Just Say “No” … Please?

Just Say “No” … Please?

August 30th, 2007 @ 2:47 pm by Mrs. Eggplant

The responses have been steadily arriving for our wedding. I’m happy to report that almost everyone has said “yes”!

However, while I’m ecstatic that our friends and family can share in our day, I’m also a bit concerned. I actually budgeted for at least a 10% decline rate from our guests, meaning I invited 200 people with the expectation that 180 would be able to make it. Out of seventy-seven replies, only four have declined, three of which I already knew could not come. Most of the guests who have not yet responded are close friends and family that I know will be attending for sure. In the past weeks, I’ve also added unexpected seats to our guest list, like my ring bearer’s baby sitter and a few infants. The babies will not be included for a meal headcount but will still need a space at the table.

The problem is, our venue has size constraints and if we have a guest list of over 180, we’ll need to make use of an awkward “L” section of the banquet room that I was hoping to leave empty. This section is removed and out of sight from the other areas of the banquet room. I’m worried that anyone assigned to the “L” corner will feel neglected or “less important” than the other guests. Oh, the politics of seating arrangements!

Mr. Eggplant has already decided to rent a second projector and screen if we need to utilize the “L” section. With another screen, at least all guests will be able partake in the slideshow and various other media elements that we’ll be incorporating. We’re also thinking about performing the evening’s activities on different areas of the room so that we can be near everyone at some point in the night (cake cutting on one side, first dance and bouquet toss on the other side, etc.).

Does anyone else have venue constraints? What creative solutions have you used to deal with them?

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10 Responses to “Just Say “No” … Please?”

Member

HamiHarri (message) 24 posts, Newbee

We also have room/budget contraints…currently I am hoping that at least 10-20 people decline….wish I had some more suggestions…LOL…I guess we might have been able to avoid this if we either A: Had chosen a larger venue…B: Didn’t invite as many ppl..LOL….but obviously that isn’t helpful at this point!

8/30/07 @ 2:55 pm (reply)

Guest

dee

Maybe you could put the dance floor there and have dancing in a separate room.

8/30/07 @ 2:56 pm (reply)

Member

Jackpot76 (message) 2 posts, Wannabee

The good news is that people who say yes tend to RSVP early and the nos RSVP later. I mean, everyone feels bad saying no, no matter what and do not just jauntily fill out the card with a big fat no and send it off. At first, we were concerned with the same thing because everyone was coming back yes. It all evened out at the end. We estimated 75 and we are exactly at 75.

8/30/07 @ 3:01 pm (reply)

Member

mrsngohitter (message) 7 posts, Newbee

for our wedding we had a restriction of 250 people but we ended up inviting close to 300. we also got a lot of yes’s in the beginning, but like others have said, more no’s come in the end. Plus some people who thought they could come end up saying they can’t. We ended up with only about 220 people. but each case does differ. hopefully you’ll be able to keep it at 180 so you don’t have to deal with all that comes with more than 180!

8/30/07 @ 3:05 pm (reply)

Guest

Lori

I’ve got space restraints by revenue minimums! The place doesn’t really hold many more than 125 (they say 150, but whatever). However, we need a minimum 125 revenue.

Last check - we have 91 people. We’ll probably break a hundred and use the rest on upgrades…

8/30/07 @ 3:19 pm (reply)

Guest

Ms. Albatross

you are going to be fine. the only way it woln’t work is if you let people add on uninviteds.

if you run just a few people over with the babies, i would squish them into the table you have. they woln’t need place settings or other stuff that takes up table space, and some will probably be sleeping in their pram and can be pushed a little outside of the seating area at the table.

8/30/07 @ 3:30 pm (reply)

Guest

Vivian

Maybe you can put the children and the babysitters in the farthest tables (in the L space).

We have yet to get that far, but I am limited to 100 -120 max capacity. I HOPE people don’t wait til last minute to RSVP “No” b/c I would want to give those spaces to more friends we couldn’t invite due to space.

8/30/07 @ 3:48 pm (reply)

Member

kandaceandjason (message) 24 posts, Newbee

What if you maxed out the L-space with as many place settings as possible, put reserved signs up for the family and wedding party, and let everyone else choose their own seats? That way, whoever got stuck in the corner wouldn’t blame it on you!

8/30/07 @ 4:38 pm (reply)

Guest

brooke

I agree with several above posters. When we started getting RSVPs, they were all “accepts with pleasure,” and I was getting really concerned about the budget. But, as time has gone on, the declines are coming in and I think we’ll be ok. Don’t get too worried, you’ll be fine.

8/30/07 @ 4:55 pm (reply)

10.

Guest

Nathalee

I was in the same boat, but everyone is right, the declines come later. Sit tight and try not to fret, it will most likely turn out just fine!