Venues Richmond/St Mary's/Teddington

[Slw88]

Just had first baby after ten years of trying, spending life savings and other eye watering amounts of money... Looking to throw a small Welcome to the World 'party' as was unable to see people last 4 months of pregnancy due to severe COVID. Would like recommendations of an inexpensive but nice venue please,SW London for a gathering of 30/40 people. Xx

The Greenwood Centre in Hampton Hill has a lovely big hall and is pretty reasonable. Used to go to dance classes there!

Hi OP - congratulations!

We had a very similar event - I was very unwell during my pregnancy with DD and almost died, so when she was baptised at 3 months in late 2019, we wanted to make it really special. We used The Wharf in Teddington which was lovely - the owner and staff were wonderful and it felt like a real occasion.

We could make the menu bespoke, we hired the upstairs from 10-3 on a Sunday (to follow the baptism service) and gave our guests coffee and pastries straight away and then lunch at 12.45 - a slightly unusual approach but for the occasion it worked wonderfully. If you get a sunshiny day, the view over the river is great. We had about 100 people there, so they did a buffet, but it would work for fewer with a sit-down meal. The food was delicious and there was absolutely loads. We had some little kids there too, and they set it out so we could have a corner with a colouring table / Duplo set / TV showing Disney films etc, so the kids had a lovely time too.

Three months later we were in lockdown and it was the last time that we were able to see some very special people who have since died so it remains a very happy memory for us all.