Venue Estimate

View quoted message Thank you, Vinod!

Your contract with the venue hasn't stated the minimum count, yet told you without notice and that seems off. No information should be hidden and told upfront which they neglectfully did with you. The venue will hold you responsible for the remaining head count if filled to their requirements. Its best to call and ask about this information to be clarified and why it isn't stated on the contract. When signing our contracts and reading the package for the venue back in 2016, the min. count was 75 and the max was 125 for Friday and Sundays. Saturdays count was min. of 100.

View quoted message Definitely!

View quoted message

Ah ok I'm sure if you ask then they'll be able to tell you. But definitely make sure you review a contract before putting any deposits down! You want to make sure you know what you're signing up for!

View quoted message That makes sense. I’ll have to ask them - thank you!

View quoted message Thank you! They didn’t say it was a minimum, rather asked us how many guests we expected?

View quoted message That’s what makes most sense to me....thanks!

View quoted message Ok that’s good to know - thank you!!

View quoted message None of our venues here have shown us a contract! Just an estimate....might have to do some digging here....

View quoted message That’s kind of what I’m expecting but I guess I should make sure! Thank you!

View quoted message That makes sense - thank you!

What's more common than a minimum headcount is a minimum spend, so I would ask about that. For example, with our venue there is a minimum spend and they can care less if our event has 10 vs 300 people as long as we hit that minimum (this is pre-covid). But once we give the final numbers 2 weeks out, we're committed to those numbers and they'll charge us even if there's a no show or if we ace an order the night before.

Our minimum for our venue is set at 80 but we can have up to 120 in our room. So as long as your minimum isn't 50 you are fine to have less. It's something you have to make sure with your vendor.

It would depend on the venue, but in my experience most venues confirm the number of guests closer to the wedding date and the price you pay is based off of that number rather than your first estimate

I would talk to your venue to make sure about that question. They might have a min head count and you would have to pay if you don't come up to that amount and if they don't, then you don't need to worry. Only you give them a final count the 2 weeks before hand and on your wedding date some people don't show up then you'd have to pay for the number of guests you put down.

With our venue we had booked before (we’ve cancelled due to Covid), as well as my bridal shower venue - we were on the hook for the minimum amount of people we contracted for.


Our wedding had a minimum of 200 people - if only 150 showed we still would have to pay for the other 50.
As others have said though, check your contract and see if you have a minimum.

It depends on what's in your contract. Ask your venue if you're unclear about it and they should be able to tell you. They may have a minimum head count/minimum spend but it should be listed in the contract if that's the case.

I would clarify with your vendor. When I booked our caterer we got a quote for 30- our final numbers are due 2 weeks prior and we owe that amount.