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Original poster

Evening only party

10 replies

imadeitnice · 04/02/2023 03:09

DP and I have decided to get married in Cyprus. His parents are Cypriot and after living in the UK for 30+ years they have retired back in Cyprus.
We aren't inviting anyone from the UK officially, more a case of saying that this is what we are doing and if you happened to fancy a holiday there, you're more than welcome to come. I suspect nobody will and don't expect anybody to. Which is fine. It was either Cyprus or a registry office with my late teens only in attendance.
However, we would like a party in the uk on our return. I just can't seem to find any venues that offer evening only bookings. Is it just a case of booking a venue that has event/party rooms and not specifying that it's a wedding party?

OP posts:
Anamechangeisnotjustforchristmas · 04/02/2023 03:19

What day of the week are you looking at?

Anywhere which is a popular ‘wedding venue’ will not accept evening only on weekend nights in the season. This is due to the fact it would be very difficult to fill the day time if they have to reset in the evening for another booking. Therefore they are losing potentially thousands in revenue for the ceremony fees, day time meal etc.

The best bet would be to look at venues that don’t normally advertise for weddings. Or choose a mid week or winter date.

HirplesWithHaggis · 04/02/2023 03:21

You don't need a wedding venue, just a party space. Local pub/hotel/restaurant depending on numbers? Don't mention the word "wedding", that will just triple the price! Grin

Anamechangeisnotjustforchristmas · 04/02/2023 03:22

Sorry should add, not specifically saying it’s for a wedding (or not) will make no difference. It’s more about what they would expect to get as a minimum spend for the day in question, regardless of the type of party.

Hope this helps and good luck with your planing! An intimate wedding in Cyprus sounds amazing!

TheTeenageYears · 04/02/2023 03:53

Don't mention the word wedding, it will automatically add £££ to all elements. You're having a party, focus on that.

Happyhappyday · 04/02/2023 03:56

We got married abroad and had an evening party in London. It wasn’t at a wedding venue, just a nice restaurant with a nice room for parties. It was great, I enjoyed it more than our actual wedding (don’t tell my parents!) and cost about 1/20th as much! We had about 70 people, I suspect if you’re planning 100+ you may find it harder to find venues that can take that many but you may be able to book out a restaurant or something.

Original poster
imadeitnice · 04/02/2023 16:22

Anamechangeisnotjustforchristmas · 04/02/2023 03:19

What day of the week are you looking at?

Anywhere which is a popular ‘wedding venue’ will not accept evening only on weekend nights in the season. This is due to the fact it would be very difficult to fill the day time if they have to reset in the evening for another booking. Therefore they are losing potentially thousands in revenue for the ceremony fees, day time meal etc.

The best bet would be to look at venues that don’t normally advertise for weddings. Or choose a mid week or winter date.

It would probably be a Saturday night, so I agree most places would probably not want to lose out by us just having an evening party.
It would be probably be the first or second Saturday of October.

OP posts:
londonmummy1966 · 04/02/2023 16:24

Try googling "function room" in your area to see what is available. It might also be worth speaking to a few event catering firms local to you as they are likely to know what spaces are available.

Original poster
imadeitnice · 04/02/2023 16:26

Anamechangeisnotjustforchristmas · 04/02/2023 03:22

Sorry should add, not specifically saying it’s for a wedding (or not) will make no difference. It’s more about what they would expect to get as a minimum spend for the day in question, regardless of the type of party.

Hope this helps and good luck with your planing! An intimate wedding in Cyprus sounds amazing!

Thank you, that's very helpful.
Yes, we did look into doing at home but I just can't justify paying uk prices when in reality we're not fussed on the whole big white wedding. It's the second time for me, first for DP so I think it makes sense to do it in Cyprus, very low key in the middle of a holiday and just a party once home.

OP posts:
Original poster
imadeitnice · 04/02/2023 16:27

TheTeenageYears · 04/02/2023 03:53

Don't mention the word wedding, it will automatically add £££ to all elements. You're having a party, focus on that.

Yes good idea, I need to be looking at party venues rather that wedding reception venues, that's where I've been going wrong I think.

OP posts:
FinallyHere · 04/02/2023 16:36

Our local pub has a private function room, often for free if you put enough money behind the bar for the first (few) rounds of drinks and can provide a range of food offerings. Hope you find something like that, dates in October may still be available

Have a lovely time.

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