Am I overreacting?

[Inna22]

A guest booked next weekend back in December to attend a wedding. I mention legal capacity in the listing, in things to acknowledge when they book and in my welcome message. She is now telling me she will have makeup and hair people as well video and photography people in access of my legal capacity for a few hours while they are getting ready. I do not necessarily mind this activity in itself. It does not sound like they will be throwing a party and yes, they will overuse the resources a bit but they paid a lot of money to be at the house, I am not going to be petty. These are my concerns: I did have an overcrowding issue a couple of years ago. I got a $2500 ticket from the city and had huge issues with my license. It was a full on party deep into the night which is not what these people are doing. However, I do not to be sending a message that can even remotely be interpreted as me allowing overcrowding. Next thing I know, she would want to bring friends back after the wedding to continue celebrating. Second issue is video and photo. From what I have read, that equipment is not kind on floors and walls. I am also worried about electrical grid. This is an old home and if they have hair fans, video, professional lights and other equipment plugged in at the same time, power may go out. And it will be for me to deal with as of course they will not want to be a second without air-conditioning and will claim that I ruined the entire wedding because they could not get ready and will claim nothing but one cell phone was plugged in the entire house. I am trying to figure out the best way of dealing with this without angering the guest but also setting firm boundaries. Should there be a separate contract where she acknowledges the power grid and gives me a credit card for accidentals? Should I be an additional insured on any insurance any of the professionals will have? Or am I taking this way too far? I of course told her absolutely not a sole over my allowed headcount and IDs from everyone.

[Inna22]

@David6 Thank you!

[Ale113]

Hello! 🙂

I will definitely involve Airbnb in that issue.

I think it is very unfair from the guests, because they knew that from the very beggining. And they may have asked you if a wedding party was allowed before confirming the reservation. Specially if in your Booking settings you don't allow parties.

[Inna22]

@Ale113  she did mention they would be getting ready in the space (she asked how the bathrooms are set up) but there was nothing in the message that made me think there would be anyone but those staying at the house

[Ian-And-Anne-Marie0]

@Inna22 

Being a photographer for nearly 40 years, I wouldn't worry about the photographer or videographer at this wedding as this is only the prep part. I doubt that the wedding is happenning there but there might be some (small) after wedding party/drinks. I doubt hoardes will arrive back as by the time they return they pretty much will be partied out. You will be wise to advise your max occupancy.

Most of these type of events will be fast action for the photo and video guys, and mostly all in todays market will be using battery portables/LED's/available light so not even using your power. Spiked tripods are a thing of the past and modern light stands have plastic feet already. Hairdriers will be using your power. 1400Watts each X 10(?) 14Kw... Average houses have a 32Kw supply so you should be fine, and it's unlikely that all those hairdriers will be on the same circuit - so you should be fine there too.

As @David6 mentioned, nail varnish, remover, hair dye, bleach, fake tan, mascarra, spilled champagne will be the culprits along with cleaning up all that hair afterwards, the broken glasses and the spills. Bleach dripping from hair is the worst on carpets if you have them, often caused the night before.

If make-up artists are visiting and if the wedding is mid-day'ish you can expect activity to start at 6.00am so potentially noisy from then if you have neighbours. Flower arrivals, Ushers between Groom and Bride accomodation and increased traffic should be expected.

We've hosted wedding groups here but only up to 8 people and all have been OK. B&G normally head off to a hotel somewhere after the wedding, sometimes the whole wedding party disappear in the morning never to be seen again!

You might be unduly worrying but its prudent to be wary. If you can mitigate any potential damage that's always a good thing.

Good luck.

[David6]

@Ian-And-Anne-Marie0 

i work in the fashion industry so it’s mostly commercials and fashion we are shooting and I’ve been in countless locations when damage has occurred. Tiles smashed through equipment boxes. Plaster knocked off walls. In small venues with loads of people I think you are being are downplaying   to not foresee issues? Surely be prepared until you see who turns up on day? 

Often these semi professionals who cover weddings - maybe the bride is paying top dollar and there will not be a problem - turn up with older equipment but i haven’t seen spiked stands for decades, lol. But the stands have often been used outside and are filthy. If you’ve got cream carpets it’s going to be a problem

i think it great you have such strong opinions Ian, but maybe not try to knock previous hosts who have given opinion/advice, just because your experiences are somewhat different? 

[Ian-And-Anne-Marie0]

@David6 

I do respect your opinion and on a fashion or commercial shoot which is properly lit with a full crew would certainly be a risky scenario but on these types of gigs the video and photo guys will have only what they can carry in a shoulder bag. Any lighting setup will more involve an assistant or guest holding a light rather than a static setup with any stands. They have to move fast so the least they can get away with carrying the better. 

In all all my years working, only once has there ever been any damage and that was where part of a lighting rig fell from a staircase in an atrium, that wasn’t even from me but a photographer who worked for me. No damage to the planter the light fell into but the light was demolished. Never any damage I can remember at a wedding or event.

I do think that considering damage from the photographers or video will be worrying unnecessarily. The other 21 people in the house will be much more of a risk.

[Inna22]

@Ian-And-Anne-Marie0 

These are great details, thank you. I think if I talk to all vendors in advance, they will know that I am taking this seriously and will hopefully be more careful. Now the bride is bombarding me with messages about how it breaks her heart that her mom cannot be there because it will put her over the head count and how I should have known what she meant when she said she will be getting ready at my house. How am I supposed to know the size of her wedding party and the scope of what she intends to do at my house? I did not even realize till just now that she was the actual bride. I know brides are their own class of people and even the most normal people turn temporarily insane but this is painful to watch

[Kelly149]

@Inna22 this is the point at which I would be telling this bride 'goodbye'. You were clear before but she has jumped into the land of imaginary thinking. She has imagined that your "you've rented for xxx people" to mean "you're welcome to bring yyy people"

This never ends well. And I can guarantee you that EVERYsingle vendor she is working with is charging her by the head. You should be no different.

Good luck

[Ian-And-Anne-Marie0]

@Inna22 

"Dear Bride, I do clearly point out that "You cannot have more than 21 people at the house, regardless of whether they are staying the night or just visiting during the day" . Those are County regulations so I don't think I could be any clearer? 

I think she's trying the guilt trip. If she wants her mother there she'll have to send her Bridesmaids off ahead so that theres room in the head count. Normally the mother is not usually there as the Bride and Father arrive together with the Mother already there earlier at the venue. If the mother wanted to be in with the action in the morning she would have stayed over with her daughter.

[Inna22]

Update: she just cancelled

[Mark116]

@Inna22  I say this was a bullet you dodged.  The potential for things to go wrong with this group was huge.

[Ian-And-Anne-Marie0]

@Inna22 

WOW !!

Makes you wonder what she was planning?

[Inna22]

@Ian-And-Anne-Marie0 for sure

[Ale113]

Congrats! ^^

I think is the best for you. Hope you find a new nice guests for those dates!! 

[Alice595]

@Inna22 What did you tell her? Did you messaged her with all the feedback from hosts in this thread? 🙂 I guess that she was scared:-)