Final Count 1 Month prior WTH!

I don't think it's fair, but it's pretty standard here.

That seems excessive -- is this a smaller caterer? Maybe they need a month prior to buy in bulk (eg., buy supplies and food for all weddings for that month) to keep their costs down?

If you go with them, UNDERCOUNT by one or two, especially if you know that they will prepare five extra.

One caveat: if it's common in your set for people to show up without sending in an RSVP, definitely don't undercount. For most, I think it's ok to undercount because emergencies happen and most have one or two no-shows.

Oh wow, good to know Celia! It's actually a large banquet facility they had 3 weddings going on yesterday. She said they just changed to that policy seemed like they were getting annoyed with the brides changing their number. But I would think that just comes with the territory. Thanks Lively! I think in my group ppl are more apt to not rsvp and show up

My caterer asks for a close number one month out and then an exact number 10 days out. She did ask that the numbers be fairly close to one another.

One month out is pretty standard round here (might be due to it being rural so deliveries aren't as frequent). Most of the venues we've looked at have final payment and final numbers due 30 days prior to the date.

My venue needs a count 2 weeks out for the kitchen, but doesn't need final numbers (and payment) until the Tuesday immediately before the wedding.

I think we had to give a rough number 30 days out, then a solid number the week before. And we couldn't be more or less than a certain amount, for the final number. We were married on a holiday weekend and the venue had to plan for staffing and such.

We had to have the final number of centerpieces 4 weeks before and the number of chair covers, too.

One month is common in my area as well (NYC/NJ, same as Celia). My venue needs the final count a week before, but it's a restaurant/bar/brewery, so it's a little different.

It's totally doable if you send your invites out 10-12 weeks before the wedding and set your RSVP date 5 weeks before the wedding. I say 5 weeks to give yourself a week to track down people.

Eta: clarity

I have a contracted minimum for a Saturday night wedding during peak season (120 adults), and my final count is due 5 days before. They'll only prepare for 10% extra if more people show up the day of the wedding that weren't on my final count. I hope I don't have 10% extra people show up the day of my wedding....

My caterer and the bartending vendor require the final headcount one month prior to the event.

My venue's deadline for a final headcount is 3 days prior!!! I had a couple of guests cancel last week, causing me to adjust my headcount AGAIN. So knowing that the guest list can change at any moment in time, I don't think that's a good investment. I'm sure it's gorgeous, but that's too much stress and pressure on you that you wouldn't be able to control because people will do what they like.

Our venue was our caterer, and they also needed final count 30 days prior. We didn't even think about extra lol. It wasn't too bad, for our July 25 wedding I made the RSVP date June 22 and that just gave me a tighter timeline to follow up with a few guests that didn't RSVP in time.

Thanks so much ladies I had been to 7 or 8 other places and they all were saying final count the week of so I was surprised by a month ahead of time but it sounds like that is somewhat common. Thanks rjmargo for the timeline ideas that was going to be my next question!

As a venue that caters, we also ask for the entree counts 30 days prior to the wedding day. There are many factors that go into those decisions but it seems to be a common practice. However, I did have someone book their wedding with us 34 days before the date. In which case, exceptions were made to change the counts to 20 days prior.

It is also pretty common for the chef's to prepare a few extra of each entree since some guests want to change their mind the day of or they forget what they RSVP'd for.

One month out was what most venues required that I saw around here...And the one we went with also requires it, but luckily everyone has responded on time!