Planning an event but want to keep your costs low? Alternative options to consider include self catering venues that allow for non-traditional catering (like food trucks), sponsored catering or DIY catering. It's worth remembering that town halls, libraries or other local community organisations are often much cheaper than a banquet hall, hotel or conference centre, and are ideal for self-catered events. Here at Tagvenue, we showcase a variety of alternative hire spaces, so it's easy to find a self-catering venue for your next celebration.
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Self catering at your event is not just about cutting expenses. It gives you freedom of choice and it’s a brilliant creative opportunity as well. Tagvenue comes in handy when searching for the perfect self-catering venue in London. Book with us and see how quick and easy it can be!
Self Catering venues require a bit more planning than your run-of-the-mill party or banquet spot. These venues are a great way to keep costs low as you are able to handle all the catering in any way you wish. So whether you want to prepare the food yourself or hire a caterer you have the opportunity to create an event that is truly DIY.. When planning an event at this type of venue, always keep in mind:
Preparation – Whether you or your vendor will be preparing the food, always make sure that you have all the supplies that you need. The food may need to be brought to the venue, or you may be able to cook on site. Whichever the option, make sure you have all the supplies you need, e.g. aluminium trays or sternos. These allow for an easy buffet set up, where people can choose what they want and how much of it. These also make cleaning up an absolute breeze.
Serving – Using recyclable plates and utensils will also add to the ease and affordability of your self catering event. These are an easy way to save money and are also a more environmentally friendly option than plastic plates and cutlery. These are also significantly easier to transport.
If you have a more elegant party in mind, there is also an option to rent conventional glass plates and metal cutlery. Depending on the size of your party, you could also bring your own, which will help reduce costs as well. The biggest issue with these methods is the transportation aspect. Glass plates and metal silverware are significantly heavier than their paper counterparts, but also produce much less waste.
Dry Hire vs Wet Hire – Self catering venues are an excellent choice for affordable weddings and birthday parties. Utilising a dry hire venue is a sure way to keep costs down and also ensure that everything is set up just as you like it. Here you will have the freedom to orient the room and adorn it with the decor of your choosing. There are plenty of low cost party rental companies in London that will give you high quality rentals and also help with transportation.
Wet Hire venues are the most convenient in terms of having to transport furniture or worry about the set up of your party as much. These are great for weddings and parties where you expect a larger turnout, as you will only have to worry about managing your own food and beverages. Having a venue take care of the table arrangements for your party will allow you to focus your energy on planning a delicious menu for your guests!
Bars – No party is complete without a bar. You don’t need an elaborate bar with a bartender and every soft drink, beer, wine, and liquor under the sun, or even a traditional bar for that matter. If you’re planning a party on a budget, you can set up a self-service bar on a table where guests can prepare their own drinks. All you will need are some coolers for the beer and sodas, ice, and cups and your guests will be able to get whatever they need when they need it.
Self-catering venue hire tips:
See if the venue has a special space for preparing food – Like a kitchen or a kitchenette. Such facilities allow you to prepare tasty, fresh nibbles and serve them right away.
Plan the menu carefully – Keep in mind that some of your guests may have special dietary requirements (gluten free, halal, vegetarian). Because of that, having a variety of entrees, main dishes and snacks is the key to a successful self-catered party.
Use seasonal produce – Think Eton mess with summer berries in June and spicy pumpkin soup in autumn. It’s not only cheaper, but much more delicious!
Manage your time wisely – If you’re thinking about a self-catered wedding, remember that it can be really time consuming. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box when it comes to your menu. You can use food trucks as well as DIY food stations and dessert bars. After all, there are many different self-catering options for your big day.
The most popular self-catering venues in London include community centres, halls, and warehouses. You can also take a look at our dry hire venues, many of which are happy for you to organise your own catering. Hiring a venue that allows outside catering is one of the best ways to organising affordable wedding or party event.
Planning a party at a self catering venue does not need to be a stressful endeavour. Enjoy exploring your creativity and bringing a personal touch to your event as you plan a menu that you love. The savings are a big plus as well. Fortunately for you, Tagvenue is an excellent resource for finding the perfect venue for your party. Browse through our selection of amazing venues and book with us today!
This largely depends on the type of venue you hire, such as dry hire vs. wet hire venues. Some venues will have a kitchen or kitchenette food preparation or simply offer a catering or warming kitchen for you to heat up food. You should always make sure that you have the catering supplies on hand to serve your guests.
The biggest advantage of self catering venues is the money that you can save by providing your own food and drinks. There is more work involved, of course, but you also have the enjoyment of creating a more personalised event. This is especially good for more creative types and those who love to get stuck into a project. It can also be enormously helpful for people who need to prepare a menu that takes into account allergies or intolerances.
Of course! This is always a viable option as there are plenty of ways to cater a party in London in non-conventional ways. A crowd favourite are food trucks, which are perfect for summertime parties and even wedding receptions.
Some of our favourites are:
bbodance – This is a sleek, modern studio space with enough space for 30 guests offers a very reasonable hire fee. This is a perfect place for smaller, casual parties.
Sizona – This space embodies feng shui and features minimalist design cues. This is a great venue for more relaxed parties.
Eastside Shoreditch – This is a classic studio space. You can set this venue up however you like, making it perfect for a great DIY party, conference, or art show.