Last minute addition

I don't think your friend understands how much work has gone into planning. Stand firm - let her know that guest count has already been finalized and she is sadly unable to attend. Your friend might be upset, but she waited too long to change her RSVP to 'yes'. I'm sorry you're having to go through this - good luck

Tell her no then.

I was say unfortunately due to timing and preparation we have already made everything set and our guest list can not be changed. I would understand if it wasn’t a week away and if it maybe was a more casual thing but it sounds like she’s expecting you to just say oh yeah okay which I don’t think you should. You already planned it. Leave it how it is.

Tell her you can't change things last minute like this. It's hard to understand how difficult wedding planning can be unless you've been through it.

I don’t think this is worth getting upset over. Either tell her “I’m sorry, unfortunately it is too late” or, make it work. If you can still add on to your catering numbers, and if she can fit at an appropriate table, I’d just add the place setting there and tell her which one she’ll be at. No need to reprint the whole chart. We had a last minute add in, when one guest’s husband was actually able to come afterall. We were happy to add him in...unfortunately he wouldn’t fit at his wife’s table and instead of redoing ALL the tables, we just bumped them over to a spot that they’d fit even though it wasn’t with the rest of their crowd. It worked out fine. I could add guests (though not subtract) up to 48 hrs before the event with my caterers. If I couldn’t, I’d simply have said I was sorry and that it was too late to change numbers. I accommodated him mostly because we really did want him there to celebrate with us.

I agree with Caytlyn. You don't need to give this person excuses. There was a date to RSVP by and when you're unsure of your schedule, you respond no. Then that's it.

Depends on your caterer and venue. If it would be a huge pain to add this person, do not do it. The week of my wedding there was a tad bit of drama between my MIL and my mom about extra guests (MIL invited two extras via a misunderstanding which pissed my mom off so I had to let my mom invite more people). Caterer and venue was fine with adding people but would not take any away. We did escort cards and there were extra seats available so it was fine. But if it would’ve thrown everything off and the vendors weren’t cool with it, i would’ve told both my moms sorry deal with it, your guests can’t come

Is she someone that you or FH is close with? Is there a random table that has an extra chair? If the answer is no to either of those, then tell her no. You can say something like “I’m so sorry, we had to turn our final count and payment in last week and we don’t have the ability to add any more” you could also mention getting together with her another day to celebrate.