Hi, Have recently got engaged and am very excited. We don't have a lot of money and we're trying to find the cheapest way to hold a reception for our family and friends....we're doing our own buffet and decorating our selves but it's finding a venue that is proving difficult....the wedding is 2 years away but just doing some research.
Thanks Claire x
CommentAuthorMichelleC961
Congrats on your engagement-
What about a local social club or church hall etc, they often hire the room by the hour, just have to make sure they allow alcohol
Sure there's probably an official thread somewhere to add to and get ideas
CommentAuthorBecci93
What time of year are you getting married?
If you aren't too bothered try to get married out of season to get more for your money so that's October - March :) and consider whether you want a Saturday wedding or whether you'd be willing to consider a week day .. That will all help save ££&
CommentAuthorClaireE97
Yh we are planning a January wedding
CommentAuthorInDreamland
January and mid week will be good. Local community centres and church halls are probably your best bet. How many guests are you inviting? If you are doing a lot of DIY then you need to remember it's hard work so it may be easier to find a caterer who can do7a buffet for you. Alternatively certain supermarkets provide a buffet party food service so all the platters are prepared for you.
Married the love of my life on Saturday 11th May 2013 xxx
Had our dream perfect honeymoon in Hawaii!
We both have big families and with friends as well it's looking at 150 people
CommentAuthorInDreamland
That is a lot to cater for, definitely get catering in, my friend when she does a party for her kids christenings got 5@1n5bury5 party catering in. M&5 also cater for parties. Have a later ceremony so you only need to feed guests once, have a pay bar rather than provide drinks.
Married the love of my life on Saturday 11th May 2013 xxx
Had our dream perfect honeymoon in Hawaii!
CommentAuthorElinor Claire
I'd agree, look at church and community halls. Regarding alcohol, Methodist churches are a no go. I'm a Methodist myself, and the rule across the U.K. is that no alcohol is allowed on Methodist church premises, with the exception of one or two places that double as conference centres. It started because at one time Methodists were expected to be teetotal. Now very few Methodists are teetotal, but the decision was made a few years ago to keep the no alcohol rule as it means it is a safe place for recovering alcoholics who know there will be no temptation. It also means that we use non-alcoholic wine for communion, which means recovering alcoholics can safely receive. Anglican and Catholic churches will generally be fine with alcohol on the premises, but they won't necessarily have licences in which case you won't be able to sell it. If they don't have a licence you can take donations, and even have a suggested amount for a donation, but unless they have a licence it cannot be a fixed price. Evangelical churches are variable, but some of those will also not allow alcohol at all. Community halls will probably allow alcohol, but again you will need to check if they have a licence. They are more likely to, but if they don't again you can only ask for donations towards the cost, not a fixed price.
30th August 2014 was the best birthday ever.
It was the day that I became Mrs. Dixon.
CommentAuthorMichelleC961
That's really useful elinor to know about the alcohol and not having fixed prices but a donation instead
CommentAuthorInDreamland
Definitely interesting info. I never knew about the donation thing.
Married the love of my life on Saturday 11th May 2013 xxx
Had our dream perfect honeymoon in Hawaii!
CommentAuthorEmily17
Another way to do it Elinor is to sell a raffle ticket and each raffle ticket wins a prize of a choice of drink
Met in 2009
He proposed Jan 2014
Will become Mrs P 7th October 2017
CommentAuthorInDreamland
Married the love of my life on Saturday 11th May 2013 xxx
Had our dream perfect honeymoon in Hawaii!
