Boy, am I up the creek without a paddle!

Gosh where do I begin, ......We guaranteed 85 people for the reception. I had 70 and my FH had 40. He lives 5 hours from me. Everything was fine until his family decided to tell their relatives that we were going to have a 2nd reception by them. So now no one but immediate family which is only 4 is coming from his side. Why would they want to drive 5 hours when they can drive 20 minutes. Only 4 of my side is not coming for a total of 70 peolpe. We have no one else to invite and now it will cost us all that money for 15 people that won't be coming. I am so upset!! Why didn't they decide on a 2nd reception when we were planning this one? Just had to vent but if you have any suggestions it would be appreciated

Re: Boy, am I up the creek without a paddle!

that is frustrating....what about people from work or maybe friends you wanted to invite but couldn't.....
Is there anyway your FH could talk to his family about this whole 2nd reception thing...your wedding is a big event and well worth a 5 hour drive!
Best of Luck!!

Re: Boy, am I up the creek without a paddle!

I would speak with your FILs. Are they paying for this 2nd reception? If so maybe they could have helped pay for this one instead. Perhaps some of his family mentioned to his mother that they cannot afford to stay overnight or attend the wedding. I would speak with your FILs and just mention that you are both upset that so few people are attending.

Re: Boy, am I up the creek without a paddle!

how many vendors are you feeding? maybe you can make up for some of the lost people in their meals.

Re: Boy, am I up the creek without a paddle!

hey you can invite all of us! just kidding. do what Melissa said, see if it works out. just think of me. I have to guarentee 200! Hope i get that. I have 195 invited so far and am still working on the list.
Good Luck.

Re: Boy, am I up the creek without a paddle!

I like the idea of saying NO to the other reception!
If anyone is helping to pay for the 2nd reception, have them give you that money to pay for hotel rooms for out of towners to come here. I've heard girls say they were able to get their hall to upgrade the menu to help make up for it. I may not make my minimum either, but I'll feed all of my vendors & maybe let a few people bring their kids.
Good luck, let us know what happens!
Kelly

Re: Boy, am I up the creek without a paddle!

I think it was wrong of your FIL's to throw a 2nd a reception for their family. It's a shame so many of them said no to your wedding. I would be pretty upset.

You should talk with your FIL's and explain the situation. Tell them that you need their family to attend and maybe your FIL's can do something special for them while they're in town.

Re: Boy, am I up the creek without a paddle!

We cmae up short on our list too. We used our vendors to make up the difference and now are only 2 people short as opposed to 15.

Re: Boy, am I up the creek without a paddle!

think if old friends from HS or college...people from work...from your parents work...what about your FH's close friends? children?

people are flattered, even when you ask them late...we asked 6 people late and they were so excited to be asked...

aslo see if you can make a deal with your hall to include vendors...

Re: Boy, am I up the creek without a paddle!

Just to let you all know the Holiday Inn was very understanding and they will split the difference with us. Thank Goodness!!!

Re: Boy, am I up the creek without a paddle!

I'm glad they were able to work something out with you.

Re: Boy, am I up the creek without a paddle!/YABB

WHAT DID U SAY TO THESE LATE PEOPLE
I am in that predicament myself
my rsvp was aug 2 and we have about 14 couples outstanding!!!! why are people rude

Re: Boy, am I up the creek without a paddle!/YABB

Call your hall and explain. They may throw some stuff in for free, upgrade your menu or help with the costs in some ways.

Re: Boy, am I up the creek without a paddle!/YABB

tammy...I bet most of the no responses are either on their way or they are someone who has not gotten married yet...

the phone calls were very easy...(make mom, FH and FMIL do them...)

We were just wondering if you were coming to the wedding...

we had a wedding 3 weeks before ours (1 week AFTER the response date) and I made DH chase around all the people who hadn't responded..