Not meeting guarantee- people afraid to fly in .

Not meeting guarantee- people afraid to fly in .

I have not been back too many times to this page since my 2/17/01 wedding , but my SIL is getting married next weekend and she ran into a problem . I though someone may have some suggestions . My SIL guaranteed the Westbury Manor 175 people . But because of the recent events ( 9/11) , there are a lot of people ( her FI''s family ) that will not fly over from Ireland . he is originally from Ireland and has a lot of family still there including his sister ( scheduled to do a reading ) and his nieces ( the flower girls ) . Also her cousin is in the Navy and he is on a ship somewhere and unable to come . She called the Westbury Manor and they would not be flexible AT ALL . They said no matter what has happened they still have a business to run . They did offer to throw in an ice sculpture and an extra pasta station , but that is not the point . If she wanted those things in the first place , she would have gotten then . She is about 15 people short of the guarantee . With everything else going on , this is the last thing she needs to deal with . Has anyone else had this issue ?

Not meeting guarantee- people afraid to fly in .

Can she come up with a list of people who were not orignially invited and understand without hurt feelings why they were omitted but would be equally as happy that there was now room when she explains how the recent events have allowed her to open up the guest list?

ie: co-workers, dates for single guests, distant relatives, friends of parents, etc.

I think it would be perfectly acceptable to call and graciously explain how she had wanted them originally but had to defer to family members to keep within the room size, but now that they are not flying in, there is room, and how she'd love to have them attend.

Not meeting guarantee- people afraid to fly in .

We had that problem at my 9/15 wedding. We paid for the amount of people we were sure of up front -- and paid for the difference on the night of the wedding. The catering manager worked with us.

I think that asking a few people who were not originally invited is a great idea. We did invite some people ourselves who we originally did not because we knew we had space.

Not meeting guarantee- people afraid to fly in .

i like the idea of inviting more cowrokers or friends of parents or children/guests of dates or old college/hs friends. Maybe she could figure out the amount of money and ask for extra time. remember count the vendors and kids into the number. they will be full price, but if the plate is going to be wasted anyway, you might as well put them in there instead.

Thanks

thanks for all the ideas. She did include the band and invited some more people from work . She is just afraid that asking people at the last minute may look like she is looking for a gift . I suggested that if she has any plates paid for above her real number to ask them to wrap up the entrees and donate them to the local shelter . Is that tacky ?

Thanks

Not at all, they might even be willing to give her a few meals in the form of gift certificates. It dosent hurt to ask.

Thanks

I have heard some halls will not donate to a food shelter, but you can always have them pack it up for you and give it to a family member. But definately ask the hall if they donate.