Under headcount

My venue does the same thing! You just have to spend that much! Our minimum was 100 we only had 76. Talk to the venue though because mine also let me add extra desserts and snacks since there was less people to bring the cost to the same as 100

Basically, if you don't have the minimum of guests, you will just be paying for the minimum and not use it.

It sucks, but it's not like you won't have the event. You were expecting to pay at least the minimum anyway.

We were under our minimum by about 10 and the venue let us upgrade the food and bar and add late night snacks.

Have you included all vendors in count?

If it's a minimum in food and beverage then you will have to meet that minimum. So if there is a price per person that is what you would probably meet. Example of the price per person is $100 in F AND B then you would need to spend $7500.......so if you are at 70 people you need to make up $500. You could do that by adding an app or two, adding to the bar. This is how it works at my work.

Usually min just means you'll be charged for that many whether or not they show.