Christening 'after party' for possibly 67 adults and 25 kids - where to have it and what to do?

[LadyOfWaffle]

Even though it's early days, I have started to think about the Christening and listed everyone who will be invited, and it was 67 adults and 25 children (some babies) if they all come, but it hasn't added in if some bring partners (I have added most partners though) or friends, or exchange students (like last time!) or anything else. Last time we had it in my mums garden but there was max. of about 20/25 of us and although we have the room if we spread round the garden and house, my mum is being a real bad snob about it so I don't think I want it there again. My house is out of the question as it's tiny tiny tiny and no garden so am not sure whether to go down the 'hire a hall' route... how much would hall hire be? Would I need a kids entertainer? Music? Bar?

Hi LadyofWaffle. I'd suggest hiring a hall. You need to ring round to see what it costs where you are. £20 - £80 where we live. If you don't know where to start, scout huts/church halls/rugby or football clubs/community centres etc tend to hire out. If you're willing to say where you live, then other MNetters might have ideas. Depending on your budget, you might want somewhere with a bar and license already so guests can buy their own drinks (so sports clubs probably good) Or if you are planning on providing booze, you can take it anywhere as long as you are not selling it (I think, but that's just what I have always thought) I think it would be worth having an entertainer for the children. IMO it keeps the older guests amused too!
If you are doing your own catering, there are lots of threads on this already (try searching on "buffet")or come back and ask for ideas.

Thanks, just been talking to DH - he thinks a hall also. I shall try the searches for buffet etc, thanks again

A hall is a great idea. Lots of our church family (Anglican) hire out the local Catholic church hall. It is very nice, and licensed, and just the right size for parties that are too big for houses.

Neighbourhood pubs often have function rooms, and they may offer a catering service too.

If most of your guests are local, you can operate an 'open house', which means that they won't all arrive at once or stay for the duration.

you are mad to have that many

have godparents and parents bacck for lunch

I did coffee & cake for DD's Christening

I wrote it on the invite & it was mid-afternoon so it worked well

In the church hall

It was great - a nice warm day - the children played outside & it was great

Maybe a bit mad but I don't really mind. We just don't have 100s and 100s to spend on it, but hopefully a hall won't be too much. Last time it was less people, but alot of work as it got a little formal - we had to hire plates, wine glasses - the lot! This time I think paper plates will do We have been thinking of having at MILs aswell, just having a simple BBQ, games in the garden for the kids and no worry about breaking my mum vases/wrecking her carpet etc. etc. Most are local, but a few will be coming from Leicester (?).

You could get a hall and do cream tea - scones, cake, tea and some small sandwiches rather than a full lunch.

For DS the Christening was about 10 or 11, so by the time we got back it was lunch time - I think everyone would keel over if I gave them tea and cake

we had 65 adults here for buffet after each of the christenings. (and about 20 children)

location was sorted.. think hall sounds great idea.

food..
we got our local butcher to do tray of ham, tray of chicken thighs & drumsticks
I bought baguettes from tesco as soon as they opened sunday morning before the 11am service.
I made a huge couscous with roasted peppers and red onion. Big pasta salad with sweetcorn and a Big potato salad.
I asked my Mum to make a couple of trifles, DH's mum to make a couple of pear tarts and I made a big stack of merangues to have with whipped cream and raspberries.

most people were driving so enough fizz for a toast, lots of tea and coffee and soft drinks. Didn't cost a fortune Butchers price was very reasonable, salads were a bargin. deserts were grandparents cost.

if you are on a budget scones cake and tea sounds like a great idea.

Hope you find the right location it was a real gamble having everyone here as we relied on being able to use the garden.

Glad I found this thread- was going to ask similar!! We are christening ds on 20th April. I would have considered just godparents and parents, but we had house/ garden party for dd1 and dd2, so if I have small do this time would feel guilty, and sure family would be huffy. I THINK there will be about 44 (gets bigger with each child) and about 14 kids, and I think to save cash I will do it myself- did last time, but it ended up being a bit frantic, as I was doing some hot food. So looking for loads of ideas for cold stuff I can pre-prepare- was thinking along the lines of what you suggested, JinglyJen. Can I ask how much you budgeted per head?

We hired the church hall and had a bouncy castle up one end for the kids which was great. They really needed to let off some steam after sitting still for ages in the church.