About Manchester
Known as the second most visited place in England, Manchester is home to the 'Mancunians'. The city's emblem is the Manchester worker bee, highlighting the city's industrious nature. The iconic symbol can be seen in the mosaic floors of the city's Town Hall.
You don’t mess with Manchester's football culture! The city is overloaded with residents and tourists during football season. The world’s first professional football league was set up in Manchester's Royal Hotel, and nowadays, Manchester has two football teams known as Manchester United and Manchester City.
Also widely known in Manchester is Curry Mile (in reality, only half a mile long). Beginning at Wilmslow Road, Curry Mile is a stretch of restaurants, takeaways and kebab shops serving South Asian and Middle Eastern food. It is known to be the place with the most number of South Asian restaurants outside of India. If you are a curry lover, then don't miss checking out Curry Mile!
Because of the many food options and exciting attractions in Manchester, you will find it rewarding to throw your reception party in this city.
Reception Venue Options in Manchester
While planning a reception, there are a few factors you need to consider to make it a reception that guests will love. We’ve concocted a list of Manchester-based vendors to help you during the process!
- Furniture Hire
When looking for reception spaces, you may notice that some spaces may not come with furniture. This can be a huge positive if you prefer to be creative and arrange the furniture how you would like. Manchester has a handful of furniture hire companies that you can check out, many of which offer delivery and collection services.
- Photo Booth
Nothing is better than creating memories. Photo booths make this happen by adding an exciting touch to events such as parties and wedding receptions. They bring guests together and allow them to take home photographs to remember the day by. There are several photo booth companies that incorporate a unique twist to their products, such as selfie pods, props and visual effects.
- Printing Services
For events such as weddings and receptions, printing services can come in handy if you're thinking of sending personalized paper invites or putting name cards on tables. A printing service company can design the materials to your liking, choose a suitable paper type and do bulk orders for you—that's many things checked off your list!
- Catering
Food during a reception is admittedly one of the highlights of the event. Your guests will surely be looking forward to what they're going to eat. Because of that, it's important not to disappoint everyone by finding a reputable caterer that serves only the best and freshest dishes, whether it's a two-course dinner or just some dainty appetizers. Fortunately, there are a myriad of catering options in Manchester, so you won't go wrong with your choice!
Reception Venue Companies in Manchester
- Thorns Group
With over 1.5 million items in stock, Thorns Group supplies furniture for various events such as weddings, conferences, receptions and ceremonies. They have a whole warehouse of items from tables, chairs and bar furniture to lounge stools and power charging furniture.
- MuPrint.com
Located near the heart of Manchester, MuPrint has been around since the 1980s. MuPrint produces flyers, leaflets, business cards, posters, programmes, branded mugs and more. On top of a wide selection of products, they also offer same-day printing if you’re in a bit of a time crunch.
- Manchester Catering Company
Manchester Catering Company is known as the leading caterer in Manchester. With over 35 years of experience, this family-run business can handle any type of event and offers lunches, dinners, canapes, individual platters and drinks. Over the years, Manchester Catering Company has also strengthened its knowledge in event planning, so they can also help you in case you want a professional to plan and execute your reception for you.
Pros and Cons of Reception Venues in Manchester
Pros
- Transportation
Transportation is one of the most integral aspects of Manchester. There are many transportation modes here, including the Metrolink light rail system, buses, trains and planes. If your reception guests don't have cars, they can always commute using these modes available.
- Restaurant options
With over 600 restaurants to choose from, the city of Manchester has a bustling food-and-drink scene. This means you'll never run out of options when choosing the best caterer for your reception. The difficulty is in selecting which one's the best!
- Attractions and things to do
Manchester is full of attractions for all different people, from yearly festivals, football and food culture to nightclubs, pubs and concerts. The city will be an exciting place to throw a reception as you and your guests will get the chance to explore a little more and have fun after the event.
- Affordability
Although a very populated and huge city, Manchester has a lower cost of living than other major cities in England. If you want to hold your reception event in a major city with lots of options yet you're tight on budget, Manchester is the place for you.
Cons
- Dull
Manchester weather is very wet and grey most of the year. This may not deter you from planning a reception here, but it's good to keep this in mind especially if you'll be having a lot of guests over. Choose an indoor venue, or in case of an outdoor reception, a covered space for your reception. Make sure to have a backup plan such as tents, marquees and rain gear.
- Students
There are many universities and colleges in close proximity to each other in Manchester. This may not affect you at large, but in case you're not a fan of crowds, keep in mind that the student population on the weekends and nighttimes adds to Manchester's crowded streets.
Best Reception Venues in Manchester
- The View Bar & Restaurant
This modern industrial bar comes with a fully licensed bar including draught beer, wines and bespoke cocktails. It has a capacity of up to 70 guests and offers private parking for up to 60 cars and wheelchair access, making it a very inviting venue space for you and your guests.
- The Halle Lounge Bar
This versatile event space at The Edwardian Manchester can accommodate up to 180 people and any type of event. They offer a two-course buffet lunch and refreshments, as well as complimentary Wi-Fi and an interactive board.
- The Castlefield Rooms
Located in the heart of Manchester city centre, The Castlefield Rooms is perfect for either private or corporate events. The venue takes inspiration from the industrial heritage of Castlefield. It has three different spaces that can allow 30 to 250 people, and catering is available.
