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Martha
Devoted September 2019

Rsvp disappointment

Martha, on August 19, 2019 at 10:10 AM Posted in Wedding Reception 0 19
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I know this has been discussed, but anyone else a little disappointed in their final numbers? Our wedding is on a Saturday and not during Labor Day weekend, so I was hoping most everyone could make it. Plus, our venue has a 15k food and drink minimum so it doesn’t help us to have less people. In fact, we are struggling with what else to add and we just adding food for the sake of meeting the minimum. We invited close to 130-135 people, and we are at 110 including us. We had 8 families decline. I’m also nervous the dance floor won’t be as packed since less people are attending that what we planned.

19 Comments

Latest activity by Stacy, on August 21, 2019 at 10:46 AM
  • Caytlyn
    Legend November 2019
    Caytlyn ·
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    I think 20-25 declines sounds very normal. 110 guests is still plenty to keep the party going. 25 guests is enough as long as you have the right people and a good DJ.

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  • Mcskipper
    Master July 2018
    Mcskipper ·
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    Girl, that is actually a high attendance rate!! I don’t mean that to sound insensitive, just that your numbers are not only normal, but many many people receive even more declines. 110 is still by no means a small wedding, and absolutely
    more than enough people to keep a dance floor rocking
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  • M
    Legend June 2019
    Melle ·
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    Yea I had a 20% decline rate too. I know it kind of sucks though in terms of your food and beverage minimum. 110 people is a great turn out still Smiley smile
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  • Sara
    Super October 2019
    Sara ·
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    I agreed - the no's can be disappointing, but I think you still have plenty of people attending, and more than enough to have a full and fun dance floor!

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  • Kim
    Super September 2019
    Kim ·
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    Date twin! I feel this so much! And our numbers are almost similar! Our total invitees were a little more than yours so our declines are moreWe assumed people would be bringing plus ones, and we had out of town people that sadly could not make it. Also worrying about the dance floor! I know FH's side are not the dancing type. So hopefully, my side can make up for it!

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  • MrsD
    Legend July 2019
    MrsD ·
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    Can you have nicer food & drinks if less people come? That's what we did. Planned for 150 people, had closer to 125 so we got a full open bar vs. just open beer and wine.

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  • Keri
    Expert November 2019
    Keri ·
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    More time to spend with your guests that can make it. You and your guests will still have a blast!

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  • Cher Horowitz
    Master December 2019
    Cher Horowitz ·
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    Sadly, declines are part of the wedding planning process. Don't let that weigh you down, though! Quality - not quantity Smiley smile

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  • Martha
    Devoted September 2019
    Martha ·
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    We already have a chicken and steak dinner for each guest and open bar. We added soups, we are using their bakery (plus another one we like), added late night pizza, and added 2 hrs of open bar. Maybe just more appetizers? lol.. surely no one will be left hungry!
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  • Martha
    Devoted September 2019
    Martha ·
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    Thank you ladies!! You all made me feel better 💕
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  • Martha
    Devoted September 2019
    Martha ·
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    You’re exactly right, thank you ☺️
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  • Tessa
    Devoted November 2019
    Tessa ·
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    F&B minimums are a flipping scam. I'm sorry you're dealing with this :-( I toured multiple venues that had guest count restrictions and menu limitations that made it impossible to meet the F&B minimum. I feel like they lower the per person number on the packages to get you in, but they know you'll never meet the minimum so they'll get the "site fee" or "room rental fee" that you ultimately have to pay tax and tip on. Its the worst and extremely frustrating. You are not alone and I would totally feel the same way!
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  • Martha
    Devoted September 2019
    Martha ·
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    Exactly! I really wish I put more thought into that a year and a half ago when we booked. I just loved the venue, it’s so pretty and has big open windows and wood flooring. Should have done some more research and we were so far out from the date. Oh well, we will get a lot of to go boxes!
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  • Kellie Martinez
    Super October 2019
    Kellie Martinez ·
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    My RSVP rate isn't great but we still have time so I'm trying not to be sad. almost 12 people just RSVP'd no and it was every aunt and uncle FH invited. Just remember to enjoy your day regardless, Smiley heart

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  • MrsD
    Legend July 2019
    MrsD ·
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    Yeah, more appetizers would be great! Are you having tableside wine or a champagne toast?

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  • Christine
    Expert September 2020
    Christine ·
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    I'd do more appetizers and upgrade/extend your drink package if possible! Food and beverage minimums are wild - ours is thankfully only $9,500 (which a. has to be met before taxes/gratuity and b. will also be hard to meet if we get a bunch of declined invitations next year!) and we had to remove a bunch of amazing venues from our short list that had $15,000+ F&B minimums for Saturdays during peak season. I feel you, it's painful to have to add a bunch of food in order to meet your minimum. I hate that venues do this.

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  • Trista
    VIP September 2019
    Trista ·
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    That's not too bad of a decline! I have about a 45% decline. It's definitely a bummer, but your wedding will be just as fun and just as special.
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  • Rebecca
    Master August 2019
    Rebecca ·
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    We invited 141.

    84 (including kids) are coming.

    My *entire* maternal side of the family declined, plus the usual attrition rate. To make matters worse, my entire family declined WELL AFTER the RSVP date, so we couldn't even squeeze in a B list, if we had wanted to...

    I'm totally ok with my mom not being there, but my cousins were really rude about it.

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  • S
    Beginner September 2019
    Stacy ·
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    Hi Rebecca, I am so sorry and know how this can feel. Hang in there and enjoy your time with the people who are coming

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