40th wedding anniversary invite

[Karen2005]

Hello

My brother, sister and I are organising a 40th wedding anniversary meal for our parents to be held at a local pub/restaurant. As a surprise we are inviting six of their close friends to join us for the meal.

We cannot afford to pay for everyone (there will be 16 adults in total) and I am looking for a nice way of wording the invitation to say that everyone will pay for their own meals and chip in for our parents. My siblings and I are fairly sure that our parent's friends wouldn't expect us to stump up for their meals anyway, but I just want to avoid any embarrassment on the day.

Can anyone suggest wording for the invitation?

Thanks.

[Schutzengel]

That's a difficult one. I'm sorry but I can't think of a diplomatic way of wording an invitation. the only thing I can think of which might help, is not to issue invitations in the first place. It would be much better to speak to the six friends individually, and explain the situation regarding the expense. It would then be up to them to decide if they wished to attend and pay for themselves. Good luck.