Engagement Party - Nibbles or not?

For our engagement party, I spent no money on food because all the family chipped in like my mum done sandwiches, other half's mum cooked and cooled sausage rolls, cocktail sausages, pizza etc, maybe this could be an option? We had so much food that even after party of about 60 people, we ate it as nibbles at home for days lol!

This being said, I think having some pots of sweets, popcorn, etc on the table would be fine as long as your guests are aware beforehand so they don't think 'oh we won't bother having dinner because there will be food there'

It would be a bit odd to be invited to a party with no food. How about asking everyone to bring a plate of food each? If they're all friends and family then they won't mind. It doesn't cost much for each person, but would save you a lot of money

What are you planning on doing with the £20? (ie. you've said you could have a party for £100 instead of 2 meals out & room hire is £50 & you're looking at feeding 100+ people for £30).

Assuming people are coming & there will be a cash bar for guests to buy your own drinks & just background music, then i do think you need to up the £30 in order to feed your guests. Even at £50 it would be a push! I'm not saying it couldn't be done, but it'd have to be very budget (& very embarassing if you run out of food!). I think either people aren't going to hang around, or will get very drunk very quickly. Is there any way of asking immediate family to help out? Maybe see if parents/siblings can offer something towards it? Either in the way of money, food or decorations?

I think it's a nice idea & would be great for everyone to get together, but personally we didn't see the point in spending money on a mini party for our engagement, when that money could go towards the wedding.

I think you ask people to bring food or just say there will be snacks available and go to somewhere cheap and get lots of snacks. If you are meeting for a drink that's different but to ask people to come to a party and potentially people will buy you presents, then I would provide something. If I went to a party and spent money on a present and card I'd be a bit fed up if there wasn't anything. Or don't have a party as someone else said.

I think homemade sandwiches is a good way to do snacks on the cheap (try and get loaves at reduced price). You could try and do a variety of flavours still. Bowls of crisps. Doesn't have to be a lot tbh, I don't rock up to a party and expect to be filled to the brim. It's just nice to have something to soak up a bit of alcohol haha.

We catered for 80 with £100 of nibbles. However there was nothing left for any late arrivers so in hindsight would have provided more.