Lunch buffet anyone got any cheap ideas

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Hi there Im getting married this August in our town reg office, only our families can fit so we've been offered by DP's parents, a buffet lunch for both sides of family to get to know each other in walking distance from reg office then later on.
The lady at our local hotel has emailed that a buffet lunch would be £12.50 per head, so £375 in total and the room hire is £200 for the hour And wants 200 deposit! I am flabbergasted by this cost! I would be happier to just have a glass of wine and a sandwitch and sit in the general pub area even though Dp's parents have offered to pay I think this is extortionate for a simple buffet and thats without drinks! Any advise?

Finda village hall or church hall to hire out and then do a DIY buffet lunch by ordering food from M&S catering or waitrose catering?

We catered ourselves for my first wedding at home, big tent in the garden (not a posh marquee ) and lots of buffet type food - can't remember the exact details as it was over 30 years ago.

Agree with Over find a local church hall, rope in a couple of students to help and do a DIY feast. Enjoy .

Or book into a nice restaurant because you will get exclusive use if you have a certain number of guests in lieu of a room hire charge.

Or hire a community hall/ cricket club and self cater by getting caterers in or DIY. Just sign upto costco and buy catering packs of buffet food & drinks, much cheaper than waitrose.

warehouses.costco.co.uk/membership/

is there a pub that has a room you could use? They are sometimes free to hire as they make momey on the bar. Agree with Costco for buffet or M&S
£12.50 a head is a lot for a buffet. Don't tell hotel/pub it is a wedding - just a party - or they up the price immediately

Just pass the info to DP's parents-they're paying so their decision.

PS, why do you think a deposit is unreasonable? It's set off against the final price and the hotel need some security to keep tthe facility for you.

Pub room a really good idea but be picky.

Or hire a community centre/village hall. Some are really depressing. Some are gorgeous. Not as cheap as they used to be but still good. Get some more quotes from caterers.

Bring and share lunch? Can be really nice, IMO it will always be nicer than caterers, although probably shouldn't ask for presents too. You give a rough idea what to bring (starter, salad, main course, pudding), there is always shedloads, perhaps you provide drinks and some backup bread or something.

If you're having lunch, most people will be driving so make sure there's plenty of nice soft drink options - we had a sparkling elderflower thing for toasts as well as lemonade, Coke, juices etc.