Party - do I have to feed people?

[Dawevi]

I'm having a big party for an upcoming big birthday, hiring a venue and getting a band or DJ but that is quite expensive. I was looking at catering prices and realise that it will push the party into a price bracket that I'm really uncomfortable with. I was wondering if a party starts at 8:00 or 8: 30 do I really need to feed people?

If I was really clear on the invitations to eat before you come (I'm not sure how I would word this, suggestions are welcome please) then do you think people would be okay with that?

For previous big birthdays I have catered but things are different financially now.

Alternatively, I wondered about just providing bowls of nibbles on the tables.

What do you think? If you went to a party would you be cross if you had to you eat before you went?

Are there any bars local to you that would have a band on, you could reserve a section and pay for platters of food. . I wouldn't expect a full meal at s birthday bash would definitely expect something hot. Wedges wings cocktail sausage s etc

Oh I did go to another 40th surprise party where it was nibbles and a paid bar and it was still really fun. It was a private restaurant hire, with charcuterie board /crisps type thing. The reminder message with directions said;

“P.s there will be light bites but please eat a hearty meal before the celebration/drinking commences.

See you there!”

How about buying 4/5 bags of cocktail sausage rolls and cooking them, they’re not very expensive, a mixture of crisps and a few sandwiches?
you haven’t got to go OTT, just a few basic things

Me too! Unless you wanted to ask your guests to bring a dish and a bottle in lieu of a gift?

I didn’t provide food. I did provide lots of crisps, nuts and sweets.
Parties I’ve been to previously, the food left over was obscene. I made it clear on the invite that there was no food.
You don’t go on a night out and expect a platter of canapés to appear at 10.30pm. If they’re hungry they can get a kebab on the way home!

There would be hell up if there was a party without pasties down here 😂

As do I.

I would love to be invited to a party and if on the evening, I wouldn’t expect drinks or food. Maybe some snacks (crisps nuts etc) would be nice on tables but if you are providing venue and entertainment and make it clear it’s just bubbles then I would be happy. 😃

could you find a gig / event that you want to go to and invite people to that? Dance the night away without any of the stress?!

Just nibbles I meant 🤣

I would skip the professional catering and just do a food table with some cold bits and pieces. You could even hire a local teenager to help for the evening with the set up/take down so you don't have to deal with the leftovers and clearing up.

Could you also ask people to bring a couple of nibbles each? Like crisps, vegetable crisps, nuts (if no allergies from guests), pretzels, Doritos, grapes, cookies, biscuits, cakes, crackers, olives, pastries, etc? It's probably less than £5 per person at most and you can easily have enough for nibbling throughout. Even if you provide some yourself, there will be plenty to add and share. I think as long as there's something, it's enough for munching and not get too hammered. Or people to bring one nibble of their choice and couples to bring a bottle of wine/case of beer. Still around £5 each and will reduce your budget significantly.

You need to provide food otherwise people will think you're a tight wad.
Keep it simple if you can do it yourself you'll save fortune.

If you can’t afford a big party don’t have a big party. Can you rent a hall cheaply and have people bring something potluck style? I grew up in the States my mom has a large Catholic family. People had big anniversaries & milestone birthday parties at church halls. And honestly, those parties as a kid were far more fun than destination weddings etc as an adult where everyone’s uptight for no reason. (Well maybe uptight about the cost).

Yes you need to provide food. Look at Morrisons sandwich platters, snack and buffet platters too. All reasonably priced and can collect in advance. You don't have to go mad.

Loads of pubs/restaurants have function/private rooms that are available and free, providing that you make it worth their while with numbers. They also will lay on relatively inexpensive bar food. I would have thought that even with a band or DJ, you could still get some food provided well within your budget. I've been to loads of parties like that and the food was fairly basic, but ticked the boxes (bowls of chips, small open sandwiches, nachos, inexpensive cheese board, mini burgers). Places won't always advertise what they can offer. Have you asked on local forums for recommendations?

I was going to suggest sandwiches as you can do it ahead of time and serve cold (it took me about half an hour to do egg salad and tofu salad sandwiches for 30 last winter). But the sausage rolls and samosas sound great.
-//

What food like that would you want to eat? Would this work:
Mini sausages
Chicken goujons
Nice bread
Cheese
Dips
Tortilla crisps
(And vegan versions)
Or I like the idea of seeing if a local Indian could do samosa, etc
—/
all of that is great. I’d add biscuits and a sweets tray. Just childhood favourite biscuits, but taken out of boxes onto a nice tray. Same with sweets.

I’m so glad you’re coming round to doing some inexpensive food. Another thought is to get parcels of chips pre ordered and have a guest go pick them up.

I’m having a party for a big birthday and didn’t want to spend a fortune on catering but equally wanted to provide food. I am going to go Costco and get some sandwich platters and cakes. Shouldn’t be hugely expensive but will provide plenty of food for people and I don’t have to cook anything myself. A lot of supermarkets such as Sainsbury’s also do food platters to order if you don’t have a Costco card.

https://www.tagvenue.com/

Try this place for venues. Most places are free if a minimum spend.

I have been to parties with a pizza van outside. They are freshly made. We paid for them. Not too expensive.

OP I completely disagree with the majority, I don't think you NEED food for a party that late as long as it's stated on the invite.

Personally I find party rubbish without some party food.It doesn’t need to be expensive.Sandwiches from Morrisons ready made to order or even do them yourself.
plus buffet party food it doesn’t need to be expensive,can family help cook also

You do you and you know your friends well enough to know if they will like your kind of party. I wouldn't mind, but would want to know in advance so I could have a meal before coming to your party 😊

We went to a party where we were asked to bring some snacks to share with your table. Some groups brought picnic food to share with their pals. We ate at home and took crusps to the party

Hosting food at a party is quite tricky now, with so nany people having dietary requirements

Shitty party food is what makes parties great sometimes. Everyone enjoys it. The cocktail sausages, crisps, sausage rolls.