Cheap venues in Hertfordshire?

claireyfairy83

Hi,

I'm new to the forum and as of last Wednesday, am engaged!

We'd like to get married within 2 years (we've been together 7 and a half already!) and I was wondering if anyone knew of or could recommend any nice venues in Hertfordshire?

Basically we're not too fussed about chair covers and an MC and all that stuff as we could probably do it ourselves. All we really need is a decent sized venue, somewhere licensed for weddings nearby or on site, maybe some accommodation and maybe catering (although a sit-down meal is not high on our list of priorities, a buffet is fine).

We're probably going to invite somewhere in the region of 80-120 guests as the bf has a big family and they might all turn up!

Our budget is under £5,000 (preferably well under!).

Thanks for any pointers.

daisiegg

Whereabouts in Herts are you? I'm in Hertfordshire and have to admit, everywhere I've looked has been very expensive, particularly for the amount of guests you're looking at and with a license and accommodation.

But check out these if you haven't already:

http://www.your-hertfordshirewedding.co.uk/wedding-venues.html

http://www.hertsweddingdirectory.co.uk/

daisiegg

Sorry so rude meant to also say congratulations on getting engaged!

daisiegg

Now I'm home from work I thought I'd do a bit of research for you!

This place http://www.meetinns.co.uk/weddings/packages-and-prices/ in Hitchin has packages starting at 14.95 per person which is pretty cheap!

Or this place http://www.fairwaytavern.co.uk/sidebar/weddings/ near Welwyn Garden City, all inclusive packages from 3000.

Or this http://www.hotelwatermill.co.uk/social_events.php?pid=12 in Hemel Hempstead

This http://www.hotelwatermill.co.uk/social_events.php?pid=12 near Roydon

...to get you started

JimmyTheWig

Have you looked at Hertford Castle to get married? Castle Hall is next door for a reception venue.
Disadvantage: You'll have to limit numbers to the service. I think the max was 40.
Advantage: It's a lovely venue, in lovely grounds and you can use your own caterers in Castle Hall so if you can do the food on the cheap you can have as many as you want to the breakfast.

We were in a similar situation to you. Had to compromise somewhere. The compromise we made was to cut down significantly on ceremony guests (had to exclude all my aunts/uncles/cousins and their children from the ceremony).
The wedding breakfast was a traditional sit-down affair with a top table, etc... just the food was takeaway pizza. [We used Perfect Pizza in Broxbourne.] Everyone thought it was great.

Also Castle Hall has a bar, which is convenient. They did a pretty reasonable drinks package to go with the meal.

claireyfairy83

Thank you both for the pointers. I live in Bishop's Stortford but would consider most places east of say Welwyn.

head2head83

I'd also pop to the Registry Office (the Tudor room in the Stortford office is lovely by the way - I think that only holds about 70 guests though - can't remember) and ask about venues - they usually have brochures. There are quite a few nice hotels around that probably do packages as well.

I've been to weddings at the Reed Rooms in Margaret Roding which is lovely and everything is all in one place, although tis rather expensive unfortunately.

Hope this helps and congratulations on your engagement!

daisiegg

claireyfairy83 wrote: »

Thank you both for the pointers. I live in Bishop's Stortford but would consider most places east of say Welwyn.

Ooh I grew up in Bishop's Stortford and am getting married in St. Joseph's Church

Not sure about cheap venues around there tbh....we only looked at a few - Manor of Groves in High Wych, Down Hall (that we went with!), and Parklands in Quendon - and they were all way more than the 5000 mark.

I know there's the Barn at Bury Lodge over in Stansted, I think that's a bit cheaper.

Or have you considered one of the airport hotels? I don't know how much they would be but I've been to a function (not a wedding) at the Airport Hilton and it was very nice.

Oh, if you're having a cake, check out Lisa at Cake Cuisine in Hatfield Heath - she is AMAZING and reasonably priced

Good luck finding somewhere!

daisiegg

Or start looking more over Harlow way for cheaper options possibly?

daisiegg

http://www.swallow-hotels.com/hotels/churchgate-hotel/features/wedding-venue.aspx

http://www.roundaboutharlow.co.uk/articles/33/1/Wedding-Venues

JimmyTheWig

I agree with daisiegg - if you're on the border then Essex is bound to be cheaper than Herts, isn't it?