We guaranteed 150 adults at the hall (Watermill) and we have 134 and we are getting married during the day on July 4th. Do you think I can negotiate for a vienniesse hour or something? We have 6 kids as well coming to the wedding. FI and I have invited extras already, but now we don't know what to do. What is everyone else doing that do not have enough people?
UPDATE: Ok, I just spoke with one of the Banquet Managers at the Watermill (Brian). I was so mad when he was the one that picked up the call as I have spoken to him before and he was sooo mean! Once again, he was totally rude. I told him that I would be short 10 people and that was after the kids and vendors. He said that there is nothing that he can do for me as I guaranteed 150. I told him that I think it's wasted money and would like something in return. He said that they had a banquet manager get married there last month and he was short 40 people and paid up for it. Once I kept complaining, he said when I give my final headcount that he would ask his boss if there was anything he could do for me if I was under, but not to expect it as it has never been done before. I think he's full of it. He could have at least been nice about it. Are banquet managers the ones that are the maitre de's at the wedding??? If so, I need to make sure that I request not to have him!
shannon326
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Re: Don't have enough people!
I WOULD TRY TO NEGOTIATE WITH THE WATERMILL. THEY ARE NOT GOING TO WANT A DISSATISFIED BRIDE. LET US KNOW HOW IT TURNS OUT.
Scoop
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Re: Don't have enough people!
I'm sure they can work something out..maybe an extra station during cocktail or extra dessert with the cake.
eternityawaits
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Re: Don't have enough people!
did you also consider feeding the band/dj/photographers etc. in your head count? That could bring you up to your minimum.
julykbride
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Re: Don't have enough people!
Yes, we have 3 vendors to feed and then 6 kids, but they are a discounted price after we meet the 150. But including vendors and kids, we have 143 and we know that we'll have some no-shows. So I'm thinking that 140 or less. It's just such a waste of money to me since I tried so hard to save every which way, I feel like I don't want to pay for people who are not going to be there. I called the Watermill, but all of the managers were in a meeting. I'm going to call back in a couple of minutes.
julykbride
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Re: Don't have enough people!
bump
Sunny
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Re: Don't have enough people!
Call and speak to someone in charge. Don't wait until you give the final headcount. Actually- go in instead of calling. There has to be an owner or something that can give you an answer.
julykbride
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Re: Don't have enough people!
I guess I didn't realize that a Banquet Mgr. could not give me an answer. I live in San Diego, so I can't go over to talk to them there. Obviously they're not going to do anything for me at this point...it's not like I'm short 30 people. Too me it's just wasted money!
AlisonMT
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Re: Don't have enough people!
Hey Karen, I'm still in the same boat as you. We guaranteed 200 and only have 196 now and that's WITH 10 vendors. Wish I had some good advice for you (other than I'll try my best to make it! ) but hang in there and let me know what happens!!
LizD
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Re: Don't have enough people!
If they are unreasonable about giving you something else for that, make sure that since you are paying for those dinners that they make them TO GO , and you leave with them. Than maybe you and DH can enjoy a meal b4 you leave on your honeymoon, and if not at least some family or friends can.
cw0904
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Re: Don't have enough people!
Don't you have just one banquet manager? I mean when you signed the contract didn't you speak with one person other than this loser? I would only speak to the person you signed the contract with. Sometimes when I call Chateau Briand and my BM isn't available, they say I can speak to someone else. But I refuse. The other BM's don't know my whole deal ya know?
I would suggest calling to speak with your BM directly and letting him/her know how rude this person was to you. Then try to negotiate something. You shouldn't have been treated that way! After this person's rude behaviour, you should receive something. Good Luck
LisaW
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Re: Don't have enough people!
Thats terrible.
We were short also (about 10 people) and they added on a cigar and cordial bar!!!
julykbride
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Re: Don't have enough people!
When I chose the menu, I met with a nice woman who is a Banquet Manager there. My mom is going to call tomorrow and talk to her. Not sure if anything will happen at this point.
Julybaby
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Re: Don't have enough people! UPDATE LONG
Good luck and keep us posted! It seems that the brides that are getting married July 4th weekend (I'm a July 5 bride myself) are having problems meeting the minimum. We had to guarantee 125 people and so far we have 100! My father said that the reception hall should cook about 15 extra dinners because there will be people who will want seconds.
jenny2penny
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Re: Don't have enough people! UPDATE LONG
That makes no sense to not give you something in return. You are going to pay, so pay for something else. I can understand their possible reasons (don't want to make it a habit of people thinking that can do that at the hall)
But if it was me and they offer nothing in exchange,,,,, NO TIP!!!!
julykbride
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Re: Don't have enough people! UPDATE LONG
Julybaby,
So are you negotiating something with the hall or are you just going to pay for the meal and then take it home or let some guests have seconds?
alina
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Re: Don't have enough people! UPDATE LONG
We're under as well, and I am trying to work something out.
Guaranteed 100, only 88 attending
isopodi
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Re: Don't have enough people! UPDATE LONG
I got married at the watermill February 15, 2003. Unfortunately, I had miscounted the number of people we were going to have, and when I gave the final count gave one person to many (I said 185 people when we only expected 184). We had to guarantee them 175 which we did and then some. Brian was also my BM and he refused to take off the extra person. He said there was absolutely nothing he could do and the contract said that once we gave the final count, there was no turning back. Well, Brian knew that I was ****ed off. By the end of the night, I told him that he better make sure that my wedding was flawless if they were going to make me pay for people that weren't even there. He promised it would be. I was considering taking tip money out of what I was planning to give the Captain, Maitre D' and bridal attendant but I have to admit that the Watermill did such a wonderful job at my wedding that I decided not to. We ended up paying for about 4 dinners for people that were not there but my Husband made sure to tell all the guests to order seconds if they wanted to and my husband even ordered an extra dinner to go which we ate the next day.
Even though it is infuriating to have to pay for people who aren't there, I don't think you will have much luck getting anything back from the watermill, especially since you promised them 150 people. THey wouldn't even take one person off my bill and I had already met their 175 quote. If it helps, they really do a wonderful job. My guests still can't stop talking about how beautiful the Watermill is and how wonderful the food and service was. Good luck. Let me know what happens.
alina
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Re: Don't have enough people! UPDATE LONG
if my hall decides not to negotiate, matre'd will not get his tip!!! End of story... Wedding halls are not a repeat business, and we would already be overpaying them.
