05/06/2026
🤍 The Hospitality You Don't Always See
When faced with unforeseen excess attendance, we choose to accommodate, not calculate.
At The White Lily, one of the values we hold closest is hospitality—taking care of our guests with kindness, understanding, and genuine concern for their experience.
Recently, we have come across questions and discussions regarding catering and guest attendance during certain events. We appreciate the opportunity to provide some clarity on how our catering service is planned and how our team responds when unexpected situations arise.
Every menu served at The White Lily is planned by our chef and team based on the confirmed guest count provided before the event. Food quantities include built-in allowances for second helpings, larger appetites, and a contingency buffer for a reasonable number of unexpected attendees.
Unlike many venues, we have chosen to remain flexible with our clients. We do not charge corkage fees for additional food, desserts, beverages, rice, lechon, or other items that hosts may wish to bring. We also do not impose fees for excess guests who arrive beyond the confirmed guest count.
Because we allow guests to bring additional food and beverages without corkage fees, many celebrations feature a mix of dishes prepared by The White Lily and dishes brought in by the host, family members, sponsors, or friends. While we take great pride in the meals prepared by our chef and kitchen team, not all food served during an event necessarily comes from our catering service.
There are occasions when actual attendance significantly exceeds the confirmed guest count. In some cases, a substantial number of attendees arrive on the day of the event who were not included in the final headcount provided to our team.
When this happens, our team is faced with a choice.
We could refuse to serve beyond the booked count, impose additional charges like other resorts and hotels, or turn guests away. In our case, we choose to adapt. Rather than allowing some guests to go without a meal, we adjust portions and service accordingly to ensure that every guest is welcomed, served, and fed.
Out of respect for our clients, these situations are often handled discreetly. When faced with unforeseen excess attendance, our focus is not on imposing fees, but on helping families navigate unexpected challenges with greater peace of mind.
To the parents, families, and hosts who have tearfully embraced our team after a celebration that tested us in ways no one expected, thank you for your trust. We carry those moments with us, and they serve as a constant reminder that true hospitality is about caring for people, preserving their dignity, and protecting the joy of the celebration.
🤍 The White Lily