What to do with an Unexpected Guest at Wedding?

What happens if someone RSVP'd no, or someone brings an extra date, etc. to the wedding and doesn't tell you beforehand, but just shows up the day of the wedding? What do you do? Are you 'supposed' to carry around cash all day to pay for these extra guests?

I'm asking, because I KNOW I'll have this problem. One of my 'friends' already told me he wasn't sure if he'll make it but to please save him a seat, he'll come when he can...

That's SOOOOOOOO ANNOYING!!!! I'd say, right before you give your final head count to the RH, call this guest and try to get a more accurate response - YES or NO. From what I've read on here, it seems like most brides just round the # up rather than down - better to have have too much than too little. Maybe ask the RH as well? (I'm sure they'll tell you to include this guest since it's money in their pocket either way!)

You could always pack extra guest a brown bag!!!
JK!

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Posted by misswitty

That's SOOOOOOOO ANNOYING!!!! I'd say, right before you give your final head count to the RH, call this guest and try to get a more accurate response - YES or NO. From what I've read on here, it seems like most brides just round the # up rather than down - better to have have too much than too little. Maybe ask the RH as well? (I'm sure they'll tell you to include this guest since it's money in their pocket either way!)

You could always pack extra guest a brown bag!!!
JK!

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Haha yeah but I rather not have to pay for them if they're not 100% sure of coming... I rather have them kicked out

I don't know how I'd handle someone telling me that.

I think I'd have to tell them that I need to know a yes or no. Yes it's only 1 person asking this of you but what if 2 or 3 more people did this?

Mayube I'm just at the point that I'm tired of making exceptiong for people & giving special treatment.

Yes it will happen.
Just remember that until the night is over you dont know your final head count, you will need to bring cash to cover the expense of added guests.

Dont sweat about anymore then that~your BM/maitre D will take care of seating and will add place settings as needed.

I gave them my exact minimum even tho my Yes response was more then that.

If your minimum is 150 and you tell them 160 you pay for 160 even if only 155 show.

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Posted by PegaLega

Yes it will happen.
Just remember that until the night is over you dont know your final head count, you will need to bring cash to cover the expense of added guests.

Dont sweat about anymore then that~your BM/maitre D will take care of seating and will add place settings as needed.

I gave them my exact minimum even tho my Yes response was more then that.

If your minimum is 150 and you tell them 160 you pay for 160 even if only 155 show.

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My minimum is 125 and I'm currently at 159 guests. I don't think I can tell them 125, that's too much of a differenece, but I also want to make sure I don't pay for guests that might change their minds....

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Posted by fujamaga

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Posted by PegaLega

Yes it will happen.
Just remember that until the night is over you dont know your final head count, you will need to bring cash to cover the expense of added guests.

Dont sweat about anymore then that~your BM/maitre D will take care of seating and will add place settings as needed.

I gave them my exact minimum even tho my Yes response was more then that.

If your minimum is 150 and you tell them 160 you pay for 160 even if only 155 show.

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My minimum is 125 and I'm currently at 159 guests. I don't think I can tell them 125, that's too much of a differenece, but I also want to make sure I don't pay for guests that might change their minds....

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If they have said YES definitely I would count them in regardless, if they are unsure do not count them. Make them a place card and pencil them in~give this to your MOH or BM so that if they show they have a place~KWIM?

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Posted by PegaLega

If they have said YES definitely I would count them in regardless, if they are unsure do not count them. Make them a place card and pencil them in~give this to your MOH or BM so that if they show they have a place~KWIM?

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awesome, thanks!

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Posted by fujamaga

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Posted by PegaLega

If they have said YES definitely I would count them in regardless, if they are unsure do not count them. Make them a place card and pencil them in~give this to your MOH or BM so that if they show they have a place~KWIM?

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awesome, thanks!

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YW

we had 2 couples who were not sure if they would make it - - one for health reasons, the other because they were on standby for an early flight back from a business trip.

we did not count them but told RH we had 4 iffys and they were ok with that. BM said if we know during CH to tell them if they needed to add place settings and where. we had done the seating allowing empties for these people at certain tables so it was easy to say 2 more at table 5 etc.

for our xtra plates we were told we could pay by check so see if your RH will do that - - it might be a little easier than hving fistfuls of $50s.

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Posted by oldladybride

we had 2 couples who were not sure if they would make it - - one for health reasons, the other because they were on standby for an early flight back from a business trip.

we did not count them but told RH we had 4 iffys and they were ok with that. BM said if we know during CH to tell them if they needed to add place settings and where. we had done the seating allowing empties for these people at certain tables so it was easy to say 2 more at table 5 etc.

for our xtra plates we were told we could pay by check so see if your RH will do that - - it might be a little easier than hving fistfuls of $50s.

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Haha yeah, I don't know what people expect me to do, stuff it all into the bra

I would just give the reception hall 2 more than the number who RSVP'd yes. Yes you will have to pay for the extra 2 even if they don't show, but I think it's better than having to deal with the alternative on your wedding day. This is what we are doing.

We don't think anyone will sit there and count the people at the reception, but we need to have place settings for each person. So we're doing the extra 2 so people aren't disrupted at other tables trying to accommodate 2 more people.

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Posted by Espo22

speak to your RH first and ask them about this. You MIGHT not have to pay extra. I was told that many times a maitre'd is not going to sit there the day of and charge you extra for a few guests and they just let it go, instead of having to do more paperwork that day and many times they just feel bad to charge you extra that day for a few extra guests.

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haha that would be ideal, hopefully I get a nice maitre'd!!

I personally called up everyone that did not mail back their RSVP so I really dont expect anyone to pop up. If someone does pop up I am going to tell my bridal attendant not to let them in, I dont care who they are.
Other people may be more accommodating......I just think its rude of the person that shows up unexpected

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Posted by missexcited

I personally called up everyone that did not mail back their RSVP so I really dont expect anyone to pop up. If someone does pop up I am going to tell my bridal attendant not to let them in, I dont care who they are.
Other people may be more accommodating......I just think its rude of the person that shows up unexpected

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What if someone who RSVP'd yes comes with a guest (but never RSVP'd the guest)? This is what I am afraid will happen at my wedding. People will bring people without asking first!!

my hall said that I have to pay cash for those people that day -- wth
Then they don't have a place card or setting already made up for them so they have to stand there while people try to figure out where to sit them

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Posted by Espo22

speak to your RH first and ask them about this. You MIGHT not have to pay extra. I was told that many times a maitre'd is not going to sit there the day of and charge you extra for a few guests and they just let it go, instead of having to do more paperwork that day and many times they just feel bad to charge you extra that day for a few extra guests.

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Im sure this has happened before but its not the maitre d who does a head count, it goes by plates served out of the kitchen. Im sure for 1 or 2 they dont even bother but a big difference they will count.

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Posted by pa56

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Posted by missexcited

I personally called up everyone that did not mail back their RSVP so I really dont expect anyone to pop up. If someone does pop up I am going to tell my bridal attendant not to let them in, I dont care who they are.
Other people may be more accommodating......I just think its rude of the person that shows up unexpected

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What if someone who RSVP'd yes comes with a guest (but never RSVP'd the guest)? This is what I am afraid will happen at my wedding. People will bring people without asking first!!

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We were afraid that this would happen so we did not make any of the tables the max number, our tables held 12 so we did 10 per table in case we needed to add anyone

We only told them 150.....and it will be like
180-190 LOL
Boy are they in for a surprise. LOL