Post content has been hidden

To unblock this content, please click here

Just Said Yes August 2021

Reimbursement due to less guest attendance

Tiffany, on June 22, 2020 at 11:28 PM Posted in Community Conversations 0 12

Saved

Flag
Hide content

Hello brides,

Long story short, my wedding was postposted from March to August, which is just around the corner and COVID numbers are increasing. My venue has trained their staff on COVID procedures and rearranged tables to allow for social distancing, so they are pushing forward. I am not 100% sure if it is legal, but I believe they stated they are operating under a restaurant and bar license.

RANT: The venue allowing us to postpone again for a later date in 2020, but the wedding would fall on a Monday or Thursday. If we want to postpone to a date in 2021, we would have to sign a new contract at the new rate which is practically $11k more. Ridiculous increase. I know. And of course there is no knowing whether things will be back to “normal” next year. Normal being I would have a larger outcome, no face masks in photos and video, and I can hug my family and friends. I don’t know if I want to gamble with $11k for that chance. Postponing again would also affect my timeline of starting a family.

We just sent our the RSVPs yesterday (6/21) and only 16 people have RSVPed attending out of 183. We paid for 150 guest, and will definitely have less than half our guest list attending. I think this will be common for all weddings affected by COVID. Has anyone tried asking their venue if they would offer a refund if less guests come?

Has anyone thought about live-streaming their wedding? How are you doing it? I’m still researching.

Flag
Hide content

12 Comments

Latest activity by Brenda, on June 23, 2020 at 7:47 PM

Legend June 2019
Melle · on June 22, 2020 at 11:33 PM
Flag

Hide content
I don’t think that would work though. Venues have minimums regardless of it being a pandemic or not ya know? You could try though! I am all for trying to negotiate!
- Reply
Just Said Yes August 2021
Tiffany · on June 22, 2020 at 11:36 PM
Flag

Hide content
View Quoted Comment
Hi Melle,

Their Sunday minimum is 100 guest and we opted for the 150 pre-COVID. We’re hoping that the can honor the price for 100 guests. I think the difference was about $1k. Not thattttmuch but worth asking. I mean, the venue is going to save money not having to prepare as much food, right? And there will be less people drinking too.
- Reply
Legend June 2019
Melle · on June 22, 2020 at 11:38 PM
Flag

Hide content
View Quoted Comment
Oh in that case maybe there’s a possibility they could but you would need to tell them ahead of time when they need final counts by.
- Reply
VIP December 2021
mrswinteriscoming · on June 23, 2020 at 12:22 AM
Flag

Hide content
If they have a minimum of 100 people at the very least you should be getting back whatever the difference is in costs between 100-150.
I would perhaps even ask them if they could come to some better compromise (i.e. pay for $50) and explain that it is a waste of resources for them just the same that is really unnecessary.
- Reply
Devoted August 2020
Elle · on June 23, 2020 at 12:35 AM
Flag

Hide content
My wedding is also in August, and I'm under contract for a minimum of 120 adults. I asked my venue what would happen if I am under that number due to Covid, and my contact said that they know having less numbers is a possibility, and they will work with me if I have less than 120. So they're being pretty accommodating.
As for the number of rsvps, I wouldn't worry about it. I sent mine out end of May, and 40 people have responded Yes out of 160. If you just sent your invites yesterday, I'd say you've gotten a pretty good response back already!
- Reply
Master September 2020
Jessica · on June 23, 2020 at 12:58 AM
Flag

Hide content
I agree that you should get back the difference between what you paid and their minimum if you don’t exceed it. Our final count is due 8/22 (wedding 9/12) and we won’t make our final payment until then, so all they have now is our deposit.
I actually just reached out to a vendor that we are no longer using for rentals since our ceremony venue is closed through the end of the year, and though they didn’t have to based on the contract they gave us a full refund. There’s no harm in asking what they can do for you.
- Reply
VIP September 2020
Neeva · on June 23, 2020 at 12:19 PM
Flag

Hide content
My venue also said that if fewer people are going to come and we end up with a higher minimum than we can possibly pay with the amount attending then they will work with us on refunding some money back. I doubt they will want to do that so I may just increased my food and beverage options
- Reply
WeddingWire Administrator October 2016
Lynnie · on June 23, 2020 at 1:31 PM
Flag

Hide content
It's definitely worth asking!! Also check the original terms of your contract, I know I estimated a much larger guest list but my contract only stipulated that I had to meet a much lower food & beverage minimum!
- Reply
Just Said Yes August 2021
Tiffany · on June 23, 2020 at 4:09 PM
Flag

Hide content
View Quoted Comment
It actually wouldn’t be a waste of resources for them because they will have a total final head count 10 days prior, so they would not be preparing extra food.
- Reply
Just Said Yes August 2021
Tiffany · on June 23, 2020 at 5:58 PM
Flag

Hide content
View Quoted Comment
Thank you! You’re right, there’s no harm in asking. I’m glad the rental company was so accommodating.
- Reply
Super June 2021
Elizabeth · on June 23, 2020 at 7:17 PM
Flag

Hide content
It will depend on your contract - most have a clause on if they will adjust cost for guest count closer to the event. For example, ours will be happy to charge us more for extra people who show up, but will not refund any if people no-show after our final count goes in because they'll purchase food based on the final count.
- Reply

Savvy October 2021
Brenda · on June 23, 2020 at 7:47 PM
Flag

Hide content
Like many said it will depend on your contract and venue. Ours is based on a “minimum consumption” amount that’s pre established based on the day in order to avoid a room rental fee. Saturday’s are more expensive hence why we picked Sunday. Pre COVID-19, our venue told us that we have up to two before the wedding to evaluate the amount of guest attending and if we have less than expected we are able to upgrade everything (ex. premium drinks, better meat selections, better appetizers etc.). With what’s going I think we will have to end up upgrading a few items.
- Reply