Budget reunion organiser
A memorable reunion doesn't have to be expensive. Here's exactly where reunion costs come from, and how to keep them low across every category — venue, catering, entertainment and tools.
€0 platform · €1.50 per ticket · No monthly fees
Where does your reunion budget go?
Understanding the breakdown is step one. Most budgets follow this pattern — adjust per category to find the biggest savings.
The biggest cost. Think community centres, sports halls or outdoor locations rather than commercial event spaces.
Often the second biggest item. Buffet-style or a 'bring a dish' setup cuts costs dramatically compared to a full-service dinner.
A playlist, a quiz or a slideshow with old photos costs nothing but makes an evening memorable.
WhatsApp is free. A reunion website is free. Printed invitations aren't — skip them.
Ticketing platforms, registration forms, check-in systems — these can easily cost €5–€15 per ticket. Unless you use Mijn Reünie (€0 platform).
Practical savings per category
Actionable tips that actually work — sourced from real reunion organisers.
Venue: go local
- Contact your local municipality — many councils offer community halls at cost price for residents.
- Sports clubs often rent out their canteen for a fraction of commercial rates.
- School halls (your own school!) are sometimes available outside term time.
- Outdoor events in a park need only a permit, not a venue rental.
- Book a Tuesday–Thursday evening: weekend prices are 30–50% higher.
Catering: smarter, not cheaper
- A buffet from a local caterer costs 40–60% less per head than a plated dinner.
- Assign each table a dish to bring — works brilliantly for family reunions.
- Hire a drinks package instead of open bar: predictable costs, less waste.
- A local bakery or butcher often beats restaurant catering prices.
- Skip printed menus and event programmes — digital or verbal is fine.
Entertainment: creativity over spend
- A 'then & now' photo slideshow is free to make and always gets a reaction.
- A quiz about shared memories costs nothing but a few hours of prep.
- Spotify playlists are free — you don't need a DJ for a reunion.
- A guest book or message wall (like our LiveWall) beats a photo booth hire.
- Ask guests to bring one memorable item from the shared period — instant talking points.
Tools & admin: eliminate the cost entirely
- Mijn Reünie is completely free to start — website, guest list, photo albums, QR check-in.
- Only pay €1.50 per sold ticket — only if you choose to sell tickets.
- No monthly fees, no setup costs, no per-head platform charges.
- Guests register directly on your reunion website — no separate form tool needed.
- Ticket payments go straight to your account via iDEAL — no payout delays.
The tool cost: where most organisers overpay
Combining separate tools (ticketing + registration form + photo sharing + check-in app) quickly adds €5–€15 per ticket in platform fees. Mijn Reünie bundles all of them at €0.
| Feature | Mijn Reünie | Separate tools |
|---|---|---|
| Platform cost | €0 | €5–€15 / ticket |
| Monthly subscription | None | €20–€80/mo |
| Reunion website | Included | Separate tool |
| iDEAL ticket sales | Built-in | Extra integration |
| QR check-in app | Included | Often paid add-on |
| Photo albums | Included | Separate service |
| Guest registration forms | Included | Typeform / Google Forms |
Calculate your reunion budget
Use our free budget calculator to estimate costs for your specific reunion — based on guest count, catering format and venue type.
6 steps to a budget-smart reunion
Follow this order and you'll avoid the most common budget mistakes.
Set a realistic total budget
Add up what you can collectively spend — or what you'll collect via ticket sales. Allocate roughly 40% venue, 35% catering, 10% entertainment, 5% communication, 10% contingency.
Lock in a venue early — and negotiate
Book 4–6 months ahead. Many venues give a discount for weekday bookings or for longer hire periods. Always ask.
Choose a catering format that matches headcount
For 20 people, a shared meal works. For 100+, a buffet or caterer package is more predictable. Get 2–3 quotes.
Build entertainment into the programme — not the budget
Quiz, slideshow, LiveWall — high engagement, near-zero cost. Reserve budget only if live music is truly essential for your group.
Use a free tool for the admin
Mijn Reünie handles your website, registrations, tickets, check-in and photo sharing — at €0 platform cost. Start there before committing budget to tools.
Pass ticket costs through to guests — transparently
Most guests are happy to pay a fair ticket price. If costs are passed on, make it clear what's included. The €1.50 Mijn Reünie fee can be included in your ticket price.
What Mijn Reünie costs — exactly
If your reunion has no ticket sales (free admission), you pay nothing at all. The platform, website, guest list, photo albums and QR check-in are always included at no cost.
Frequently asked questions
What does a reunion typically cost to organise?
Costs vary enormously. A small reunion of 20 people in a community hall with a shared meal can cost €200–€500 in total. A reunion of 150 people with venue, catering and entertainment can run €3,000–€8,000. The biggest variables are venue and catering. Tool and platform costs should be near €0 — that's where Mijn Reünie helps.
Can I organise a reunion for free?
You can get very close to free. The platform (Mijn Reünie) is completely free to start — website, registrations, photo albums, QR check-in. Venue costs can be minimised by using local community spaces. Catering can be a shared meal. If there's no ticket revenue, there are no ticket fees either.
How much does Mijn Reünie cost?
The platform is completely free. There are no monthly fees, no setup costs. The only cost is €1.50 per sold ticket — and only if you choose to sell tickets. If your reunion is free-of-charge, you pay nothing at all.
How can I pass costs on to guests without it being awkward?
Be transparent. Include the total ticket price in the invitation and clearly explain what's included (venue, food, drinks). Most people prefer a clear all-in price over a series of payment requests. Use Mijn Reünie's ticket system to collect payment upfront, so you're not chasing bank transfers.
What's the cheapest way to sell tickets for a reunion?
Mijn Reünie is the lowest-cost option for Dutch reunions: €1.50 per ticket, directly via iDEAL, straight to your account. No monthly fee, no Stripe setup, no Eventbrite commission (which starts at 3.5% + €0.59 per ticket).
Is a budget reunion lower quality?
Not at all. The quality of a reunion is driven by the people, the memories and the programme — not the venue price or table decorations. A well-organised reunion in a local sports hall beats a poorly-organised one in a hotel ballroom every time.
More about reunion costs and planning
Start your budget reunion today
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