Man, shooting events with an f/4 is a total nightmare, I feel you. Honestly, stick with the Nikon glass for an event like a rehearsal dinner where you cant afford to miss focus while a third-party lens hunts. I've been really happy with a few specific primes on my D7500 and they're well within your $200 limit if you shop around or look at used gear.

• First choice has to be the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G. It sits right around 50mm equivalent on your sensor. I've used this for indoor parties and the sharpness is just incredible for the price. It's wide enough to get groups but fast enough to blur the background.
• If you want something tighter for candid headshots, the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G is a legend. Im super satisfied with how it renders skin tones. It focuses way faster than the cheap Yongnuo 50mm f/1.8 for Nikon F alternatives, which trust me, you'll appreciate when people are moving around in dim light.
• You might even find a used Nikon AF-S DX Micro-NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G for cheap too. It's a bit slower at f/2.8 but works well if you want to get detail shots of the rings or table settings. Basically, that 35mm is your best bet for general coverage. It's small, light, and just works. You wont regret staying native... the autofocus reliability is worth every penny over the off-brand stuff. Let me know if you need help finding a good deal on one!

Just caught this thread and wanted to mention that since you are on a D7500, you really might want to consider the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G instead of a 50mm. Field of view data shows the 35mm is way more practical for indoor events on a crop sensor. On your body, a 50mm behaves like a 75mm which is basically too tight for candid shots across a dinner table. A few technical specs to consider:

• The 35mm DX has a Silent Wave Motor which helps focus speed in dim lighting.
• Optically, it handles chromatic aberration better than most cheap glass.
• It is lightweight but still has a metal mount. I would suggest being careful with older D-series glass tho. Even though your body has an internal motor, G-series lenses generally have better coatings for handling flare from indoor overhead lights. Make sure to check the mount for wear if buying used... dont want to get stuck with a loose connection mid-shoot.

Wow ok that changes things. Gonna have to rethink my approach now.

Just saw this thread and had to jump in because rehearsal dinners are basically like shooting in a cave lol! Seriously dont gamble with those cheap third-party knockoffs for an event like this. If the lens starts hunting while someone is giving a toast or sharing a laugh, you are gonna be so frustrated!! I am a total stickler for reliability so I always tell people to stick with the native glass for peace of mind when there is no redo. The absolute best move for a D7500 is the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G. It is a tiny powerhouse! Its super sharp and on your crop sensor it gives you that classic 50mm field of view which is perfect for walking around a dinner. Since it is an AF-S lens, the motor is built right in so it works perfectly with your bodies autofocus system. Its also cheap enough that you might have cash left over for a second lens if you shop used. If you want something a little tighter for portraits, the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G is amazing too. The bokeh is fantastic for the price. The autofocus is just way more consistent than the off-brands honestly. When the lights go down, that extra bit of speed and accuracy is everything. You can usually find the 35mm for like $130 used, and it is a total game changer compared to that f/4 zoom youve been struggling with... love that little lens so much!