We drafted our guest list of 110 right after we got engaged because we wanted to start touring venues. We found one we LOVE with a 100 guest minimum, but when I reviewed our list I don’t know wtf we were thinking; in our excitement, we included people we barely talk to anymore! Our list is actually closer to 90 and we know to expect 10-20% declines (leaving appx. 72-81 guests). We can still use the venue and pay the difference for the 100 guest minimum, but my fear is how empty it may look with potentially 72 people in a room meant for 100-250. The owner said he can fill space with lounge furniture to make it feel fuller, but that just sounds like more empty seats to me.
Am I overthinking this? Should we keep our list as is, invite extra people to fill it up since we’d be paying for it anyway, or just find a new venue since we haven't booked yet? Are there ways to fill space besides lounge furniture? It would look like the pics below with the dance floor in between.
