Spinoff of 'No Shows'

Wedding999 Posted: Apr 18, 2008 11:56 AM

Spinoff of 'No Shows'

Is anyone planning on giving a headcount a few lower to cover the cancellations and no-shows.

From the post i just saw - its seems like almost everyone had at least a few people that either cancelled last minute or didnt show And thats alot of money wasted

My first wedding at the MICC - they actually told us to knock off 4 people from the final count b/c theres always a few that dont come.

Espo22 Posted: Apr 18, 2008 12:00 PM

Re: Spinoff of 'No Shows'

what if they do show up though and there are no seats for them? thats my fear about doing that. Or what if we give a lower number by 6 for example and only 3 are no show. The RH is going to set up the room according to your final headcount and if those guests do show up and theres no seats for them, the RH will have to move quick to set up places for them while the party is going on

cindyandkevin Posted: Apr 18, 2008 12:01 PM

Re: Spinoff of 'No Shows'

Yes, give them a count a few people lower than what you are expecting. You can always pay them more the day of, but if you overpay and people don't show the RH isn't going to refund you your money back.

missliss Posted: Apr 18, 2008 12:04 PM

Re: Spinoff of 'No Shows'

The RH can set up extra seats in like 2.2 seconds...I've seen it done so it's nothing to worry about. I lowballed and am glad I did. You'll most likely see the 'extras' at CH or at the ceremony so if you do and you know they're an extra, tell the Banquet Mgr as soon as you arrive at the RH. If you don't see them beforehand, like I said, they can set up an extra place setting in no time.

PegaLega Posted: Apr 18, 2008 12:10 PM

Re: Spinoff of 'No Shows'

I gave my RH our minimum knowing we were about 3 over...the day of the wedding once placecards were gone we knew who showed and who didnt-and it wound up being our number was perfect.

I would stick to your minimum if you are up or down by a few people-if you are over by alot then I would give a head count of just a few short

sophisticat13 Posted: Apr 18, 2008 12:10 PM

Re: Spinoff of 'No Shows'

After I read the 'no shows' I decided that I would (give a slightly lower headcount). It's easier and less costly for you to add on if need be than to prepay for people and have a few not show.

Espo22 Posted: Apr 18, 2008 12:10 PM

Re: Spinoff of 'No Shows'

Posted by missliss

The RH can set up extra seats in like 2.2 seconds...I've seen it done so it's nothing to worry about. I lowballed and am glad I did. You'll most likely see the 'extras' at CH or at the ceremony so if you do and you know they're an extra, tell the Banquet Mgr as soon as you arrive at the RH. If you don't see them beforehand, like I said, they can set up an extra place setting in no time.

ok if they can do it at CH that would be good, i wont be at CH so that will be tricky. I just dont want my guests to feel bad. I know i'd feel awkward if i had to stand around bc i had no seat and wait for them to do this

futuremrsfab Posted: Apr 18, 2008 12:16 PM

Re: Spinoff of 'No Shows'

I dont understand how you do less on a headcount- how do you set your tables up? how do you know which people wont attend.

roan126 Posted: Apr 18, 2008 12:52 PM

Re: Spinoff of 'No Shows'

Posted by futuremrsfab

I dont understand how you do less on a headcount- how do you set your tables up? how do you know which people wont attend.

Yeah that was my question too...I have to give them a seating chart with the number of people at each table..wouldnt they know how many people Im having?

futuremrsfab Posted: Apr 18, 2008 01:42 PM

Re: Spinoff of 'No Shows'

Posted by roan126

Posted by futuremrsfab

I dont understand how you do less on a headcount- how do you set your tables up? how do you know which people wont attend.

Yeah that was my question too...I have to give them a seating chart with the number of people at each table..wouldnt they know how many people Im having?

bumping for answers to this!

thelastresort Posted: Apr 18, 2008 02:23 PM

Re: Spinoff of 'No Shows'

I did my tables how I would had all 258 guests show up. I made seating cards for them just like normal.

When I went to the hall for my final payment, I paid for 253, thinking of 5 people who had the potential for not showing up. Low and behold, those 5 showed but 5 others did not for various reasons so it worked out perfectly.

My hall told me not to pay for the exact # of yeses and to account for no shows also. I imagine they wait to see how many dinners they serve, if you add on another hour, etc. before they have a total bill. Then, if they are short from what your final payment was a few days earlier, they will hit you up before you leave. However, I strongly doubt they will refund you if you overpay, so it's better to owe them then vice versa.

Wedding999 Posted: Apr 18, 2008 02:26 PM

Re: Spinoff of 'No Shows'

Posted by futuremrsfab

Posted by roan126

Posted by futuremrsfab

I dont understand how you do less on a headcount- how do you set your tables up? how do you know which people wont attend.

Yeah that was my question too...I have to give them a seating chart with the number of people at each table..wouldnt they know how many people Im having?

bumping for answers to this!

Well my hall hasnt mentioned 'allowances' - but i'll probably ask - that way its easier. My first wedding told us to pay short a few heads so it was easy.

Otherwise - i'll probably 'forget' to put down my brother or some other immediately family members on the table chart - but i'll have them in the place cards. I doubt the halls check that the place cards match the tables.

Something like that..

PinkRoses1 Posted: Apr 18, 2008 03:39 PM

Re: Spinoff of 'No Shows'

Wow -- what would I do without you girls! Seriously!!!

I think this thread has just potentially saved a lot of us some serious $$$!

betani Posted: Apr 18, 2008 05:06 PM

Re: Spinoff of 'No Shows'

no. they want my final head count so they're prepared, but my hall said i'm only paying for whoever shows. for example, if i give them a final count of 150 and only 100 show, i only pay for 100.

oldladybride Posted: Apr 18, 2008 07:55 PM

Re: Spinoff of 'No Shows'

they wanted an exact count from us and were not going to refund for noshows. one couple had a seriously ill mother and I was afraid they might have to cancel so I shorted the count by 2 but mentally put them at table 2 because they would not set the place for them but they did take a place cArd for them. so it looks like each rh works a little differently.

GiantsBride Posted: Apr 19, 2008 08:17 AM

Re: Spinoff of 'No Shows'

Posted by cindyandkevin

Yes, give them a count a few people lower than what you are expecting. You can always pay them more the day of, but if you overpay and people don't show the RH isn't going to refund you your money back.

MY friend who works in the business told me to do this! He said, make sure if you are uncertain about a few people... that you don't count them in... tell me that day and we'll add them in