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K Thomas
Savvy May 2020

Low turn out at Wedding Reception

K Thomas, on August 18, 2020 at 4:20 PM Posted in Wedding Reception 0 14
Has anyone pushed ahead and had a reception and ended up with low turn out?



My husband and I are having ours in two weeks and we have a suspicion that many won't show. We will provide masks for all who attend.
We understand people are scared but none of our vendors would refund us, and we rescheduled from June to September thinking things would be dialed down. And that was our third time rescheduling from March. Not to mention my vendors are open for business.
We made the best decision we could. But now it looks like a lot of the money we spent will be wasted. Head count was already relatively low, with around 80 people, now it will be even less.

14 Comments

Latest activity by Amanda, on August 19, 2020 at 3:28 AM
  • E
    Super October 2020
    Emma ·
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    Is the 80 everyone that rsvpd?
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  • Alexandria
    Expert November 2020
    Alexandria ·
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    We aren't scheduled til November but we have already lost about 40% of the guest list because they are out of state or across the country, it's hard and really stinks, but I;m trying to stay positive. In the end you will still get to marry your best friend and will have an amazing day and night together! Smiley heart

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  • Molly
    VIP September 2020
    Molly ·
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    We cut down our guest list before sending invites and out of the 67 invites we will have 57

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  • Kelsey
    VIP September 2020
    Kelsey ·
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    My guest list is right around 85 guests. We invited 170, with travel bans to our state by the governor of New York; many of my FH's family has had to cancel which stinks. I like to say that these will be the best 85 people ever and I can't wait to celebrate with all of them.

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  • K Thomas
    Savvy May 2020
    K Thomas ·
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    Yes, and now we might have like 40
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  • K Thomas
    Savvy May 2020
    K Thomas ·
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    I'm thinking most of my husband's family won't show, but I would feel really bad about going ahead with it, knowing they won't be there and in none of the pictures
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  • Kelsey
    VIP September 2020
    Kelsey ·
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    Could you do a Zoom ceremony so they are included? We are doing one so his relatives can see the ceremony.

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  • K Thomas
    Savvy May 2020
    K Thomas ·
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    We actually already had are ceremony in May, that was the second time we had to cancel our wedding. So we just went ahead and got married because we have been together so long.
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  • MOB So Cal
    January 2019
    MOB So Cal ·
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    If you've already paid and/or are already committed to pay a certain amount even if you cancel, I would just go ahead with however many people attend. Either way you're going to pay the money, so you may as well enjoy your day with whomever can attend. There have been posts from other brides who ended up with a much smaller group than they originally planned for, but they still had fabulous celebrations. I would not attempt to reschedule again because there are people who have declined -- who's to say they would come on some other date even if you reschedule just for them? In the given circumstances I'm all about respecting whatever decisions people make for themselves, so if they aren't comfortable attending, that's fine and I'm sure you'll miss them, but full-steam ahead! Smiley heart

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  • Leanne
    Super September 2020
    Leanne ·
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    We had to cut our guest list down to 50 at the beginning of this month for our September wedding. We ended up saving a ton on the catering and alcohol. Hopefully that could be a silver lining for you also?
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  • Jamie
    Dedicated November 2020
    Jamie ·
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    Our guest list went from 150 to 50 and bow we’re down to only 16. I actually saved on money instead of losing. Hopefully it won’t be a financial strain on you if some don’t show. Unfortunately there’s just no way to get around this pandemic mess and some just aren’t going to be comfortable with attending events.
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  • Jodie
    Expert August 2020
    Jodie ·
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    We invited about 160 people and had 105 rsvp yes. Some people we figured would say no said yes. Does your caterer have minimums?
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  • Sexypoodle
    Master October 2021
    Sexypoodle ·
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    Given that our weddings are being planned during a deadly pandemic, there are some things that just come with the territory and have to be expected. For example, some of us have changed our wedding dates, others had to cut guest lists and include masks, distanced dinner tables or not have any dancing at the reception, etc. Despite that, guests will still decline or not show up at all. Sure, it sucks! But we can’t expect the norm in these highly abnormal times... but your wedding will still be a good time!!!
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  • Amanda
    Dedicated October 2020
    Amanda ·
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    We invited 135 guest, only expecting 100 at most pre COVID. Invites went out 2 weeks ago and only a few RSVPs have trickled in. I’m guessing we will have much less than we expected based on what I’m hearing from family and friends. I struggled with this for about a week but have come to the conclusion the people who love and care about us will be there. In turn, if we have a much smaller head count I will spoil my guest a little more. We will get some extras with catering, maybe extra wedding favors, and go all out with the booze. I want the guest who do show up to know how much we appreciate them and they can tell everyone else they missed a killer wedding.
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