Final count!

We only had 1 no show. Our final count was 124, but we planned for 129. We had a buffet so I knew people would go back up for more and take seconds, and they did! They gave us leftovers at the end of the night, it was only 3 meals and my fiance and I were so happy to have them! They also will probably need the actual count for plates & silverware & champagne & water & all that!

Date twin!!

I would give them the official count of 110, it is better to be over than under and there is nothing wrong with left overs! We are in the same boat. We have a count of 194 but I am expecting some "no-shows" due to health situations as well.

Explain the situation to your caterer and ask what to do. Ours said once we gave a final headcount and made our final payment we obviously couldn’t get any money back, but she said we could add a couple more people as late as a day in advance, and pay after...... so in our case we just didn’t count the people who were questionable due to health reasons, and then the day before, if they still felt up to coming (which they did) we just added them.

To add, of course not every caterer will necessarily let you do that, but you should check. Especially if you say it’s due to health reasons, vendors are often more sympathetic than you’d expect. It sure can’t hurt to ask!

Otherwise I’d just give them the 110 number. Paying for a couple no-shows is soooo normal, you’ve almost got to just accept that it’s going to happen and build it into your budget unfortunately

Give the accurate count

We used our actual count.

You should use your accurate count. What will you do if guests attend that you didn't accomodate for?

I agree to use the actual count. You want to make sure there is room for then but I would explain to your venue your situation

Speak specifically with your caterer. Our official count was due 14 days before the wedding— this number became our financially binding minimum ( meaning we paid for all the guests in that count whether or not they showed up), however, or caterer allowed us to ADD guests to that count up to 48 hours before the event. We had a couple guests in the same situation with you’re describing— like a “yes! ... but as long as I am cleared to travel by my doctor following XXissue” ...because they had the potential to become “no’s” , and I knew I could add them later, I left them off my 14 day count, and went back and added them in after confirming they were cleared to travel the weekend before the wedding. But, Everyone has different policies and I don’t know that every caterer is (or even can be, depending on how they run the show) so flexible. I will say I was VERY clear with my caterers all along about the situation. Even knowing their policy, I didn’t spring the extra guests on them out of nowhere. When I submitted my 14 day count, I explained the health issue, that I was counting someone as a no, but they ma turn out to be able to come. So, it was perfectly expected when I reached out to add to me count!

But to add— it is very important the caterer has a complete and accurate head count leading into the day for all the reasons— so if you can’t add people later, it is important to give them the full number of potential attendees, so that everyone ends up with food and a place setting day of!

View Quoted Comment Yesss we get the leftovers as well. I just don’t want to over pay lol

View Quoted Comment Ahh yay! We’re sooo close. I agree I’d rather be over than under but with a buffet I’m not too concerned with not having enough. It would definitely be different if it was a served dinner

View Quoted Comment That’s a great suggestion! Thank you soo much I might just do that if they’ll allow it!

View Quoted Comment I still plan to include them in our seating chart and all that. We are having a buffet so i don’t think it will matter much with quantity but I think I am going to discuss the options with our caterer, I really like the option of adding them on after confirmation!