Gala 2010

[Liverpoolbutch]

We've been banding a few ideas around as to what would be viable and affordable and we've come up with 2 suggestions:

1 We have a room in a bar in Manchester. There will be food but you pay for it on the night and pick it from the menu. There will be entertainment and a DJ. Ticket prices will be low to cover costs. It would be less formal.

2 We have a room in a hotel. There will be a buffet and a DJ and entertainment. Ticket prices will be quite a bit higher. It will be formal.

I'm open to either option. My only problem would be with option 2. We would have to find a hefty deposit with no guarantee of getting our money back... we'd be looking at a cost of around £1500. We are financially up shit creek and so couldn't afford to lose a penny on the event.

We're looking at April/May... baby events and work and weather have held things up quite a bit but I am prepared to organise something.

Thoughts?

[mcbutch]

I wont be able to make this one, but can you meet in the middle, go for the cheaper option, with formal dress?? I kinda look forward to getting together in all my feathery finery

but then, aint my business, just a thought

[Blen]

Well for me it would be option 2 all the way, to me the whole point of the event is to get together and don our finery, enjoy a nice meal and dance the night away. It wouldnt be the same without seeing everyone in their sunday bestest.

The only weekend we have booked thus far in May is the weekend of Maxi's birthday which covers the 14th to the 17th. Its been a long standing arrangement and tickets have been booked already for an event and we will be spending the weekend with some other BFT'ers so that may count them our too during that time period.

Soooooo with the above in mind i hope it can be any other weekend than that one.

Perhaps LB you should start asking for a deposit now with the expectation that people cough up say £30 per person by the first week in feb ( this gives time for end of month pay days).

This would give you a clear indication of folks commitment to the function at which point the decision of formal/ informal may be made for everyone.

IF people are as enthusiastic about having this event then they will gladly put their money where their mouth is

[Girliedyke]

Option 2

Money saving idea could be to ask all those talented bfters to give up a bit of thier time on the night to entertain all who attend (taiga springs to mind instantly here )

Although im sure there are more that can do stand up or like paul did at the last one .

We have a few comedians on here too they may want to get up and entertain us

Is there a DJ on here ? who would do the nights music for free ! or the cost of thier ticket maybe . (kassie35 is a dj )

Also maybe a couple or few could do some sort of small show to keep us amused

I agree with blen on the deposit from all those that wish to attend for option 2 .

Be a time limit for money to be in by too so you can get the function paid for in time .

And if they cant attend they loss the deposit as you would anywhere else.

GD

[relaxicab]

Option 2 for me as well and loving the ideas above from the ladies and the mcbutchy one.

[meme]

I like option one best...but two is also good

[Blen]

femmefatal did mention doing some dancing at the gala i am not sure what she is up to during that time period but i am sure that would be very entertaining

Originally Posted by Girliedyke

Option 2

Money saving idea could be to ask all those talented bfters to give up a bit of thier time on the night to entertain all who attend (taiga springs to mind instantly here )

Although im sure there are more that can do stand up or like paul did at the last one .

We have a few comedians on here too they may want to get up and entertain us

Is there a DJ on here ? who would do the nights music for free ! or the cost of thier ticket maybe . (kassie35 is a dj )

Also maybe a couple or few could do some sort of small show to keep us amused

I agree with blen on the deposit from all those that wish to attend for option 2 .

Be a time limit for money to be in by too so you can get the function paid for in time .

And if they cant attend they loss the deposit as you would anywhere else.

GD

[Liverpoolbutch]

OK, so the problem I have is how on earth am I going to raise the £700-800 deposit that will have to be paid in advance?
I don't know how many people will come and so can't work out how much the tickets will be... but the hotel will want paying the minute I book it. Then I've got the problem of who has paid what without knowing the final price of a ticket. What if only 10 people can pay a deposit before I book.. where will the rest of the deposit come from? See, we have the problem that crops up each year, loads and loads of people say they want to come... then they start dropping out.. or they're not coming if so and so is coming.. or they can't make that weekend.. or they can no longer afford it....

Plus

How can I guarantee that Tinsel and I won't lose a penny on it?

I just don't have that kind of money to put up. If only 25 people say they're coming, would you be OK paying £60 a ticket... the costs will be pretty much the same.

Option 2 is a potential disaster for Tinsel and I, it's a massive massive risk at a time in our lives where we are living below the breadline.

[geekboi]

i totally get where you are coming from LB and as organisers you have to do what sits comfortable with yourselves.
if the risk is that massive (which i agree its a tad scarey!) then do you want to be stressing to that degree?
like myself, i dont really know what im doing one weekend to the next and really would love to come and meet you all this time but i wont know till a lot closer to the event whether i will make it.
im sure for all who really want option 2 you could get your heads together. if opt 1 gpes ahead... well.... c'mon you always look like you have a blast.
good luck and i hope whatever you all decide everyone is happy.

[madeyoulook]

I would love option 2 and to see all the ladies and guys in their finery, but the truth is that we are running out of time now. I would say the alternatives are to make it later in the year and folks pay something a month for the deposit up front starting February. I certainly don't feel comfortable with the prospect of LB and Tinsel losing money because of people dropping out or changing their mind. Deposits are lost by non-appearance at the night.

In saying that I'm happy for option one if that is more realistic. After all it's not where we go it's who we're with.