So I'm having my sister's baby shower at a restaurant, probably in a private area. Should be about 20 people. My plan is to have it at like 7:30 p.m. and I will order/pay for a selection of appetizers and salads for the group to share, as well I will pay for soft drinks.
How do I word it on the invitation, so that people don't think that they have to pay for their own meal or chip in?
I picked a later time, so that people wouldn't think it was dinner. I plan on telling the waiters not to give out menus. What else can I do to make it clear? Am I better to have it at like 2 pm to reduce the chance that people would order alcohol? I really can't afford to pay for alcohol for everyone.
2007-08-08 05:28:05 · 14 answers · asked by who-wants-to-know 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
People are likely to drink at any time, but perhaps 2 p.m. is a less likely time than after dinner.
Perhaps you can say "Come enjoy a night of appetizers and refreshments."
If you are going to provide the food and drink, then you are going to have to foot the bill regardles of the price. You can't start limiting people during the night or cutting them off at a certain point. So perhaps a way around this is to ask the waiter or waitresses to bring X amount of wine to the table (however much you want to pay), so that people know that what's on the table is what they get. Any other alcoholic beverages can be billed to the individual people.
Or you can say "come enjoy a night of appetizers and refreshments (non-alcoholic). This kind of gets the point across without bieng too abrupt.
2007-08-08 05:40:00 · answer #1 · answered by Melissa 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with the wording "A selection of appetizers and salads will be provided." As far as drinks go, if you hold this thing around 2 or 3 pm, you shouldn't have anyone ordering alcoholic drinks anyway. I don't think it would be something to worry about anyway, most people would realize how tacky that would be at a baby shower. You may want to already have pitchers of soft drinks available at the table when the guests arrive.
2007-08-08 19:37:06 · answer #2 · answered by missbeans 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would say don't put anything at all. You're hosting the shower. That implies you're paying for it.
If you decide not to have the waiters pass out menus, have a preprinted one to give everyone to choose from one of a few reasonable dishes (so you don't end up paying for someone else to get the steak and lobster and three margaritas).
As far as alcohol goes, personally I'd do what I could to avoid it being there. When the guest of honor can't have any, I think it's tactless to have others drinking at the baby shower. That's just my opinion.
If you want, on the menu you print up and pass out, include the drinks that you'll pay for, just don't word it like that. Remove the little drink menus from the tables. Print up something like this:
Appetizers
--------------
Spinach & Artichoke Dip
Chips and Salsa
Fried Mozzerella
Chicken Tenders
Stuffed Mushrooms
Salads
----------
Garden
Caesar
Chef Salad
Unlimited sodas, tea and coffee
At most functions like this I've gone to, people assumed that if it wasn't on the menu and they wanted it, it would be a cost they cover for themselves.
2007-08-08 06:53:25 · answer #3 · answered by CrazyChick 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Horderves For Baby Shower
2016-10-21 10:21:05 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would not hold it at 7:30 people will assume it includes dinner and they might be annoyed when they find it does not.
I would hold it at about 2:00 pm and I would probably word the invitation " Baby Shower and Afternoon Tea."
I ordering pitchers of soda\juice so that people do not feel tempted to order a cocktail.
Showers typically imply that food is being provided.
2007-08-08 05:36:43 · answer #5 · answered by Gaby 4 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Your timing is wrong. Have it at 3:00 in the afternoon and word it as a "tea." At 7:30 it is assumed to be dinner and later would be cocktails. I would do a champange brunch around 11:00.
Yes, you do need to feed people if you can't afford it don't do it. A shower is a bid for gifts and not to feed people is tacky.
2007-08-08 08:27:01 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
What you put is exactly fine - "We will be providing a selection of salads and appetizers, along with soft drinks."
Providing = we pay for it.
If anyone wants to order alcohol or a full meal, it should be very evident from this wording that it is at their own expense.
You are very considerate to think of how this would best be communicated to your guests. Good for you!
2007-08-08 05:33:25 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 0⤋
Just say appetizers and beverages will be provided. If someone tries to order any alcohol the waitperson will discreetly tell them that it is not an open bar and that anything ordered from the bar will have to be paid for by them.
2007-08-08 05:53:00 · answer #8 · answered by Angela C 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would write something like: Appetizers, salads for all to share and soft drinks will be provided. Menus are available if you wish to purchase anything more. Hope this helps.
2007-08-08 05:45:06 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Make arrangments to have it buffet style through the restaurant and then put on the invitation, buffet included.
2007-08-08 05:55:24 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