Just evening do

[relax2]

How much can we expect to pay (ish) for just an evening party ? Nice venue , buffet and disco, nothing fancy but not just a village hall either?

I think it's very difficult to say really. A big factor will be the number of guests as this will determine how much you need to spend on food. Also depends on what kind of venue you're thinking of? There will likely be a room hire charge, probably anything upwards of £50. Do you have to use their catering facilities, probably a lot dearer than if you can arrange for your buffet to be done yourself. Are you doing any decorations or flowers? A DJ round here will be a minimum of £150.

Depends on the type of venue and food. We're paying £660 for a council owned period hall with a bar (which includes staff to set up and clear up), £200 for the DJ and £4.50 a head for a buffet.

Depends on location and your definition of nice! Also cheaper not to mention wedding.

It’s not so much cost as availability that will be the problem if you want a popular ‘wedding type’ venue.

They won’t take a booking for evening only when they could sell to a full day on a summer Saturday.

I would suggest being a little flexible with the day of week or month, book last minute (well under 6 months) or perhaps don’t go with a place that does a lot of weddings normally.

Thanks all. I'm so torn with it all just don't have much money but want to get married ASAP however we couldn't not have some sort of "do" with friends and family

One of the best events I ever went it was-

Village hall
Hosts bought a couple of barrels of beer and some Prosecco, some red/white wine. Then a paid bar.
Food was a couple of big bits of ham and some breads, chutneys, pickles etc. Friends brought some salads
I’ve cream van turned up later
Play lists from peoples phones over a pa
Hall decorated by hosts and friends- Tina of fairy lights, glitter balls, bunting.

It was EPIC.

Choose a venue a bit smaller than you need. Nothing worse than a venue where your rattling around in!

It depends how many people!

Our local sports club has a nice function room, very modern with a lovely outdoor terrace and bar. Room hire was £200, dj another £200, buffet was a tenner a head, but we had to use their preferred caterers.

Catering will probably be your biggest cost...although there are places that will let you do your own catering if that's an option.

Thanks all. Gosh it's so hard. I don't even want a party really. I want a just us wedding and then maybe small meal after the event when we tell everyone but someone is always going to feel left out! Also cost is a factor because we don't have surplus cash.

We don't like our local reg office so that's not an option either.