Giving final headcount to caterer

So I will be calling in the final headcount to WM next week, we def met our min number of people but I've heard that it is still good to give them a lesser count and not the actual guest count you have because some people who RSVP'd YES might still not show up...what's the possibility of that? I know WM mentioned that it is easier to add people than subtract because once we give the final count we will be paying for that number of people even if some guests don't show up. What's your take on this one ladies?

Re: Giving final headcount to caterer

i have a while to go but i would like to tag on this question-- if you go over, when do you pay for that? the night of? do you get billed?

Re: Giving final headcount to caterer

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Posted by lauren1802

i have a while to go but i would like to tag on this question-- if you go over, when do you pay for that? the night of? do you get billed?

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I think it depends on the caterer but I know most of them would like to receive the payment that night as well. On our part we actually overpaid our RH because we anticipated 130 people going and we only have 123 including us and vendors so hopefully any additional guests they'll just take it from that or they give us the money back.

Re: Giving final headcount to caterer

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Posted by JuneBug86

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Posted by lauren1802

i have a while to go but i would like to tag on this question-- if you go over, when do you pay for that? the night of? do you get billed?

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I think it depends on the caterer but I know most of them would like to receive the payment that night as well. On our part we actually overpaid our RH because we anticipated 130 people going and we only have 123 including us and vendors so hopefully any additional guests they'll just take it from that or they give us the money back.

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If they aren't planning on giving you your money back, I would ask them to do some upgrades during cocktail hour or an extra dessert maybe?