Hen party help

wendy_ann1983

Hi, my sister is getting married in September and has asked me to organise her hen parties. The first is almost sorted, the standard raucous drunken night with friends and strippers. It's the second I'm struggling with.

She wants a nice family friendly tea/dinner type thing with all the girls in the family, aged from about 4-84. There could be about 30 of us, I'm really struggling for ideas as it's got to be on quite a tight budget, I don't want to ask for more than £30per adult with maybe £10 per child and that's pushing it.

Most of the family live in North West London, taking the tube into town is out due to the elderly members of the group but could travel by car a bit further north, South Hertfordshire- elstree/borehamwood/radlett/Potters bar/hatfield sort of areas. But that means we need somewhere with parking space.

Does anyone have any ideas, know of any nice restaurants/pubs with private dining areas we could take over for a few hours, or nice cosy function room type places. She wants it in august and I need to let people know the costs ASAP so really need to find somewhere soon o they can budget for it.

Thanks in advance for any ideas, I'm sure this whole thing is turning me grey at 30!!!!

Flugelhorn

In view of the age range, would an afternoon tea be better? Maybe hire somewhere and have caterers?

wendy_ann1983

I've been thinking about that, but not only does my sister hate tea, (she would have a tea party if I found donee here nice enough though) if I find an affordable tea room, there's not enough parking. I've looked at small halls but that leaves no money for catering.

theoretica

If she wants 4 year olds there an afternoon even sounds lovely - you don't need to drink tea at a tea party!

I had a rather nice overnight at Fanham's Hall near Ware (last minute bargain rates) and it looked to have plenty of parking.

Mrs_Imp

Why not hire a church hall/village hall/Scout hut etc and do a bring and share lunch?

Our guide hut is about £30/hour. So that would leave plenty for catering. I can't imagine church halls/village halls would be that much more expensive.

paulineb_2

Have it in someone's home if you can.

FatVonD

I can't remember the name of it now but many, many years ago I did a shoot at a hotel in Ware that had a small outdoor pool and they served us afternoon tea around the pool. Would something like that work?

BitterAndTwisted

Afternoon tea at the Hendon Hall Hotel, NW4 1HF £17.50 per person

It's a mansion house with plenty of off-street parking and function-rooms for those able to afford it. And for non tea-drinkers I would have thought that it's perfectly reasonable to request alternatives off-menu if you asked nicely.

If in doubt ring them up and ask.

poet123

The Red Lion at Radlett is nice. It has parking, and a station. They have a room they use for breakfast guests which they would probably allow you to have sole use of in the afternoon.

wendy_ann1983

Thank you all for the ideas, unfortunately no one has a house big enough to accommodate 30 or that would be prime choice. I'd forgotten about the red lion, it does have a lovely back room, may pop in and have a word. Will check scout/guide halls, didn't realise they were that cheap! Thanks x

Counting_Pennies_2

I would suggest calling your local stately homes/hotels and asking them what they charge for afternoon tea. Ask about parking, public transport and accommodation.


Then go and visit a few that fit your criteria


Ask about champagne options for afternoon tea.


Last year I went to a lovely afternoon tea hen party. It was lovely. We hired out a side room to a hotel which had one huge table we all sat around in a circle.


We all gave her presents and wrote out our favourite recipe that we made into a brides cook book.


Civilised it was, fun it was too, and equally suitable for young and old.