Guest List

hgundy · October 2011

Okay, so I am pretty set on Gannon's for my ceremony and reception! Very excited! Feels good to finally pick a venue. Getting a bit worried about the guest list though. Venue holds about 60 people with dance floor at reception and 70-75 without dance floor. I guess I have high expectations for people b/c I feel like everyone we invite will come but obviously that doesn't happen. Esp. being a DW in Maui. But girls... Your input on how many people you invited that didn't come. Need your help. Is it too risky to invite approx. 100 people for a place that holds 60-70? Many people are families and would have to travel from Oregon and the mid-west... Help!

Tanq&Tonic · October 2011

Yes, it's too risky to plan for 40% NOs. You need to be sure you can accommodate everyone that you invite -- both from a venue/capacity perspective and a budget perspective. And I do not believe you should rely on informal polling to make this decision -- sometimes life just changes and you end up being able to do something you couldn't before.

FWIW, we had less than 10% NOs. And our AHR had only 11% NOs despite the majority of the guests coming from out of town. I know that is not typical, but it's just what happened!

ktabin · October 2011

I agree with Tanq - its too risky. And from my personal experience, it's so stressful trying to scramble and find an alternate venue a few months before your wedding if you end up going over the capacity limit.

jackcody · October 2011

We had 30% decline invites in the very end--from Australia, Alaska and all the way to Florida. You will go insane, though, because, until just a month before it was only 10% decline rate. Unless you're sending invites to elderly relatives just to be nice since you know they can't travel, your site needs to be able to fit EVERYONE you invite.

In the end, the Knottie's rates may not have anything to do with your wedding, because everyone has different strengths of relationships with the friends and family on their guest list.

If you really have your heart set on Gannons, if you're inviting families, an easy way to cut the guest list is to say adults only (address invite to the parents only, on your website or by word of mouth specify adults). Also, to get a better idea of who is coming, you could start talking to your guests--especially your "must" list (I wouldn't really count them as guaranteed until they have purchased their tickets, though). A lot of our guests with families were quite clear about their inability to afford a big family vacation to Hawaii. You could ask for RSVPs online when sending out a save the date-that has worked for some. But, like I experienced, the numbers were in flux until just before the wedding.

Obviously, I had some rough moments with our guest list

, haha.

Good luck!

kimmykupcakes · October 2011

Don't do it or you'll be sorry. You either need to cut your guestlist or find a new venue. I didn't invite one person extra over how many we could have. So far all are yes, except for 3 maybes.

lyssalou89 · October 2011

I agree with the girls. I wouldn't risk counting on 30-40% no's. In fact, I'm wondering how it will be space wise even with 70 people. Have you had a chance to scout Gannon's? I am expecting around 50 people like you. When we originally started our planning, I was very determined I would get married at Gannon's as well but during our scouting trip, I was a little worried about the space issue for even 50 people. Also, what area would you be reserving for the ceremony and reception areas? I am guessing likely the lower knoll and lower lawn? While we were in Maui, we visited Gannon's while a wedding reception was being held there. Susan, the coordinator told me that there were about 40 people. Although it was beautiful, it seemed like there was only about enough room for about that many at most. After noticing that, we decided that it would be best to start looking at other venues with larger capacities! Good luck girl!

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