My extended family is coming to visit to celebrate my grandmothers birthday. There’s 20-25 people coming.

I found a restaurant for dinner night 1 and finally get in contact with them. They said they had a 7:15 reservation available. I needed to check with my mom first and said I’d call them back. Fast forward they then had me email the reservations email and they say they can’t take us until 8:30 which is too late. We’re welcome to put our names on the list day of though.

Here’s where I’m stuck. We need a backup but I feel bad making a 20 person reservation to cancel day of if we get in at our top choice. What would you do?