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Devoted September 2021

Venue Minimums

Charlotte, on July 20, 2021 at 12:41 PM Posted in Planning 0 12

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When we booked our venue, they told us they had a minimum of 80 guests. With our current rsvps, I highly doubt we'll reach 80 guests. We'll honestly be lucky if we get 60...

Those who have done venues with minimums, was your venue willing to work with you? I'm thinking of ways we could spend the same amount but with less guests. The 80 guest minimum is adding up to be a little over $8,000. With 60 guests we'd be short $2,000. I can think of things to add to reach $8,000 but I'm worried our venue won't work with us.
Anyone have experience with this?!

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12 Comments

VIP May 2022
Jasmine S. · on July 20, 2021 at 12:43 PM
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Do you have a "B list" (less important people) that you could start inviting? Or could you give everybody a plus one, even single people?
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Master May 2019
Cyndy · on July 20, 2021 at 12:44 PM
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I would touch base with the venue right away and see if they are willing to work with you as many of them are as long as you meet the minimum. Good luck.
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Devoted September 2021
Charlotte · on July 20, 2021 at 12:45 PM
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No B list and everyone already has a plus one I'm kind of regretting a reception now...I don't mind having a smaller one but it's frustrating that we have a minimum to meet
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Super October 2022
Jessi · on July 20, 2021 at 12:47 PM
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I agree that you should reach out to your venue. They may allow you to have 60, you'll just have to pay as if you had 80 people. If that's something you're okay with then you're good to go. If it's just a minimum amount you have to spend with them then maybe you can add extras to make up the cost of the guests.
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Super July 2020
Cool · on July 20, 2021 at 12:59 PM
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If the minimum is 80 guests rather than $8k then I’m not sure they’ll allow you to allocate the money other places, but hopefully they are flexible. Most venues we met with that had a guest minimum said we would still have to pay for the 80 guests (example) even if our guest list was 50 people. Give them a call and let them know your concerns hopefully they can work with you.
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Devoted September 2021
Charlotte · on July 20, 2021 at 1:02 PM
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This is exactly what I'm worried about 😭 In which case, it is what it is but it just sucks thinking about $2k - $3k essentially being handed right over to our venue rather than being spent on guests
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Expert May 2022
Nisha · on July 20, 2021 at 1:47 PM
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I've never heard of this being a thing. Is it an all-inclusive venue that's supplying food/alcohol/decor, etc.?
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Devoted September 2021
Charlotte · on July 20, 2021 at 1:49 PM
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No decor is included but dinner and alcohol are included!! We're paying for everything else with outside vendors: DJ, cake, decor, etc
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Super July 2020
Cool · on July 20, 2021 at 2:02 PM
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Talk to the sooner rather than later. It definitely sucks. Maybe they could at least put that towards tips so you aren’t still expected to provide that. Ahhh good luck!
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VIP January 2020
Vicky · on July 20, 2021 at 3:05 PM
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It's pretty common that you can put the difference in cost towards upgrades like higher shelf liquor, more appetizers, an after-dinner snack, etc. Definitely ask what you can do with the $2-3K difference!
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Super September 2022
Ashlee · on July 20, 2021 at 5:43 PM
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Yeah I think it just depends on your venue's flexibility for it. Contact them. Maybe because of Covid they'll be willing to allow it to go towards other things, however a lot of places I looked at did have that stipulation that youre charged the difference if you don't meet the minimum and it would have been in any contract for those places. So in that case you would have to pay the 2k
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VIP August 2020
· on July 21, 2021 at 9:26 PM
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We didn't run into this issue, but I remember that when we were touring the venue, the coordinator talked about the ways we could meet the minimum if we didn't have enough guests (ours was a $ amount, it didn't mention guest count). Some of them were additional decor (like upgraded lighting, flatware, etc.) and a lot of them were food. You could give everyone more than one entree, add more hors d'oeurves/stations, include an extra dessert or late night snack...
If you can get them to do anything like that, it would probably feel more satisfying than just giving them extra money.
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