How can I invite people to join us at a restaurant to celebrate and make it clear it is pay for yourself?

Its my boyfriend's 50th birthday. I cannot afford to pay for 12 to eat at applebees but would like to have a small gathering for him there. How can I say it politely in an email invite?
How can I invite people to join us at a restaurant to celebrate and make it clear it is pay for yourself?
I'd make a joke of it. Like Hey We would love your company but unfortunately we have to start saving for retirement...if you would like to join us for drinks...come to...
Reply:BYOC (bring your own cash). The retirement joke is a good one too.
Reply:You can tell people but be prepared.... cause what will you do if someone just stands up and leaves? Will you stop the celebration in order to ask them to give you some money?


I have tried such things, but at the end, I always had to pay for more than expected. Good luck.
Reply:Maybe you could say something like "first drink is on us" or "appetizers are on us" or maybe "come for birthday cake" and then provide the cake. If you are inviting guests, then you should pay for either the cake or some small thing at least. Otherwise, why have it at a restaurant? If you are inviting someone it is usually presumed that the host will provide for the guests. If you word it in the way I've stated above, then people know you are only providing certain things and they are expected to pay for the rest of the way. Other than that, I would either pare down your guest list or do something more affordable that enables you to pay for your guests.
Reply:"Come one, come all to the party. We're all getting together for a meal, everyone paying their own way." You don't need to go into why things are this way and finances, etc. Make sure the restaurant does separate checks for each group or party.





Perhaps you can afford to bring a cake or something similar that the restaurant agrees with - most are OK with this. Mention this on the invite if you can do this. In this way people will at least get something for attending, other than your lovely personality and presence. :o)





Good luck!
Reply:haha. suggest to his friends that the 12 of you are treating him to a dinner celebration. if the 12 are close friends then it goes without saying they ought to treat and have a gathering since its his birthday!





You could have it at your house. its only 45 mins. and its a birthday celebration. u worry too much. Are u close friends with them? If u are then im sure they wont mind.
Reply:Tell them just as clearly- " You have to pay whatever you order, I can't pay for you but I would love you to join us."- Tell them I am sorry but...
Reply:Just add "Food and Beverage are not covered"
Reply:If you can't afford it, don't do it. Celebrate it without those "people".
Reply:Collect the money in advance and then you order based on how much money you get and everyone share
Reply:I literally just hosted a 55th birthday party for my husband - at the end of the e-mail I wrote "Just so you all know I can't pay for 15 meals - so you are paying for your own dinner!" Everyone I invited were friends and everyone completly understood, it was a great night!





Happy Birthday to your boyfriend!
Reply:Maybe you should just have it at your home because if you invite people out to dinner for a birthday, it is assumed that you're paying for it. Sorry I don't have the answer for you.
Reply:You can't. If you're inviting people to a party, you cannot politely ask them to pay for themselves. You could try a VERY informal approach -- What you CAN do is say something like - Joe and I are going to dinner at Applebees on Friday. We're all going "dutch treat," but would be happy to get a bigger table if you want to join in. Let me know by Tuesday, and I'll save you a seat.
Reply:If your inviting close friends and/or family they should understand. I had a party of 22 for my mates 40th and everybody paid their own way. They didn't expect me to pay for it all. Although I did pay for 4 hotel rooms after dinner. We had a blast!!! Just tell them when you invite them.
Reply:Name the time and place then in small print maybe put dinner and drinks on your own expense. Put it after the RSVP date.