.
We (MOH and I) will of course use the ktity money to buy more also.

Secondly.. food..
there are 8 meals for 18 people to cater for.. is £300 going to be enough for this do you think? If we are smart shoppers?

thirdly..
I don't want someone stuck in the kitchen cooking for everyone for hours for everyone, could anyone suggest easy meals or cheap ways to feed everyone - maybe take aways?
There is a BBQ there so could marinated meats and kebabs be made in advance? And how many days would they keep if they are chilled properly (not frozen incase they defrost when we drive there)

Sorry for all the questions.. thanks SO much for any help you can give me

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
- CommentAuthorInDreamland
Personally I do think it's a lot of money already for a hen. Depending on whether your guests are well off will determine if they'll be happy to contribute more or bring a bottle. This is the reason why I broke my Hen up into parts so people could choose to spend what they were able to and not feel pressured into spending more than they could afford.

Don't forget these people will likely spend money on the wedding day itself whether it's a present, accommodation or travel or a combination of all of that.

You know your friend's financial situations better than we would.

For cheap drinks buy in bulk and for food I'd say the same and maybe go to a cash and carry if you can or L!dl/@ld1 as the food is cheaper and not necessarily lesser quality. It's breakfast lunch and dinner that is needed. Maybe if you can get pizzas in one night but try to get foods that you can just bung in the oven. Bulk out with bread and potatoes which are cheap but fill people up.

xxx

Married the love of my life on Saturday 11th May 2013 xxx
Had our dream perfect honeymoon in Hawaii!
- CommentAuthorCrawf
thanks In Dreamland. I have found there is a wholesale meat place near me so I can buy meat in bulk and will do the cheaper supermarkets for veggies and extras!

I am so worried people will be annoyed or more of them drop out if they have to spend more but I can't afford to cover the £200 :(
- CommentAuthorInDreamland
Have you tried buying lots of food, the amount you'll need online at say @5d@ online to see how much it'd cost?

Married the love of my life on Saturday 11th May 2013 xxx
Had our dream perfect honeymoon in Hawaii!
- CommentAuthorCrawf
Ah thats a great idea InDreamland!
I will do that tonight :)

- CommentAuthorInDreamland
The value ranges are also a good bet. Rice is really cheap as is pasta! You can get bags of pasta for around 30p in the supermarkets if you get the value range and they're fine. Cheap tins of tomatoes, onions and garlic are cheap and throw in some dried herbs from a jar and you have a basic but tasty pasta and sauce. Then you just need some meat and veggies can be cheap if you buy carrots and cauliflower. Easy to prep and boil.

Buy fresh whole chickens, they go a long way!

Married the love of my life on Saturday 11th May 2013 xxx
Had our dream perfect honeymoon in Hawaii!