Minimum guests of 100??

I think this is common. My venue has a minimum count for Friday weddings, and a slightly higher minimum count for Saturday weddings. From my understanding, I think you would have to pay for the minimum count even if you don't meet it. When my sister had her wedding, I believe she was around like 10 people below the minimum count, so she still had to pay for those 10 meals in addition to the meals for the people who attended. I believe they gave her the meals in to-go boxes. Check with the venue to ask what would happen if you were to fall short of the 100 count. Would they just charge you for 100 guests and be fine with it? Or will they not allow the event to occur?

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I did ask if we could pay for the 100 guests! She said no, we need 100 people. I asked if we could purchase more food and/or meals to make up for not buying out more rooms but we would absolutely need 100 people there. No event allowed, it's a bit heartbreaking since it was the first venue that we've fallen in love with and held out hope for.

View Quoted Comment Oh, got it ☹️ that's a bummer that they won't work with you on that! Not all venues are like that, but there are unfortunately some that are strict on the guest count. If you absolutely have to have that venue, are you able to switch to a Friday or Sunday wedding? Those often have lower minimum counts. Otherwise, I would keep searching for another venue. There are a lot of beautiful places out there!

Don't get pushed to inflate your numbers. What rural area are you in?

How far are you away from the 100? If it’s your dream venue I’d just pay for the 100 and tell them that’s how many is coming and pay for it even if you don’t have the guest count. They can’t fault you for what you paid for.

Are you talking about a 100 person catering minimum? Or you mentioned rooms above - what does that refer to?

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Vermont. We don't need the venue, we liked this one because most venues here are barns because, well.. Vermont lol and this one just wasn't a barn and it had character. We'd have to do a Monday-Thursday wedding for 50 people and unfortunately, most of our family couldn't come.

We can go out of state pretty easily to New York or New Hampshire but I have my grandparents who are sick and I don't want them to leave the state where their doctors are and they won't either. Overall, just a bit unfortunate about the venue but we're going to find somewhere better to have our wedding. It may be a barn but at least we can have everyone, I was just surprised that they wouldn't compromise at all.

How many people did you plan on having on your guest list? If it’s significantly less than 50 and you’re willing to pay double the cost just to have it there, don’t you think you might be able to find a different venue that is more expensive that you might even like better? It is pretty common to have a minimum. And I’m sure since Covid venues are being extra strict with this world because they’ve taken such a financial blunder recently, they are counting on 2022 and 2023 as most brides are postponing their weddings until 2022 and 2023, so believe it or not, they honestly might not want to book a 60 person wedding when they have someone who post pone that has 200 guests that they still need to accommodate in 2023.

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It's an inn as well. We'd only have to book 10 rooms which is fine, we would've booked more actually. and no, not 100 people catering minimum. 100 people at the ceremony and reception. I tried to ask if we could pay for the extra food or do different options so that they wouldn't lose on money but there wasn't any alternative.

We have 50 people! lol we don't know 100 people well enough to invite them to the wedding oh well. I really haven't seen this on any other venue pages but maybe it's because I live in a rural area!!

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Maybe! That's a good point. I was just so surprised since they aren't booking 2023 right now but I could see how they may be saving their dates for the bigger parties.

I ran into the same issue looking for a venue in VT for 60 people. Most venues had weekend minimum guest counts and basically said I could have a weekend date if wasn't booked by the last minute or I could do Monday-Thursday. I found inns, restaurants and B&B's to be more flexible for smaller weddings. Ultimately I wanted the venue I wanted so settled for a Thursday.

View Quoted Comment There are a lot of nice Inns. Are you near any ski areas that use their lodges, or nice function rooms, for off season weddings?
We are north of Franconia Notch. neighbors.

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Haha nice to meet you! We're near all of the beautiful skiing areas, the expensive ones lol. I'll reconsider them anyways and see if any near smugglers notch are a better option!

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Gotcha! I wonder why it's more common here, maybe it's not a vt thing but an everywhere thing. I want to ensure everyone is there so we'll do a Friday-Sunday wedding somehow!

I totally understand a caterer not wanting to spend a day during the weekend catering to small party - only because they would make significantly more during the weekend with a larger party. But if you're willing to pay the price of 100 guests, I don't really see the issue. But I've also never had to deal with minimums and honestly didn't know that was really a thing?! LOL

We went from 220 to 75 guests and our caterer just sent us a new proposal!

View Quoted Comment Year before last we went to a 70? person wedding at Sugar bush, neither bride nor groom side particularly well off. Someone said since there are a couple of ve ues, the Biggest new resort house was too pricey, scared them away.
But they had 2 less expensive. We were in a very non-barn function room often used for conference banquets, so smaller. Very nice. And the setting is gorgeous. I know Killington and Stow are beyond my class/ price range.

My best friend had minimum 100 but they said that if she didn’t have 100 that was OK as long as she paid for that amount

Take a look at eventective.com and filter by guest count. If a vendor requires a minimum, move on to the next. Non wedding vendors do not have minimums.

Woah 100?! Never hesrd of a minimum that large before

Definitely common for Friday and Saturday weddings