I'm getting married later in the year. We are expecting 100-150 guests, thinking (perhaps) of buffet style rather than dishes-on-table, and don't want to be too far out of the city centre. Can anyone suggest any good-value venues we could investigate? Hotels or restaurants? Thanks.

Diana's has a buffet, has nice decor, and is not expensive.
They are on Dongfeng Xi Lu near the centre.

Downside, not much for meat eaters.

Mostly Chinese dishes.

But from what I understand (if this is a Chinese wedding) they will expect a sit down with all the trimmings, Bai Jiu, and cigarettes on every table; but the Hong Bao will cover the costs. Even if it is a working class wedding, no expense is spared. Especially if this is the brides first wedding.
I don't know what the expectation is for a second wedding.

At one wedding I went to in Guizhou, they collected 450RMB per head from guests as they entered the hall.

I am glad I got married in UK.

There are a few nice hotel near Hai Geng Gong Yuan. Price is reasonable but Chinese style. Probably you can make arrangements with them to have it buffet style instead. Takes about 1/2 hour to 45 minutes to get there. If you have foreign friends attending, can book some mian bao che for them.... below 100 RMB one way... Been to wo foreign weddings there. BEautiful!! and the workers they are respectful... very good service for lao wai!

www.gokunming.com/en/forums/thread/2632/marriage_advice

Thanks for all the good advice. I will investigate fiurther!

American Rotisserie Chicken... A whole dead bird, fries and 3 cokes for about 75rmb

That sounds expensive, I recommend Dicos.

On a more serious note, I'd like to second tigertiger: don't do buffet, do a sitdown meal. It's what people expect and the wedding banquet is probably the last place you want to rock the boat with your new in-laws and associated friends, family, business contacts, etc.

Yes, we may yet deafult to a sit-down meal. However, with only 1-2 actual relatives attending (my fiancee has a very small family!) and the others being friends and colleagues, including a dozen foreigners (several of whom are veggies/vegans) we thought we might go for food that people can choose for themselves and actually enjoy. I've been to so many weddings were the standard food dumped on your table was just awful. But choice costs! ....can you book a whole Dicos restaurant for a function??

Hey, i know a great pizza buffet place that serves all variety of food and drinks. They have pizza, spaghetti, meat on sticks, ice cream, beer, different kind of coffee, soft drinks etc etc. It is a better deal than Dicos. The restaurant is called Origus PIzza Buffet,about RMB 50 per head... Am sure you can book the whole place. Maybe you can head down to the restaurant and try it out. Deffinitely better than Dicos.

Check it out www.origus.com
Tianhao Branch

Add: 1F, Tianhao Mansion, 11 Renmin Zhonglu, Kunming

Tel: 0871-3117227, 3181766

Jinbi Branch

Add: Jinbi Lu, Kunming.

Tel: 0871-3623668, 3181766

Just for the record, we've gone for a buffet at Grand Park Hotel. Not the cheapest option, but more reasonable than we expected. Thanks for all your previous advice which was really helpful.