Regret RSVP's. Do people really

chattychiqa

do people really respond no and then show up?

My friend told me I should pay for extra seats and expect this to happen. Wouldn't the inevitable no shows offset this? I'm having a buffet so I'm not sweating it too much.

Side note: drama causing aunt RSVP'd no and I breathed a huge sigh of relief. No joke, she manages to cause a scene at every big event or get together. Cousin daughter of nice aunt said the family thinks she did that hoping I would call and blow flowers up her azz. Since that didn't happen they suspect she will show anyway. So over this crap. I wish I didn't have to extend an obligatory invite.

achiduck

Don't pay for extra plates, chances are you'll have a couple of people the RSVP'd yes that don't show.

If by chance everyone that RSVP's yes shows and you have a few extras, the venue will find away to squeeze them in.

Summer2011Bride

We didn't have any "no's" show up to ours, but our venue told us that they always make a few extra meals in case this happens, so if you're concerned about it, I would check with your venue/caterer to see if this is the case. We did not have to pay for these extra meals (they also made extras in case they messed up by dropping one, etc.)

J&K10910

One person who RSVPed no showed up (actually, he RSVPed yes, then called and said he was really sorry but he wasn't going to be able to make it, and then showed up, and in the receiving line said "Haha!  I bet you're suprised to see me!!"  Yes.  Yes we are), and one person who did not respond to the RSVP or to our numerous attempts to contact him showed up as well.

We had 4 no shows, so we still ended up paying for extra plates.  Also, the venue builds in enough food for a few extra, so definitely don't pay for extra plates.

angelsong21

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_regret-rsvps-do-people-really?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:4a95648a-6918-429e-af65-5c0bdb89fbe2Post:a029b66b-e5ee-4e9e-9903-c8bfaed7d184">Re: Regret RSVP's. Do people really</a>:
[QUOTE]Don't pay for extra plates, chances are you'll have a couple of people the RSVP'd yes that don't show. If by chance everyone that RSVP's yes shows and you have a few extras, the venue will find away to squeeze them in.
Posted by achiduck[/QUOTE]

<div>This.  Our venue advised us to order the exact number of plates to match our headcount.  That way, like achiduck said, you most likely won't end up being short as some who RSVP will likely no-show.  We ordered 84 plates and I think only 70 guests showed up.</div>

leia1979

Other than a guy who brought a different date than he RSVP'd with (which was funny--she flipper her placecard over to write her name), people who RSVP'd yes came and the ones who said no didn't.

sbc2013

The venue we are using just had a wedding where TWENTY extra people showed up. What are you even supposed to do at that point? Luckily the venue was able to whip up something quickly for them, but SHEESH. You have to wonder if the bride/groom just didn't call the people who didn't return RSVP cards! Other than that unlikely scenario, when we were still searching for our venue I saw in multiple contracts that the venue will make 3-4% more food than the final number you give them. Not sure why 3 or 4 percent particularly, but I would ask your venue if they do that or something similar, as PP have said.

DramaGeek

Our caterer made 15% extra just in case.  I don't think we had any no's show up (I can't remember), but I know we had 6 no shows due to an emergency and one no show due to getting lost.