Venues

Typically they’ll just charge you for 50 people even though you don’t have that many.

What Caytlyn said. Sometimes you can use that money on upgrades to the menu or bar or something. Try calling the venue. Emails can get buried or someone can see it, intend to respond later, and then forget.

I would call the venue and make sure you have an answer on this, every venue is different. You may just have to pay for those extra people even if they don't show up.

We had a similar issue. We were required to spend $7,000 on just food and beverage. We had a ton of people decline and were only at like $6,000 so we added a late night snack to meet our minimum. I called and spoke with our venue and that's what they suggested. Since they haven't replied to your email, I would call.

If you don’t need the minimum, you can add a few “extras” to meet the required minimum spend like premium bar, extra appetizers, late snack or if they have any items to rent (heaters, fire pit, uplights).

Your contract should say what happens if you don't meet your minimum. I don't see how they can even enforce a minimum if they don't lay it out in the contract. Consult that, then give the venue a call. Emails are too easy to ignore. It's harder to ignore someone on the phone.