Disappointed by friends dropping out of time together

[RosalindsAFuckingNightmare]

I invited a group of girlfriends over for lunch tomorrow. The invite went out about a month ago and everyone was keen to come. There's about 10 of us. This morning I went shopping for food then came home and sorted out the garden so we could sit out there. It's not looking it's best after the hot summer but I got some bunting and fairy lights, set the table plus umbrellas for shade. It looks lovely and I was looking forward to tomorrow.
But this afternoon, our Whatapp group has been full of messages from my friends crying off. Mostly to spend time with their families (I am the only one in the friend group who is childfree).
I'm so disappointed. I know that families take priority - but my friends could have declined the invite or at least said they weren't sure and would let me know! Now I have a fridge full of food that I can't possibly get through myself and a day of disappointment instead of the lovely afternoon that I was hoping for. I'm feeling sad that I won't get to see my friends and also sad that I don't have the family time that they have.

Always happens when I organise stuff too. Then I see people online that have had 80 people turn up to their baby shower. Or 200 attending their wedding. We even had day guests at our wedding that didn't bother to turn up on the day

That sucks. It seems like they didn't realize the effort you had gone to. Did you or could you have messaged them a couple days before hand saying something like I'm looking forward to our lunch I've just bought all the food?

That's good that you're still seeing your friend.

Sorry for you op lousy. Have felt that a bit with friends lately. Flaky behaviour. Was upset by it. I plan nothing now. Its disheartening. Hope you ok

I hope you had a lovely lunch out with your friend, and I'm glad you can use up the food. X

I'm not normally one for saying anything but I think this is so rude they should be called out. I would put a message saying sorry so many of you can't make it. It would have been helpful to know earlier as I have already got all the food in.

How old are their children? I have a toddler and am exhausted so may have taken the opportunity to drop out when I saw someone else do this, however, as your friend I’d make sure if the same happens next time and I can see a long list of drop outs I’d make sure I attended as I wouldn’t want the same thing to happen to you twice.

Id have also have liked you to post about your garden/the food and how you were disappointed. It would have given me a kick up the backside to message you, explain why I dropped out and to back track.

I think they should be called out too. It doesn't have to be aggressive but just that you are upset, the get together meant a lot to you and you'd have appreciated if it was something that they could have stuck to. Family time is of course important but you don't say you'll go to something then just decide not to.

A friend of mine recently invited about 10 people to a BBQ. A bit like you, invite went out about a month in advance. Unfortunately there was a train strike on the day so pretty much everyone flaked, apart from me (heavily pregnant-drove 40 mins to get to her) and her cousin (and her 1 year old, drove an hour to see her). If they're truly your friends they'll make the effort, and I would 100% call them out. It's not fair on you.