The problem with this environment is most of the developers didn't appreciate such an event and I suspect only now do we have a critical mass of people who are married or involved and thus might appreciate such a thing.

Actually I was pretty ticked about it the first year. All I could think was, "save the money on the party and divide it up between all the employees. I'm hear to work, not attend a stupid, overpriced party." Only afterward did I understand the real value. One happy wife who get's a night out in a fancy dress: priceless.