Unconventional, Budget Engagement Party For 100+ In The Uk?

[LittleSquidge]

So. . . he asked the question and I said yes!

Now we'd love to celebrate with everyone we know! We have people of mixed ages looking to come together, but we're saving for the dreaded mortgage. As we aren't planning to wed for a while, we'd love an engagement party which feels special and makes a fuss!

Ideally, we'd love a BBQ with a tea party and cocktails feel. However, yep, we're UK based and it's January!

We'd very much like to stay away from renting a local village hall, with a dodgy DJ and a buffet.

I've been looking for some inspiration, but it seems everyone either has a BBQ, meal or a party in a hall. Is there no alternative!? As we want everyone (100+) on a low budget, I just don't know if this can even happen.

This may not be possible, but go on, chuck a few suggestions out there!

[Buenchico]

Still hire the hall but get a hog roast set up, under a gazebo, just outside the door. Get a Caribbean or Asian caterer to provide additional food that's a bit out of the ordinary. Ditch the disco and get a decent live band (perhaps with some good old-fashioned rock & roll numbers in their repertoire, to liven things up); there are some great bands playing local pubs and clubs and they're often no dearer to book than a decent disco. If the hall doesn't have its own licensed bar, get an outside bar in. (Most pubs offering such a service don't charge any fee. They simply make their profit from the drinks they sell).

[Maydup]

Congratulations Little S - I'll get thinking but in the meantime those are some good ideas there from Chris.

[puzzled54]

Hire the hall and set it up for afternoon tea and cakes, and have some board games, skittles, whatever fun things that you like.
And congratulations!

[LittleSquidge]

Thank you for your responses. The hog roast idea is quite cool, as is the live band.

The more ideas at this point, the better!

[sherrardk]

Around here, you can hire the local soft play centre for the evening - do you have anything similar?

[BlackadderV]

Chris's idea sounds superb. However, a hog roast ( normally a summer thing), gazebo, ethnic caterers? We're not exactly talking low budget here.

[LittleSquidge]

The play area isn't appropriate as we're catering for a lot of older family. I'd want my Nan to have an amazing time too.

Yeah, Chris' idea sounds very good, but I agree the cost is a concern with that idea.

[LittleSquidge]

I sounded abrupt above without meaning to! I really am grateful for these suggestions.

[ummmm]

Why don't you put the party off for a few months and wait until the weather gets better?

[Maydup]

Ideas so far could include:

Give the party a colour theme to liven up the usual buffet in a hall with a disco and ask eveyone to wear the colour, and bring coloured food.

or, have a Black Magic party. That's a chocolate theme with a magician.

[Maydup]

Or how about a racing night?

http://www.exclusiveracenights.co.uk/?gclid=CJXQ2fqggMMCFcjLtAodNB8AEA

[Maydup]

Is there an unusual or historic building locally that you could hire? As its low season they might do a good deal.

[puzzled54]

Everybody loves afternoon tea and cakes!

[Retrochic]

Buenchico's idea sounds great but it may cost quite a bit. This is an idea -hire a local hall and have a 'Pot Luck' supper -everyone brings something along and if you want booze you bring your own.You may have to coordinate that, as you don't want 10 chili con carnes and no desserts but usually people have their 'specialties'. For music try the local college -put a notice up in the music dept - band needed, expenses and all you can eat -often young bands can't get the live gigs and it would be good practice. On the surface this may sound penny pinching but years ago I went to a Wedding like this and it was great fun, very relaxed and everyone really enjoyed themselves.

[TWR]

Silly but give it a try, whoever is invited, ask them to bring their own food / Drink, then there's a mixer, regards the Music, for a laugh a Karaoke.

[Retrochic]

gosh TWR wish I'd thought of that

[TWR]

Two great minds!

[Retrochic]

TWR ;-) xxx

[LittleSquidge]

Thanks, everyone!