Hi,

I'm getting married in November 2013 but have a budget of under $10,000 for 110 guests. We cant afford to spent $$ on a fancy venue for the reception so are wondering if anyone knows a hall or has ideas for holding a reception around south Auckland? We want to cater the food ourselves. Have looked at hiring a Marquee but they seem expensive! Would like to hold our ceremony on a beach or possibly Waiuku forest.. Something around the Pukekohoe area would be fantastic but anything welcome....

Any ideas/suggestions would be much appreciated

Just a note of advice... when you are doing everything yourself... things all start to add up! And it's A LOT of work (stress?).

I looked at hiring a hall... but by the time you hire it for three days (day before for decorating, day of and day after for clearing up) it gets expensive. Often the halls don't come with tables/seats so you have to hire them. If you want to cater yourself, have they got the kitchen facilities? Or you could get catering in... but the cost is similar to all-inclusive venues anyway. And yes, you have to get a special liquor license (not usually too expensive though).

I have heard it from a few people who had hired venue, hired tables etc, and got catereres in... that in hindsight, they wished they'd gone with an all-inclusive venue 'cause it was about the same price, but sooooooooooooo much less hassle/stress/worry for them and for their family and friends.

You could try the Howick Club for a cheap all-inclusive but really nice venue (prices start at $39pp for buffet and $35pp for drink package). And it's close to Eastern Beach which would be a really nice place to get married. Although perhaps that's not the right area for you...

Good luck with your search

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