Venue Final Headcount Too Early

That is INSANELY early--was this discussed prior? Can you review your contract? I'd definitely review that document and work with the venue; they've got to know that no one is going to be able to definitively RSVP that early.

That's insanely early, yikes. Why do they need to know that far in advance? I've never heard of a venue needing a headcount more than a month in advance... like what are they going to do in that 2 month period...?

Can you try to negotiate and ask them if you can like guarantee a minimum at that 2 month mark, but then still could add more if necessary? Like at 2 months you could say "we'll be having at least 100 people" but then later on you could say actually it's 115 or something?

Well theoretically you could give them a final payment based on an estimated headcount which would be your minimum. Like if you could commit to 100 people attending, you'd pay your "final" balance based on 100 people. Then if more people end up coming you can just pay extra for them to be added on afterwards?

Idk if that'll work but it's just a suggestion to ask them if they are open to doing that. 2 months in advance is insane to hear back from everyone... usually invitations aren't even sent out until 2 months in advance...

Maybe shes just avoiding the late rsvp by asking for them earlier, so she has a good idea of what to plan for. But I mean to have a good idea, and a final count are two different things.

I would call her and ask if they can push that. Two months in advance is insanely early.