Max Capacity of Venue

Julia822

We have just finalized our wedding list, and we are inviting almost the max capacity of our venue.  My concern is (assuming a 100% acceptance rate) that we won't have enough room if some of our single guests are in a relationship at the time invitations go out about 8 months from now.  I know it is unlikely that we will have a 100% acceptance rate, but I think we need to work under the assumption that we will.  I don't want to be in a position where we have to tell people they can't bring their SO because we don't have room.  Is it a bad idea to be inviting a number of people so close to our max capacity?

Thanks!!

mica178

It's best to plan for the worst (biggest) case scenario.

MyUserName1

Yes.

People must be invited with their significant other, so I'd plan my guest list size assuming that every single guest will be in a relationship. 

Better safe than rude.

krizzo17

Not only what pp said, but those max numbers are usually the max allowed by the fire code for the building - how many people can safely evacuate in an emergency, not how many people can comfortably enjoy themselves at a wedding reception. Remember, your venue makes more money the more people you have, so they're not going to say "well you can have 120 people, but it's pretty crowded if  you have more than 75"

achiduck

Duds makes an excellent point. You want to make sure you have room for your dance floor, DJ, and any other tables you might need for gifts, favors or anything else you're doing.

Honestly, I'd seriously think about trimming the guest list.

Julia822

Thanks everyone.  The capacity number they gave us is below the fire code capacity, but I still want to make sure that everyone is comfortable and not tightly packed into the room.  You are definitely right that my idea of what is comfortable for my guests may not be the same as the venue's.

@MilkDuds - it does take all of that into account, but I am glad you pointed that out because it helps me to visualize 200 people being in the room if I keep in mind all of those extras.

It is difficult to count on everyone having a guest because at least 25 of our guests are single.  I would never tell someone they couldn't bring their SO though so I am going to have to see if we can make some cuts.

 

specialk84

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_max-capacity-of-venue?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:c98fe3b3-3d7a-4cd8-a33c-ffcc6c3c08acPost:b732efee-30a7-4536-b180-53669e6fee06">Re: Max Capacity of Venue</a>:
[QUOTE]Not only what pp said, but those max numbers are usually the max allowed by the fire code for the building - how many people can safely evacuate in an emergency, <strong>not how many people can comfortably enjoy themselves at a wedding reception</strong>. Remember, your venue makes more money the more people you have, so they're not going to say "<strong>well you can have 120 people, but it's pretty crowded if  you have more than 75"</strong>
Posted by krizzo17[/QUOTE]

<div>This is a good point. Our venue held a maximum of 150, but if you wanted a dance floor, that number dropped significantly. From speaking to others who used the same venue, we found the comfortable number without a dance floor was about 110. Any more than that, and it was hard to move around.</div>

graysquirrel

When you are deciding on numbers, definitely take into account what will all be in the room. Will you have enought table space for all of the guests? Our venue gave us a to-scale printout of the room with tables and chairs to cut out and place. If you can make of of those, it really really helps! Then you can see the difference even a few people would make to your floor plan. The venue we were at could hold 200 people for a reception, but we had about 120 and I couldn't imagine how crowded it would be with 200. Make sure you work the logistics before inviting people.

If you are inviting SOs, then they should be included in your original guest count. Always plan for 100% to show.