Trish, a friend of mine when she turned 21 had a big night at a restaurant & she and her folks paid for it all ... So when she rang me the other week confirming my postal address to send the birthday invite for her 30th that will be at the same restaurant that she did her 21st years ago i instantly told her i would be there with bells on ... i thought again she & her folks would be paying this time as well ... I got the invite on Friday & when i read the top of the invite i thought how lovely she is inviting also my DD wow how generous ... then i read the bottom $45 per head banquet, soft drinks & wines provided ... Only i nearly fell over as that's $45 x 3 of us = $135 plus $petrol for nearly 2hr drive & $birthday gift ... I thought alot to ask for a 30th birthday celebration.

Anyway, teach me a lesson for assuming.

Moral of the story make sure it is mentioned on invites people are expected to pay for the meal eg, approx amount per head/meal ?? as my friends Hubby sent out invites for his 40th & there was no mention we were to pay & we got caught out at the restaurant with not enough money on us as the restaurant staff said they wouldn't split the bill with efpos or credit card payment & we embarrassingly asked the birthday boy if we could borrow some money just for that night until we got to a ATM later that night

For my 40th i mentioned on invites the price per head for the banquet at the Italian restaurant we went to in a function room there, even mentioning what they get for their money eg, pizza, pasta, salad & dessert for $15 per head, so it looked generous for the price & also soft drink & wine provided ... and i clearly stated on the invites no gifts to be given as my gift was for everyone coming to help celebrate my special occasion ... the invite was a success & was accepted with positive outcomes ... Some gave a gift, some gave a small gift & some gave none BUT that was all fine by me as i expected none as i requested !!