Under Minimum....What kinds of stuff did/are you girls get thrown in?

Definitely looks like we are going to be under our minimum.

I know every RH is different and everyone is going to tell me 'Ask your BM'

but I want to go into that meeting with some knowledge of what the norm is for 'throw ins' and what I can ask for.

Would love to know:
1. How below your minimum you were ($$ wise aka # of people x per head price)
2. What they offered?
3. Anything you asked for in addition?

Thanks ladies!

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Posted by dawnie

They didn't throw in anything. I was allowed to use my vendor meals towards the minimum. That is all.

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That really s-ucks. My vendor meals are 40% of the price of the regular meals, I cant imagine using the leftover $$ from my minimum for the vendors. Ugh!!

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Posted by melbalalala

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Posted by dawnie

They didn't throw in anything. I was allowed to use my vendor meals towards the minimum. That is all.

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That really s-ucks. My vendor meals are 40% of the price of the regular meals, I cant imagine using the leftover $$ from my minimum for the vendors. Ugh!!

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99% of halls do this - they begin to count any children and vendors at the whole price.

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Posted by ChrissynRicky

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Posted by melbalalala

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Posted by dawnie

They didn't throw in anything. I was allowed to use my vendor meals towards the minimum. That is all.

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That really s-ucks. My vendor meals are 40% of the price of the regular meals, I cant imagine using the leftover $$ from my minimum for the vendors. Ugh!!

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99% of halls do this - they begin to count any children and vendors at the whole price.

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That is GREAT to know.. I never saw that coming!!! Thanks!

my cousin was under her minimum at the Carltun
they included kids and vendors and she was still 20 under so they packaged up 20 meals to take home. . . didnt help them bc they went on their HM but we all enjoyed it!

ETA: good luck! i will prob be under my minimum too!

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Posted by ChrissynRicky

A friend of mine got married last week, and was short about 6-8 guests below her minimum. Her hall was extremely unreasonable - and they ended up paying for their entire minimum, as stated on the contract. The only flexibility was that she didn't end up paying for her vendors.

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I guess I don'ts ee how that's extremely unreasonable. I mean, it's great when RHs DO throw in things for people who are below their minimum... but the minimum number of guests was a contractual agreement. I hardly think it's extremely unreasonable for a RH to stick to a contract for someone who is about 6-8 below the minimum. Yes, it would be nice if they did something about it, but I don't think it's extremely unreasonable to stick to the contract. JMHO.

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Posted by Kara and Todd

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Posted by ChrissynRicky

A friend of mine got married last week, and was short about 6-8 guests below her minimum. Her hall was extremely unreasonable - and they ended up paying for their entire minimum, as stated on the contract. The only flexibility was that she didn't end up paying for her vendors.

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I guess I don'ts ee how that's extremely unreasonable. I mean, it's great when RHs DO throw in things for people who are below their minimum... but the minimum number of guests was a contractual agreement. I hardly think it's extremely unreasonable for a RH to stick to a contract for someone who is about 6-8 below the minimum. Yes, it would be nice if they did something about it, but I don't think it's extremely unreasonable to stick to the contract. JMHO.

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Well, I was under the impression that I was contractually obligated to pay $xxxx that night to have my wedding there. They HAVE to make that amount of money to justify a Saturday night wedding. it wasnt necessarily an obligation to have X# of people just to pay that much money and they would 'work with me'. Of course ,I couldnt get any of this in writing so it will be interesting to see what goes down.

Okay, to clarify. You SHOULD ask for extras to be thrown in if you are having your wedding there.

However, if they are sticking to their guns to stick only to what the contract states, that's their right. It makes them less competitive with other RHs who will work with someone way under their minimum, but I don't think it's completely unreasonable - especially if it's only a few people.

I know people have had things like chair covers or menu upgrades thrown in, depending on the number of people they are under... but if it's just a few people, the cost of any extra may not be worth it to the RH to throw that in for the extra $.

Hope that makes sense. OF COURSE you should ask and if you're way under, I think you should get something thrown in. However, the RH doesn't have to do any more than what's in the contract.

My point was that in the example given of being 6 people under the minimum, I don't see how it is 'extremely unreasonable' for the RH to stick to the contractual obligations.

We have to be careful when we sign ANYTHING. They are only bound to what's in writing -- so many people don't read the contract before signing or assume that any RH will just put that aside and do something else if something goes wrong along the way. It's nice when they DO help out when things go wrong, but they don't HAVE to. It was more of a warning to those who haven't booked yet to get everything in writing - because when it comes down it, that's all you're entitled to. People need to pay attention to the agreement so that, if something does go wrong, and they DON'T work with you outside the written agreement, then you know in advance what can happen.

Of course, I think it's generally good business to accommodate people somehow whenver possible -- but they are only bound by the words of the contract.

And I do apologize for going off-point. It was not my intention to sabotage or derail your thread.

I do know people who have gotten chair covers thrown in, menu upgrades, or meals to take home when they were way under their minimum (20-30 people). I know others who got nothing.

I'd have a long chat with the BM to see what they can do. If you're way under, it would be nice to at least get something for that extra money!!

Add up the price per head of the # you are under your minimum and get a total. Compare that to what the extras cost to add onto your contract... Find something in that range (though under so the hall still makes a profit) and see if that can be added. If you've done the math / research and are making reasonable requests, I'd bet you have more success getting something thrown to make up for the extra money!

Good luck! I really hope they work with you.

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Posted by Kara and Todd


And I do apologize for going off-point. It was not my intention to sabotage or derail your thread.

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Oh please! Don't apologize!! When I throw out a thread like this I WANT everyones brutally honest opinions...

I don't want to go in there demanding the world and sounding ridiculous, so your input has been really helpful!!!

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Posted by LaurenluvsTJ

We were under.. we counted kids and vendors and were still under, so they gave us an upgrade to our menu to make up for the difference in money.

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same here. we were about 12 under our minimum and they worked with us. but our BM said if it was something like 2 or 3 people then there wasnt much that he could do. but 12 was equivalent to about $1200 so he had to throw in something.

I wasn't under my minimum, but I know that my hall would count the vendors and children's meals towards the total and then above that they packaged up the meals.

We had two no shows and they packaged up the meals. You could always donate them if it is a lot, I am sure meals on wheels would love to have them.

It is always upsetting when a hall won't 'work' with a couple, but honestly people sometimes do not understand that you sign a contract and agree to a minimum they really do not have to do ANYTHING for you. Stinks, but that's the truth.

Hopefully, they will work something out for you.

We were about 25 below our minimum. We got free chair covers and chocolate fountain thrown in. I had a DOC and she did the negotiating, so I don't know what all conspired. But I was a good/very organized bride. I figured my rate per person incl tax & grat multiplied that by the # of people I was short (25). I then figured out what extras I could get, as I was provided with a list of the extras and their cost.

Most places will not negotiate this until you give final head count. I tried to get ideas of what could be done at my 6 weeks menu appt--was told I would do that w/ maitre'd the week before.