My guest list is too big!

billyjo

Help! The location I have booked holds a maximum of 200 people. I have a huge family that has a bad habit of not RSVPing and bringing more people than those invited. If I invite everyone on my list I have 192 people not including kids because I don't know if they have children and how many. If I do the A & B list and only invite aunts & uncles, they may bring all of their grown children & grandchildren. What do I do?

Brie2010

Don't do an A & B list.  It's rude.Get a bigger venue.  Or, in the alternative, don't invite kids.  If you don't even know their names or even how many of them there are, they can't be that important to you that it will significantly impact your wedding day if they aren't there.

brookelynpaisley

Did you take your guest list into account before choosing your venue? That should have been priority #1. You're going to have to stay on top of your guests and maybe give yourself an extra week to call anyone who doesn't RSVP to get numbers and tell people you can't accomodate your unexpected guests.

Samantha Durange

well you have 64 days to go, did you send out your invites yet?  not sure what to tell you if you did

agk0125

Snip snip.

anna.oskar

Question: Are you paying for everything?

111Kate111

List every single person on the invite (do not use AND FAMILY). If they don't RSVP, call and ask who is coming. If they add uninvited people, let them know their simply is not enough room. If I were you, put this on the RSVP card (in hindsight I wish we had) For a Family of four address invite like this: Mr. and Mrs. Bob & Sue Smith Kate and Ella then, on the RSVP have this: _____ seats have been reserved in your honor. and write in 4. Then it is clear only four seats are alloted for them. If they RSVP for more, tell them there is simply not enough room.

111Kate111

Response card: We are looking forward to celebrating with you. Kindly respond by April 18, 2009 Name (s) ____________________ __ seats have been reserved in your honor __ will attend #__ total number attending __ will not attend and the write in 1, 2, 3, etc on the line "___ blanks seats have been reserved in your honor" before you send invites out very straightforward who is invited and who is not.

tbh33

i agree with the pp's either cut the list or find a new venue.  But since you obviously don't want to do either, then you will have to realize that you must call those that don't RSVP.  Also, don't let people add on extras.  You could also hire someone to stand at the door and turn away those not on the list.  All of these are reasonable ideas, and if you don't want to go with any of them, then sorry you're screwed.I know you say you're on a budget, but the door guy may be your best bet.  I think I've heard of some caterers charging extra for last minute shows (not sure how they keep up with that though).  Also, I'd want to have a door guy to make sure you don't get in trouble with the venue about going over maximum.  I'm not sure how strict your venue is about that, but they may watch it to ensure they don't get in trouble with fire codes and what not.