If you're worried about unused tables or no-show guests , you
can minimise them by being very stringent in your RSVPs.
Spread the word about the dinner early and ask guests to keep the
date free. Send out invitations early. About 2-3 weeks before
dinner, call guests to confirm attendance. Adjust guest list
accordingly. This will minimise the unused tables.
Keep in mind your hotel will also allow for some changes in # of
tables. Usually, you commit to the fewer number of tables with the
option of increased capacity, and increase if necessary at a later
date when your guest list is more firmed up, because decreasing pax
past a certain % of guests may incur some penalty - check the hotel
contract. Also, hotel usually gives 2 extra tables on the night for
unexpected guests.
If you expect the bulk of guests to be your mom's contacts, and you
expect the chances of no-show to be high there too ... then it's
best to remind her to do her RSVPs properly.
