Wedding Details

[minnew 4]

So here's a question for you all....

When you're doing the guest list, you get your number of invites to send out, etc. But how do you know the approximate amount of guests will actually be there? We have to give our approx. guest count to whatever venue place we choose upon signing the contract, yet it's hard to do that because there are so many "maybes" due to out of towners.... and then you only give the final count a few weeks before.... So I could be way off in guessing how many guests will actually be there. I'm inviting many of my Dad's friends he asked me to, but he said they definitely won't come. Knowing my luck they'll decide to

Generally, you would plan for a 10-15% drop off rate. But, I think with out of town guests, its more like 25-30%.

If I were you, I would sort your guest list by the ones you know for sure, the ones that are maybes and then maybe the ones that are going to most likely be nos. Then I would find a room that fits all the Yes and maybe 85% of the maybes... that way if you have some maybes not come and then some of the Nos come, you'll be okay.

We got really lucky with our room. The minimum is 100 people and the maximum is 300. The reason is because we paid them a hefty room rental fee. But, the food/alcohol per head was much lower than any other place, so when you add them together, it was what you would normally pay a hall here. Obviously it gets more expensive per head when our guest list drops, but at least we're safe if a lot of out out of town guests don't come.

Or, I think your best bet is to find a room that fits 85% of your guestlist - that will accept a low minimum, like maybe 65% of your list.

That's a good idea Sapphire - I think theknot lets you sort your guest list that way, I'll get started on that. I love theknot.com!

I second that I have my guest list saved there and I can export it to a spreadsheet when it comes time to address! I can even sort rehearsal dinner guest, out of towners (which is almost everyone)lol, children,etc. I am going to do an online RSVP too, the postage and mailing between US and Canada has me and my fiance frustrated, we will do email RSVP as well, its a small wedding with only 60-80 people, its just easier that way for us, everyone on my guest list has an email address and knows how to send one, or enter a website.

[It's me 1]

[Hugglebuggles 60]

That's smart! I didn't plan things out that well. Originally, we were thinking that only 35-40 people would be able to make it, which was totally fine. But the last couple months or so, everyone has been coming out of nowhere asking when the wedding is and if they're invited. So now the guest list is at 65 and the room I have booked only fits 50... Here's hoping no more than 50 decide to show up! That will be interesting... The venue has a bunch of different banquet rooms with different capacity's, so maybe they would let me switch if the guest list gets to big... but I think we'll be alright. Its so hard not knowing how many people will be able to make it. I'm finding that a lot of people who said they probably wouldn't be able to come are now making arrangements to come out, and the people who were enthusiastic and asked to be invited because they really wanted to come are backing out. To make it worse, my grandpa's health has deteriorated over the past couple months and they won't be able to make the long trip... Now none of my grandparents can come

[CDAgirlMI 51]

wow...what a thread. we're still early in the visa process, but trying to decide on a few things when it comes to the wedding.

hey July09Bride...wanna plan my wedding? It'll be in Michigan. LOL

I'm thinking of having the reception at Frankenmuth.

[JillA 2]

OK you guys I'm SO excited.... remember how I said I found the most wonderful venue, it was everything I wanted and more, but they said we needed 140 people.... the lady called me today to say she spoke to the manager, and if we can guarantee 80, it's ours!! We will have b/w 80-100, so I'm thrilled! I think we'll book it tomorrow, I just have to confirm with Glen when he gets home...

[SapphireDreams 71]

OK you guys I'm SO excited.... remember how I said I found the most wonderful venue, it was everything I wanted and more, but they said we needed 140 people.... the lady called me today to say she spoke to the manager, and if we can guarantee 80, it's ours!! We will have b/w 80-100, so I'm thrilled! I think we'll book it tomorrow, I just have to confirm with Glen when he gets home...

That's amazing news Jill! I love when places work with you. Sometimes all you have to do is walk away, which can be hard! But it can definitely pay off. Then, if by chance all your no's say yes, you are covered!

[Hugglebuggles 60]

Yay Jill that's great!! How about some pictures?

