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Original poster

friends with kids dilemma

14 replies

MissWooWoo · 17/01/2012 16:37

just starting to think about small low budget autumn wedding in London. A few very close friends with kids under 5 would be travelling 250 miles to come so I want to (a) make it worth their while (b) make it as inexpensive as poss on the accommodation front (c) keep partying on with them for as long as poss.

Can't afford a do in a hotel so the idea is to have a function room in local pub for a buffet and drinks etc from 3ish (no disco) and then move onto a hotel at around 8ish that we would be staying in so that anyone with kids could "take turns" to come down to the bar. Kids have to be out of function room by 9pm.

Dilemma is this - most of the hotels are booked up and those that aren't are either very expensive, only have one family room or are just too far out.

I'm set on London wedding as locally as poss as this is where I live and it feels "right" - also convenient for getting my dd off at a reasonable time with sis in law. My family are an hour away so can't offer to put people up there, could offer my small flat but that doesn't solve the issue of freinds with kids not being able to continue the celebrations with us - I really don't fancy continuing the party here as not keen on the flat and also it's my wedding! even if it is small and low budget I'd like in some way to make it special.

wwyd - are there any other solutions?

I mean, who wants to come all that way for a few sandwiches and a couple of glasses of champagne (we can't provide a free bar unfortunately) and then be sent packing at 9pm?

OP posts:
fivegomadindorset · 17/01/2012 16:39

YOu don't have to invite the children, just saying.

Blu · 17/01/2012 16:43

How many people?
Would renting a HUGE holiday house work out? Some (in the country) sleep 20 or more people. The you could have a sort of 'at home' wedding and they could all stay. And if it were v early autumn some could even camp in the garden.

CMOTDibbler · 17/01/2012 16:47

If you don't invite the children, then you have to be prepared to accept with good grace that some people will not be able to come. We certainly wouldn't as have no one to have ds overnight.

VeryDullNameChange · 17/01/2012 16:51

Rent a large apartment to share and a trusted babysitter or two?
Tricky but not impossible.

SpecialBranch · 17/01/2012 16:51

For 1 x small child I wouldn't have thought a "Family Room" would always be necessary. Certainly a travel cot could go in most reasonable double rooms.
That might extend your hotel choice.

Otherwise, at some point you are going to have to go with what works best for you and have a nice chat with your friends with children to see how (if at all) you can help them join you. If they can't, that will just be the breaks...

south345 · 17/01/2012 16:52

The holiday home idea sounds good then nobody would need to take turns as you'd all be in the house

Original poster
MissWooWoo · 17/01/2012 16:55

The children will have to come because of no sitters/age factor. Besides which I'd like them to be there.

I have looked into holiday house, imposs in london for that size. Doable in the country and I like the idea but really it wouldn't work out any cheaper - we would have to split the costs between all of us as we couldn't afford to shell out. Also this would probably mean doing our own catering/cooking and getting married somewhere else. Unfortunately we have to tie the knot at the end of peak season as this is when partner's parents will be here (they live right over the other side of the world) and they only come over once every few years.

OP posts:
nailak · 17/01/2012 17:04

Maybe a hall next to a hotel? What part of London?

Original poster
MissWooWoo · 17/01/2012 17:06

one set of friends have a 6yr old so he needs his own bed, the other set has a 3yr old and a 1yr old so travel cot would be fine but am sure they'd want a bed for their 3 yr old.

I suppose the thing is I just want the party to carry on and I want them to be there, but hey maybe I'll be too pissed by that point myself to carry on!

OP posts:
Original poster
MissWooWoo · 17/01/2012 17:08

ages of kids are what they will be when the wedding comes round.

SE London

OP posts:
Blu · 17/01/2012 19:56

What about this: The Scout Centre in Dulwich. I had a works do there once, and DS's b'day party. You can hire a field, for a marquee / BBQ, you can hire the hostel / bunk room, you could hire one of the indoor rooms with kitchen. People could sleep in the bunk room or tents. You would have to do catering, but you could do a BBQ (get mates to do it all) and bring drink at cost price from the supermarket.

Not v posh, though.

What ab out a local pub that has a function roo but also has accommodation, so that you don't need the two separate venues? browse this site

msbossy · 17/01/2012 20:02

An inflatable ready bed is fine for a 3 Yr old (or they'll sleep in with parents if they are like DD1 when away for the night). So you just need a room large enough to take travel cot and ready bed.

startail · 17/01/2012 22:08

Find a venue that doesn't need kids out by 9pm. Never come across that except in pub restaurant.
Come to think of it that was near London, funny placeWink

Original poster
MissWooWoo · 18/01/2012 12:18

thanks Blu that is so helpful Smile I shall investigate!

inflatable beds good idea too, thanks msbossy

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