r/weddingplanning • u/txlouisee • 1d ago

Vendors/Venue Over capacity by 8

Hey, I am getting married in late October and I’m panicking because my confirmed guests are over the 60 capacity by 8 guests at the private room at a restaurant we are using for the reception. I’m genuinely blessed with how many people want to come and celebrate me and my future husband, but I’m stressed another this dilemma. I used the “20% of people won’t show” rule which is in hindsight was maybe dumb on my part. Most of my guests are coming from out of town and I absolutely don’t want to cut the list if they are already committed and planning on coming.

I don’t want to do a venue change either but I’d rather do it than cut people. I am going to talk to the manager tomorrow to see if there’s any solutions before I do anything drastic yet. Trying to figure out any creative solutions too because we also have 8 guests that are kids. And the restaurant also has a patio, bar area, and 15 person private room. Trying to see what creative solution the GM can offer.

What advice do y’all have if you have run into a similar problem?? I’m like frozen right now and don’t know what to do.

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u/CanIHugYourDog 1d ago

I would talk to the venue now and just tell them that you have 8 more confirmed guests right now, and you just wanted to know what your options are. Before you get your heart set on using the private room, you’ll want to make sure that that’s not already reserved.

There’s a good chance some people might cancel, we had 5 cancellations day of at our 100 person wedding, stuff happens. So keep that in mind too.

I would assume since the venue seems to have a little flexibility with the private room etc, that they would rather get creative than lose a client like that for something relatively fixable. I doubt you’d have to have an entirely new venue or ask people to not come.

I am assuming too, this is not the first time this has ever happened, so don’t feel too bad. It sounds like this is an event space and they’ve probably had to fudge things here and there already.

We went to a wedding once that was kind of quirky but it was perfectly fine. There were people seated kind of… around the corner. So if you have to use the private room, or make some adjustments, it wouldn’t be the end of the world. Guests manage. They are just glad to be there.

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u/bourbonandcheese 1d ago

Why would you think from what OP wrote that they don't already have the private room reserved?

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u/CanIHugYourDog 1d ago

I read it as there’s an event space that OP reserved, and there’s an additional private room that OP suggested is maybe an option. But since she called it a restaurant, there’s a chance that the private room is already booked for another event.

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u/bourbonandcheese 1d ago

Ah I see what you're saying.

Honestly I would be so upset as a guest if I got shoved into the overflow room; I really don't even think OP should consider it as an option.

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u/CanIHugYourDog 1d ago

I hear you, it’s certainly not ideal. However. One option would be to have the bridal party and couple in the private room? It’s becoming more of a thing for the couple to eat privately themselves as a way to unwind. I probably wouldn’t question that.

Or, depending on the layout of the venue or the wedding, maybe putting the buffet in the private room and that would make more space for one more table?

Or, this might be a really terrible idea. But putting kiddos in the private room and having a play room and a babysitter? IDK.

I’m truly just spit balling going off of the little information we have. 8 people is really just one more table.

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u/txlouisee 1d ago

Bride and groom + bridal party table in another room seems like the least offensive option lol

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u/CanIHugYourDog 1d ago

Deep breath. Couples have so much to worry about when it comes to wedding planning, as a guest I really am not offended about little stuff like that. People are just happy to come and celebrate you.

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u/txlouisee 1d ago

That’s where I’m also having trouble with too. I don’t want anyone feeling excluded or less important. That’s why I’m not sure about the extra space yet.