Halls for hire in Auckland

Community halls - what are they really?

For us at SpacetoCo, community halls include all kinds of medium to large spaces that can accommodate 30 people or more and have very affordable hire fees. These spaces are meant for the entire community to enjoy after all, so it is important to us that they are accessible by everyone.

Community halls for hire in Auckland can look like a sprawling church hall or it could even be a room inside your local community centre. They may not all be traditional 'halls' per se, but they are definitely some of the most beautiful and functional venues in Auckland for bringing your tribe together in one place.

Planning to host a private function, corporate event, or a casual gathering? We know how time-consuming and elaborate the planning activity can be. A long search for suitable halls for hire in Auckland to arranging the food, decor and so much more! Hosting a successful event is no mean feat! But no matter what kind of event you might be planning, sticking to an affordable budget can be quite a task. Expenses can pile up fast and before you know it, you have already overspent.

But you know how much we love planning and hosting community events in beautiful spaces. So we’ve compiled a cheat sheet to help keep your function expenses within budget. These are our suggestions to help you host a great event and not break the bank.

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Choosing the right halls for hire in Auckland

When planning to host an event at a hired venue, the biggest chunk of the expenditure typically goes into the hall hiring fee. Function halls for hire in Auckland can be expensive. So if not chosen carefully, you may end up in a venue that you may have paid a lot for, but doesn’t suit your purpose. Be mindful of the features and amenities offered against the price you are paying. Throwing a kid’s birthday party? Definitely pick a place that’s easy to clean up after. Looking for a wedding venue to fit 100 people? Don’t forget to check whether the space is well-ventilated or not. Hosting a corporate event? You probably don’t need the bouncy castle and the chocolate fountain (although, why not?!).

It may seem hard, but it is possible to find suitable halls for hire in Auckland even if you don’t have a big budget. Browse through some of the spaces above and we are confident you’ll find something that not only fits your event requirements but also your pocket. Remember, cheap doesn’t always mean bad. As long as you get the right value for the price you’re paying, any venue can be made perfect if utilized the right way.

Food and drinks

Often the most exciting part of planning (and sometimes, attending!) a function, it’s easy to get carried away and splurge on food and drinks. This is one thing that can truly make or break your budget. But this is also one aspect of an event that can be completely customised to keep things affordable.

One way to manage expenses is to hire a space that allows you to bring your own food and drinks. This way you can spend as much or as little as you want. Plan your menu using seasonal ingredients that are usually cheaper than exotic produce. Grazing platters are a good way to offer a variety of fresh fruits, bread, local cheeses, dips, and cured meats. Another great option is to serve different kinds of cold and warm salads. They not only keep costs down but also make for interesting appetizers to munch on through the event. For something more filling, we love mini sliders and sandwiches. If you want to add something sweet to the menu that also offers excellent bang for your bucks, think of shared desserts like a fresh fruit pavlova. Muffins and cupcakes are also fun if you have kids attending the event.

While it is easy to play around with the food, drinks are a different matter altogether. If you choose to serve alcohol, think of easy drinks that can be prepared in advance and served to big crowds. Sangrias and boozy fruit punches are always a hit. Alternatively, choose a few types of alcohol that most people might enjoy, thus limiting your expense.

Planning the decorations

The best way to keep venue decor expense minimal is by going the DIY route. And as cliche as it sounds, Pinterest is your best friend when it comes to DIY decorations! This is also a great opportunity to involve kids in the process, especially if you’re planning their birthday. Get them to help with the crafty stuff and enjoy a fun afternoon creating decoration elements for your function.

If you want to be frugal, think about how you can use your event’s food set up to double up as a centrepiece. Make the food buffet colourful, include different elements in the form of candles, flowers, serving platters, and turn it into the visual highlight of your event.

Lights also add an interesting dimension to indoor and outdoor spaces. But it doesn’t have to be anything elaborate. Just play around with a few strings of fairy lights and bring an element of magic and romance to your venue. And as a bonus, this is something you can keep reusing for other events as long as they work well! Candles, balloons, and flowers are some of our other favourite cheap and versatile decor items that you can mix and match to fit the theme of your function.

No-frills party entertainment

Once you’ve picked your venue, there’s not much you can do about the hall hiring fees. But how you make use of the space entirely depends on you. Whether it’s a wedding party you are hosting or a kid’s birthday celebration, it is possible to plan cheap entertainment for guests.

Want to throw in some live performances but don’t have the extra cash? Your social circle might be the best place for you to find someone who loves to sing, play an instrument or even perform improv comedy. If they happen to be someone you know closely, you may even be able to get mate’s rates!

For a kid-friendly event, throw in some DIY activities and you’re bound to have a bunch of excited, happy kids! For adults, quizzes are not only fun, but are also easy and economical to put together. But if you’re really not sure what your guests might like, karaoke might be the answer to all your woes. It’s cheap, it’s fun and most importantly, it manages to bring everyone together!