How did you find the venue for your LO's birthday party? How much was it??
This is my biggest hindrance with planning LO's party. I want to get the ball rolling on booking a photographer (since they book quickly) but feel that I need a definite venue first. I don't want to pay more than about $200 for 4ish hours, but I want a place with great lighting.
We can't have it outdoors since LO's birthday is in February.
I don't even know where to look!
Where did you have parties?
GOLD / wonderful grape / 20289 posts
@Coco Bee: what kind of venue are you looking for? Restaurant? How many guests?
blogger / wonderful cherry / 21616 posts
@artbee: I'm not sure what I'm looking for. The guests would depend on where I decide to have it, but I'm thinking 50+. We have a really large family and lots of friends.
pomelo / 5789 posts
Depends how much DIY type stuff you are up for.
I would look into renting a church hall, moose lodge, community center etc..... But if you do that you would need to bring your own food drink decor etc.
The other obvious option is restaurants. That would be out of my budget though...
blogger / wonderful cherry / 21616 posts
@travelingbrit: I would want to do my own decor and food. There are a lot of dietary restrictions in my family (gluten and sugar free) that would be too much of a hassle for a caterer to accommodate. That is my hesitation with having it at a restaurant.
pomelo / 5789 posts
Then I would totally look at those kinds of places. There are tons around here.
blogger / pineapple / 12381 posts
1st year at home, 2nd year at friends house with a street food catering truck and I think we're going to do the zoo next year!
cantaloupe / 6751 posts
I'm trying to think of a venue for LO's 1st bday party, too! Her bday is also in Feb so anything outdoors is out. I was thinking about our church, but I'm not sure if I'm up to the challenge of decorating the space! I will most likely go with a restaurant, maybe buffet style.
We have lots of cute cupcake bakeries around here that rent out party rooms. You might want to consider something like that?
clementine / 990 posts
We're going to book a nearby community centre, where we got married. I don't want to have 3 parties for a 1 year old (my family, his family, friends). Our issues are space issues. Just immediate family is like 15 adults and 4 kids! And then if we want to invite any of our friends . . . so space is our issue. And I don't like restaurant parties, especially for kids.
blogger / wonderful cherry / 21616 posts
@MungBean: our babies share a birthday month!! what day? DS's is the 22 
I definitely don't know of any cupcake bakeries but that sounds like a cute idea!!
I emailed members of my local MOPS group and some had some great suggestions. I'll be calling some places this week to find out about rates and such. I'm so excited! I LOVE planning parties and events
persimmon / 1472 posts
DD's birthday is in February too (2/2!) and I was actually stumped on where to hold her birthday party as well. We live in NYC and don't want to spend too much but friends and family would total to over 60 people. I would have loved a park birthday but will have to look into renting a community center or something. Do you have any nearby? That would give you flexibility with decorations and food. =)
GOLD / papaya / 10206 posts
@Coco Bee: Um, I hate to be the one to tell you this, but you're not allowed to start talking about Cobi's first birthday party because that make me think about Evelyn's first birthday party being close behind and I don't want to think about her turning one any time soon!!!!!!
blogger / wonderful cherry / 21616 posts
@littleveesmommy: yeah we do but many of them are really dark or ugly. But it is an option if I can't find anything else.
@prettylizy: hahaha awww!!! I'm so sorry!!! I know. I hate the thought of him turning 1 as well. I don't want it to happen. I'm in denial.
GOLD / papaya / 10206 posts
@Coco Bee: I'm totally in denial!!!! I have to go back to work when she turns 1 and its KILLING me.... we're daycare hunting this week. GAH!
blogger / wonderful cherry / 21616 posts
@TurtleDoves: nope. Only my parents are in the area and their house is really small.
blogger / wonderful cherry / 21616 posts
@TurtleDoves: yeah it's unfortunate.. I have no well-off relatives bahaha!! 
that's okay. I am going to be calling a few places tomorrow.
pineapple / 12526 posts
We're going to use our house, I think. But I agree with maybe a community center, VFW hall, etc. That will be your cheapest and most reliable option. I know we have some really ugly ones, but there are also some cuter ones.
DH is getting deployed ASAP after C's birthday, so we're planning one party in England before he leaves and one in St. Louis for our family. Try planning a 1st birthday from halfway across the globe. 
It's annoying.
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