Not sure what to do

Although it's taboo to add people on at the last minute, we did this with a few people, but they were mostly people who we had been close to earlier in life but had drifted from and didn't expect to be invited anyway, and some of my mom's friends. We deliberately chose people who we knew would actually feel honored to be added on, not offended that they weren't on the original list. You have to be very careful about this though, and it's hard to give advice because only you know these specific people and if they'd be happy to come regardless or if they'd be hurt to be last minute add-ons.

It's also very nice to add more alcohol/hors d'oeuvres for your existing guests! I don't think that's a waste of money at all, it would be a nice way to treat the people who are coming extra well.

I agree that b-listing is rude. It sounds like your best option is adding items for your existing guests. Could you do a higher bar package or a dessert bar?

Can you just tell them to charge you the 7k so you don't go over without adding actual items?

Our rehearsal dinner venue let us add a "half order" of an item because adding a whole order would have been too much. If you already have enough food, then just a half order shouldn't be an issue, it's just extra food. Worth asking if they'll do something like this.

You're going to have to pay the minimum anyway, so why not order extra apps? It will make your guests happy.

It seems late to invite people now. I would get a quote what it would be to add small things, like 1 appetizer or a champagne toast or tableside wine or nicer liquor.

I would add extra items. Maybe upgraded bar or late night snack. Or an extra app.

Chocolate fountain!! Yum!! I love those.

Do a s'mores bar! That would be fun and festive for the season!

I would definitely just upgrade some aspect of the menu, whether it's appetizers, an upgraded entree or salad, a late-night snack, or whatever. With the candy bar it sounds like you might have desserts pretty well covered, so, personally, I'd probably increase the appetizers or do an upgrade to the dinner menu. I know it can be a bummer to spend $ you feel like you could potentially "save," but you've always known the minimum, so you budgeted for it anyway. (I wouldn't add anyone at this point, unless there are people who you didn't offer a plus one to who might like to have the option.)

This happened to us. We had more declines than we thought so we added more food and it was a GREAT choice. My wedding was almost a year ago and our friends and family are still talking about how great our wedding food was. So many people told us they normally leave weddings still hungry and go get fast food after but our wedding was the first one where they were stuffed!