To ask people to do a 1.5 mile journey for a post christening lunch?

[VeryLowTum]

I'm arranging a christening for my DC3. The church is in the middle of a large town. Around 35 guests will come, with some family who will travel for up to 2.5 hours (some staying overnight) and some local friends.

I have two older toddler DCs, and several local friends have toddlers, and some family have toddlers/young primary DCs.

Christening is 12:30pm so will be providing lunch after.

I can either hire a room in the town centre, will be a smallish room so enough space for people to eat a buffet but no space for kids to run around. Will cost about £850 all in for room hire plus their own catering (it's mostly pub function rooms available in centre so no catering choice or option to bring my own food).

Or, can hire more of a community hall with loads of space for kids to play/run around (could hire a bouncy castle or toys etc). Will cost about £150 plus catering plus toy/castle hire. But there are none in the centre. Nearest would be 1.5 mile walk. Or there is a bus from opposite the church but only every half hourly and we may not all fit in! I think this would be preferable for lots of reasons, especially enabling my older kids and other children to have a much nicer time/more relaxing for parents, but I'm not sure if it's unreasonable to expect people to get to the church and then drive/bus/walk a long way for the food? The centre is tricky for driving/parking so not sure hiring a bus would work.

AIBU to expect people to go to another venue so far out?

Another option would just be hosting at home - I live about 2 miles from the centre, with similar bus options. This would just be cost of catering plus drinks. Indoor space is fine, our garden is smallish but ok, we have loads of toys but not sure if hosting 35 people will be a nightmare for mess afterwards etc!

WWYD? What would you want as a guest?

How are people getting to the church? Would most not have their car with them and could then choose to walk or drive? I feel like I’m missing something!

OP you are definitely overthinking this but it shows you are concerned for your guests and a good host. It's not at all a far distance snd many churches aren't necessarily near other facilities so most people are well used to travelling after christenings and burials etc. my parents are attending a months mind mass tonight and going for a few drinks afterwards with family at a pub a distance away. Just check if there are any non driver older relatives who might be a bit stranded or unfamiliar with the area and I reckon everyone else will be fine. And it will be lovely to have no cleaning up or anything afterwards.

I would just host it at home. Save the fee for the hall and put that toward more champagne and canapes, or toward a cleaner to assist you the day before the event.

I don't think the mess would be that great if you prepare with bin bags at the ready. Maybe use disposable plates, etc. No doubt there will be a few helpful people toward the end who will assist you in gathering up the trash and putting away any leftovers.

I agree with @whynotwhatknot.

Not wanting to put a dampener on things but you may not be allowed a Bouncy Castle in a hall without providing your own Event Insurance (on top of the company's Public Liability Insurance). I have links to insurance and most companies now refuse to cover venues for bouncy castles.

I'd be totally fine with that, presumably mostly family or close friends. And you could pay for anyone who had to get a taxi as you're saving so much.

I've had a bouncy castle in our village hall 3 times, and been to lots of parties in that village hall and the other church hall in the village with them. Never been an issue with insurance.

Book the larger venue, it’ll be a much nicer party. Make it really clear to the guests how far it is from the church, and provide details of the bus and taxi numbers. You could even ask anyone planning on taking a taxi to let you know by a certain date in advance and book a minibus.

It’s fine but I think the walk/ bus idea is confusing the issue. Everyone with a car would drive. Just make sure to cater for those without a car and help them with lifts.