Adding guests last minute?

[carolina64]

Does anyone have experience adding reception guests at the last minute?
I know what the official deadlines are for guest count, etc. and whether these people come or not, we will meet our minimums.

A few of our friends and their families work for a company that is merging/consolidating units. They will not know if they will get time off until the week before we leave for the wedding. Their boss believes they will, but there is a distinct possibility they may not, because of the new management. They really cannot make an issue of it considering how many people have already been let go.

While I am thrilled that they survived the cut and understand their position, I am concerned about my planning. Food/beverage gives us three days, but the rest? Since the reception is at living seas, the tables are small. If we put them in the guest count and they cannot come, we will have almost four tables empty. four centerpieces, four topper rentals along with candles, napkins, favors, and place cards! That is too much money to just throw away.

So...in my personal Disney experiences, I have had very little trouble when my changes added money. I have had a lot more difficulty trying to make last minute changes that lower the cost. Has anyone added people after the cut-off date? How difficult was it? It would be about a five day window.

Sorry for the ramble. Thanks!

 

[wiserabbit]

At my daughter's reception at the GF - for a plated dinner - we had to add 2 more AFTER the reception started because they (like your to be guests) did not know they could come and were a SURPRISE!

It was handled gracefully and without any big fanfare - so I'm thinking unless a huge number of "extras" show up you shouldn't have a huge problem.....

But....maybe you should give a heads up to your planner for a "just in case" back up plan!

 

[pezaddict231]

I would just let your planner know. We had a few people that could not make it at the last minute and it wasn't a problem. Disney just refunded us that amount after the wedding. It was only four people so it didn't make a difference in set-up for us, I'm not sure how they handle that aspect of it.