Past brides (or anybody): what to do when you're not close to your minimum (negotiation ideas)

Okay, so many people have dropped out of our wedding (4 from BP alone, which then includes their family, yadda, yadda) It looks like we are going to be about 25-30 people short of the minimum. There is no time to invite more people.

I need ideas on what I can ask the hall for. (I have no problem paying for the minimum, but we're trying to see what we can get for the extra couple of thousand we're paying for no reason now.) We've thought about asking for an extra hour. Maybe a chocolate fountain. Any ideas? Anybody go through this? TIA!

Re: Past brides (or anybody): what to do when you're not close to your minimum (negotiation ideas)

You can ask that the extra be paid toward all the tips you would normally be paying. My sister did that, then they actually cut my parents a check the day before the wedding with the difference, which I thought was a totally awesome thing to do that they didn't need to. I would ask if you REALLY have to pay for those people. It never hurts to ask.

Re: Past brides (or anybody): what to do when you're not close to your minimum (negotiation ideas)

Great! Ladies, please help me with ideas!!!!!!!!!

Re: Past brides (or anybody): what to do when you're not close to your minimum (negotiation ideas)

I would see if they can upgrade your cocktail hour or throw in the vienesse if you don't already have one.

Re: Past brides (or anybody): what to do when you're not close to your minimum (negotiation ideas)

You could see if they would add an hour onto your reception to make it 5 hours instead of 4.

ETA: just saw in your original post that you thought of that. I really do like that idea since the day will fly by anyways. More time to party!

Re: Past brides (or anybody): what to do when you're not close to your minimum (negotiation ideas)

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Posted by glinda_goodwitch

You could see if they would add an hour onto your reception to make it 5 hours instead of 4.

ETA: just saw in your original post that you thought of that. I really do like that idea since the day will fly by anyways. More time to party!

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I do that all the time.

My shower ended up being almost 4 hours, so that's why we really want to add an hour. Time is good.

Re: Past brides (or anybody): what to do when you're not close to your minimum (negotiation ideas)

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Posted by WedHead

I would see if they can upgrade your cocktail hour or throw in the vienesse if you don't already have one.

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I would a gree with her upgrade cocktail hr

Re: Past brides (or anybody): what to do when you're not close to your minimum (negotiation ideas)

yes, definitely see if you can upgrade somewhere, apply towards tips, anything that maybe you haven't opted for yet...oh, i hope you haven't already gone for the max.....but definitely, shoot for something!! you never know until you ask.

Re: Past brides (or anybody): what to do when you're not close to your minimum (negotiation ideas)

sorry to hear you're not gonna make the minimum!

but i'd ask for a chocolate fountain--perhaps your hall as a 'premier' menu or special add-ins for the CH like a raw bar or specialty station (like a sushi station, fajita stations, etc.) a lot of halls have these.

how about extending the CH? that way you can have extra time for pics and people can mingle.

perhaps ice sculptures? my hall has that--but it costs extra.

maybe a menu upgrade for dinner? add'l desert items or full vienesse hour?

so many options! hope you get something extra out of it!

Re: Past brides (or anybody): what to do when you're not close to your minimum (negotiation ideas)

Great ideas! I hope they work. Anybody else? Has anybody actually had to do this?