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M
Just Said Yes August 2018

Too many people, not enough seats?

Mads, on August 7, 2018 at 12:45 PM Posted in Wedding Reception 0 14
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Hello! My wedding is quickly approaching, next week! So crazy, feels like it’s taken forever to get to this point. Anyways, the place we have rented for our reception can only hold about a 175 people, although it has been up to atleast 250 with past weddings I’ve gone too there and also other events they hold. We have about 220 people who rsvp’d back that they ARE attending. So now my mother and I are just really worried about seating and if there will even be enough. There is also little tables in the bar area as well. Mostly everyone I talk to about this says not to worry at all, just let everything to fall into place like it’s supposed too. But here I am, still stressing. Especially since there is family on my fathers side who didn’t RSVP but told them that they are coming and we didn’t even count them into the head count for the caterer. And we really don’t want to go hire than 220 cause that’s just expensive. So we are also worried about running out of food too. ADVICE please!!!

14 Comments

Latest activity by Emma, on August 15, 2018 at 8:48 AM
  • Nemo
    Master August 2018
    Nemo ·
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    You need to contact everyone that didn't respond so you can add them into the headcount. You need to have a seat and enough food for everyone, it doesn't matter that it is expensive because you should plan on everyone attending anyway. Have you talked to your venue's coordinator? What have they said?

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  • Heather
    Super April 2019
    Heather ·
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    You should’ve thought about all of this when you scheduled your place and sent invites out. You need to contact everyone and find out who is coming and have a seat and food for everyone.
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  • FutureMrsKC
    Master January 2019
    FutureMrsKC ·
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    You shouldn't have invited more people than you could afford. Or could seat. Contact everyone and ask if they are coming or not. If they are and you need more seats you need to rent them or find a way to make it work. You invited them, you need to accommodate them. Get exact answers from people, then go from there.

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  • H
    Beginner January 2019
    Hannah ·
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    I've been to weddings where there is standing spaces with chairs along walls. Not everyone wants to sit through a ceremony and then again through an entire reception. If it's a full meal, then I agree with the others, they need seats. If it's just small snacks, taller tables near those standing areas would be nice.
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  • B
    Super May 2019
    B11 ·
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    You need to have a “yes” or “no” from everyone invited. You also need to give your venue an accurate headcount. There are often fire codes that determine the amount of people allowed in the venue. The venue may not allow you to go over that number.
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  • H
    Expert July 2019
    Hannah ·
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    I agree that you need to make sure you have food for everyone. I know a lot of caterers make a certain percent of overs just in case so hopefully your good there. As for the seating, for me it depends on what kind of food style you are doing. If its plated and served then you definitely need seats for everyone. But if you are doing a buffet or small food type, then you could get away with having high tops for people to stand around.

    My sister did more of like a buffet with lots of different apps. They had a various amount of low tables and high tables. They really wanted it casual with people up mingling. This worked pretty well. But everyone needs a spot to be able to put down their plate and drink while eating. And make sure any older people have spots to sit.
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  • LB
    Champion November 2016
    LB ·
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    You 100% need a seat for every butt. Call your venue ASAP and see if they have a solution. Also, you need a solid headcount. Start calling people.

    To other brides, NEVER invite more guests than your venue can hold. "no" RSVPs are not guaranteed.

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  • MrsD
    Legend July 2019
    MrsD ·
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    I assume things won't fall into place if there isn't enough seating? You need to have seating for all your guests, and tell your caterer the real headcount (they will need this even for plates & silverware).

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  • Mcskipper
    Master July 2018
    Mcskipper ·
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    Uhhh you should be worried and problem solving NOT “letting everything fall into place” — things don’t just fall into place when you may have almost 50 too few chairs. Have you spoken to the venue? Do they have extra chairs? If not, you need to find somewhere to rent them from. Same for tables. Do they have additional tables? This is not a thing you can just “let be” this is a thing you need to make sure is sorted before guests show up and have no place to sit. Contact your venue ASAP
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  • OrangeCrush
    Super October 2017
    OrangeCrush ·
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    Mads. no one is rude they are just being blunt because time is not on your side here - you need to get on the phone and ask people if they are coming. No one wants to stand during a ceremony, no one wants to stand and eat. Sadly, letting things "fall into place" is not working.

    Brides here have given solid advice. Not enough food nor chairs is a BIG DEAL.

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  • Jennifer
    Master September 2018
    Jennifer ·
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    Yikes! I would be super stressing as well. My question to you is if the venue holds only up to 175 why did you invite over 220? I would figure out a solution with the venue asap so you can stop stressing! Everything will fall into place as long as you have a seat, food, and drink for all of your guests.

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  • Neffe
    Master July 2020
    Neffe ·
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    Hi Mads! Have you figured out a solution for this situation? I would love to know! Hope everything is going well!!

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  • E
    Devoted October 2018
    Emma ·
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    Just wondering if your head count would be considered a fire safety issue? You're already 25% over capacity of your room. Just mentioning it because most rooms have max capacity allowed numbers because of fire regulations

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