Over 50% decline rate!

tmkerzan · May 2014

When FI and I first announced we were getting married in Vegas everyone said they'll be there, wouldn't miss it, so excited, etc. people even invited themselves!!! so we made our plans based on app. that number of people. Now we are getting RSVPs back and the majority are NOs! Invited 54 and it looks like we might end up with only 25. (Still a few people up in the air) We might not make the F&B minimum at the restaurant and will lose 50% of our deposit if we cancel now. Was I being completely naive? Honestly I was expecting about 30-40 to come. So frustrated!

samlovvesyoumuah · May 2014

Well if you don't want to lose your deposit you might be able to add open bar (or add to it if you are already doing so), appetizers, or bump up to a higher priced meal to meet your minimum. Sorry to hear this is happening! I am in a similar situation.

a13049 · May 2014

We had originally invited 40, with add ons and people inviting themselves we ended up with 80 invitees. Now that we have sent invites we are at 19 yes, 20 no and 21 have yet to reply. In the opposite though and I am really glad we have received more declines because we can do so much more with a smaller group. All our VIPs are still coming and mostly the add ons are the ones who have declined. I can see it disappointing though if you has people say they could attend and then, not be able to. They probably thought it would be fun and had very intention to, but finances and other obligations may be preventing them. Can you upgrade you menu and add on a higher quality bar option?

nicolajane81 · May 2014

@tmkerzan - are you coming in from abroad or within the US?

Agree with everyone else, you could upgrade your bar package or provide some more food. Where is your reception? I know Maggianos has loads of vendors that you can book to reach a minimum spend threshold, including entertainment like Elvis etc!

myriah505 · May 2014

This is the most frustrating aspect I am experiencing with destination weddings. I have to make reservations based on no or little information.

ktbabe530 · May 2014

upgrade, upgrade, upgrade! better food, alcohol, decorations?

a13049 · May 2014

I totally agree @myriah505‌ planning has been so hard while waiting for RSVP. The varying amount of RSVP for destination weddings is much greater than an in town wedding

nicolajane81 · May 2014

I could have anything from between 23 (confirmed with booked flights) to 70 - people we are waiting on! I've kind of estimated everything at around 45 for planning purposes as that's the number we're pretty sure we will have.

ssteele04 · May 2014

we invited 55 and have 33 coming, i would do as many upgrades as you can:)

KikiMira · May 2014

One thing I learned, that until they booked their flight don't count them in for sure. We had a lot of verbal yes's than once the deadline rolled around, we had a something like 23 people decline and as we got closer to the date, after the deadline we had 5 more people decline because of life - 1 is pregnant (she was 36 weeks), 2 had to move the weekend of, 2 no longer could afford it.

On average the attendance rate for a DW wedding is 65%. We had something like 73% yes rate first but in the end, we actually had 64%, so pretty much spot on. Having a smaller wedding was great! I would recommend it! We only had 50 people come out of the 79 invitees.

However, we also booked our venue based off the original yes's, which in the end didn't bring us to our minimum. So we upgraded to a premium bar and they just charged us the minimum anyways. Which we ended up paying an extra 120/per person who didn't make it, so $600 total to meet our minimum. We weighed out our options, and it was more too loose our deposit - $1500 than to pay the difference. So we paid it and didn't stress about finding another venue.

Weigh out your options... And talk to the venue, they might work with you and lower the minimum (all though unlikely, they might have suggestions), Also don't forget about vendor meals!!! You should be feeding your vendors that are there all day - Photographer....

annathy03 · May 2014

Talk to your venue about upgrades to the bar/food/apps, and anything that might count towards the minimum- if they allow their preferred vendors to count you could add a photobooth or entertainment. And of course like PP mentioned remember your photographer, DJ, etc all need to eat too.

missmo14 · May 2014

I agree with PP. We invited 100 and had 30 attend. At one point we had nearly 60 verbal yes and I planned around that number. We were well below the minimum at Maggianos so I added a fully upgraded open bar, chiavari chairs, premium linen rental, our cupcake tower and additional entree and dessert to our minimum. All of the guests who attended were blown away! Sometimes a smaller wedding allows you to splurge more :-)

tmkerzan · May 2014

Thanks everyone who responded. Through the frustration it helps to know there are other people experiencing the same. I get the whole upgrading the menu but since we already planned on an open bar there is not much upgrading to do. We're adding a course and doing bottled water over tap. We might even do bottled wine for each table. Yes the guests who are attending will definitely be spoiled and VERY full!

Over 50% decline rate!

Re: Over 50% decline rate!

Choose Another Board

Search Boards