[JillA 2]

Yay Jill that's great!! How about some pictures?

Thanks, I'm happy because we've seen many other venues and can't find one we really like...

Here is the website with pics! http://www.celebrationsweddings.com/gallery.htm

The bottom pic is where we'd get married outside....

[Hugglebuggles 60]

Yay Jill that's great!! How about some pictures?

Thanks, I'm happy because we've seen many other venues and can't find one we really like...

Here is the website with pics! http://www.celebrationsweddings.com/gallery.htm

The bottom pic is where we'd get married outside....

That's such a gorgeous place!! Ahhh, you're wedding is going to be so lovely! And its all inclusive too, even better! Less headache for you.

[JillA 2]

Yay Jill that's great!! How about some pictures?

Thanks, I'm happy because we've seen many other venues and can't find one we really like...

Here is the website with pics! http://www.celebrationsweddings.com/gallery.htm

The bottom pic is where we'd get married outside....

That's such a gorgeous place!! Ahhh, you're wedding is going to be so lovely! And its all inclusive too, even better! Less headache for you.

That's one of the main reasons I loved it - how nice it is, but the all-in factor is the best! Most places you have to add on tax and gratuities.... also this offers 5 hours open bar, the other places I've seen all offer 4....

[July09Bride 1]

wow...what a thread. we're still early in the visa process, but trying to decide on a few things when it comes to the wedding.

hey July09Bride...wanna plan my wedding? It'll be in Michigan. LOL

I'm thinking of having the reception at Frankenmuth.

Hmmm... maybe... I'm having SO much fun with this!!!

[July09Bride 1]

Ordered napkins today... ordered the final "piece" of randomness needed for us to enter as a couple at the reception... checked on our free 3-day/2-night stay request that I had to mail from MI to Vancouver it took a while to clear customs - but the paperwork is on its way!!!

Mailing the last of thank you notes tomorrow... mailing invites THURSDAY!!!!! YEA!!!!!!!!!

[chadlaure 2]

wow...what a thread. we're still early in the visa process, but trying to decide on a few things when it comes to the wedding.

hey July09Bride...wanna plan my wedding? It'll be in Michigan. LOL

I'm thinking of having the reception at Frankenmuth.

Hmmm... maybe... I'm having SO much fun with this!!!

Michigan is famous lately... Another one of us

We found our officiant today. We had booked the cereomony, reception sites and photograph last week. I bought my dress and he bought his suit.

We have sent save the dates and the invitations are coming in the mail next week.

We're getting the champagne this week

Everything is planning slowly... Except I didnt receive my visa yet

Edited May 20, 2009 by chadlaure

[Hugglebuggles 60]

Organza or Satin chair sashes?

[minnew 4]

That's smart! I didn't plan things out that well. Originally, we were thinking that only 35-40 people would be able to make it, which was totally fine. But the last couple months or so, everyone has been coming out of nowhere asking when the wedding is and if they're invited. So now the guest list is at 65 and the room I have booked only fits 50... Here's hoping no more than 50 decide to show up! That will be interesting... The venue has a bunch of different banquet rooms with different capacity's, so maybe they would let me switch if the guest list gets to big... but I think we'll be alright. Its so hard not knowing how many people will be able to make it. I'm finding that a lot of people who said they probably wouldn't be able to come are now making arrangements to come out, and the people who were enthusiastic and asked to be invited because they really wanted to come are backing out. To make it worse, my grandpa's health has deteriorated over the past couple months and they won't be able to make the long trip... Now none of my grandparents can come

Yikes! I hope that does not happen to us! I think I may have to cut down our guest list and have an A and B list. I really do not like the fact that we are having "courtesy" invites to those that we know won't come, thanks to both of our parents.. But some of those are also our friends. Our room only holds 80, currently our guest list is at 110. I think we will be lucky if we get 60. Some of those are OOT single guests "with" a guest. There have already been people say that they won't be able to come so I am factoring in those, I just hope that their situation won't change! I thought weddings where everyone has to travel will cut down those who show!