When to book Bridal Shower

ujocdeelovely

Hi Ladies!

So my mom is planning my Bridal Shower and today she asked me to go with her to a venue. The venue advised us that in order to do it between April and May we would need to guarantee 50 people. This is a problem since my mom only has 45 to invite. He then told us that if we book in March we need to guarantee 40 which is better for us. The only thing is I am getting married in August so if my mom books in March it would be 5 months before the wedding. Is that too far? Also the dates he gave us were either on Saint Patrick Day or the Sunday that Spring Break begins.  I feel that if she books it the Sunday when Spring Break starts many people won't attend. We both really love this place and my mom is trying to work it out so that we can have it there. What would you do?

TIA!

HobokensFury

I would honestly just find another venue that works for 40 people.  5 months is a bit early for a shower, most are 2-3 months out.

pisha82

Your right most are 2-3 months out. But I have seen in certian situations the showers either be much earlier or later. If you are in love with the venue and you can not find anything else you like then I would book March. People will ask why it is so early, but in the end it is the hosts choice. I have seen a shower 5 months out before, for different reasons. So I think you would be ok.

MobKaz

If your wedding date is in August, is there a reason you cannot have your shower at that venue in June? If the maximum number on your guest list is 45, you will need to anticipate a few declines. Is it possible that you could book the more desirable May date, and ask the venue management if you could make up the difference in food or beverage upgrades?

ujocdeelovely

Thank you everyone! The reason to book March is that the months following you need to guarantee 50 to 55 people. If the guarantee was 40 for June or any other month after March we would've booked then.

Summer2011Bride

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_pre-wedding-parties_when-to-book-bridal-shower?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:32Discussion:05a97e26-43a3-4789-b3d7-3d787d592057Post:5dc3d1a2-2a92-48f1-935a-0c87b03b4541">Re:When to book Bridal Shower</a>:
[QUOTE]Thank you everyone! The reason to book March is that the months following you need to guarantee 50 to 55 people. If the guarantee was 40 for June or any other month after March we would've booked then.
Posted by ujocdeelovely[/QUOTE]

In your OP you said the 50 people minimum was for only April and May, so it sounded like June or July would have been a lower minimum. That's where the confusion came in.

I would frankly find a different venue. Not just because March is quite early, but I have never heard of a shower venue requiring a minimum. Do they require a minimum for all parties/gatherings held there or only bridal showers? I just find that odd and like they're being difficult to work with.

If your heart is set on it, I'd schedule for May or June and ask about upgrading food or beverage to equal the cost of 50 guests, since you will end up with less than that.

ujocdeelovely

As I look at what I wrote I can see how it caused confusion. Sorry for that. From November until March is their off season so that's why they lower the minimum for parties. I didn't think to ask them if they would let me upgrade to make up the difference. I will def. ask them. Thank you for all the feedback!
In Response to Re:When to book Bridal Shower:[QUOTE]In Response to Re:When to book Bridal Shower:Thank you everyone! The reason to book March is that the months following you need to guarantee 50 to 55 people. If the guarantee was 40 for June or any other month after March we would've booked then.Posted by ujocdeelovelyIn your OP you said the 50 people minimum was for only April and May, so it sounded like June or July would have been a lower minimum. That's where the confusion came in.I would frankly find a different venue. Not just because March is quite early, but I have never heard of a shower venue requiring a minimum. Do they require a minimum for all parties/gatherings held there or only bridal showers? I just find that odd and like they're being difficult to work with.If your heart is set on it, I'd schedule for May or June and ask about upgrading food or beverage to equal the cost of 50 guests, since you will end up with less than that. Posted by Summer2011Bride[/QUOTE]

pretzelgrrl

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_pre-wedding-parties_when-to-book-bridal-shower?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:32Discussion:05a97e26-43a3-4789-b3d7-3d787d592057Post:b5131290-24e2-4a11-b1d2-7f4cbfd7c80c">Re:When to book Bridal Shower</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re:When to book Bridal Shower : In your OP you said the 50 people minimum was for only April and May, so it sounded like June or July would have been a lower minimum. That's where the confusion came in. I would frankly find a different venue. Not just because March is quite early, but I have never heard of a shower venue requiring a minimum. Do they require a minimum for all parties/gatherings held there or only bridal showers? I just find that odd and like they're being difficult to work with. If your heart is set on it, I'd schedule for May or June and ask about upgrading food or beverage to equal the cost of 50 guests, since you will end up with less than that.
Posted by Summer2011Bride[/QUOTE]
Almost all the restaurants/venues  around me have a minimum for parties including showers...i ran into this when booking a bridal shower.