Not feeding guests?

[ReginaFelangi]

Just wondering if I ABU.

Some friends are throwing a party. It's a big anniversary at a village hall and has been organised for months. They have lots of friends going. Most are having to travel quite a long distance and have booked hotels at £60+ for the night.

A few weeks back guests were told no drinks would be provided. Now it's clear they're not providing any food either.

I'm not really sure what the point is anymore. I would never arrange a party with no food or drinks! Do you think this is unreasonable?

[Squooshed]

Oh yeah, like those rugby players who crash landed in the Andes......

[TheExMotherInLaw]

... also peeking in for an update - but she said they were making a weekend of it, so probably stuck on the M6 on their way home

[ReginaFelangi]

Sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry!!! I forgot to take a charger for my iphone and DH only has a samsung. Been without a phone for most of the weekend!

Yes, the party was this weekend. DH rang a couple of days before and said he wasn't feeling up to performing. They said they'd arranged the band from 7:30pm anyway, so they didn't need him to do his act. (Nice of them to let us know!)

It took us a bit longer than expected to eat at the recommended eatery and by the time we'd got to the hotel and changed it was about 8pm. We went to the party: DCs grabbed their ear defenders before we'd even parked the car. It was SO loud. The "child friendly outside area" was a tiny square of grass that led around the back of the hall and straight onto a main road. So they were cooped up inside with us. When we walked in there were maybe 30 adults all sitting there at the back of the hall (ie as far as they could get from the band) not talking to each other (there was no point) and ignoring the bowls of wotsits and salt and vinegar twists on each table. There was a table with disposable cups on and labels (so we could label our own drinks ) and some crayons and paper for the kids. The band played for over an hour, then had a 5 minute break in which I tried to talk to as many people as I could. Lots of people left. A couple arrived with a baby who promptly burst into tears as it was so loud. They handed over a card before walking out. We left at 9:30pm. I heard from others that the cake didn't get cut, and they were moaning about people not eating the snacks that they'd gone to :great effort" to provide.

I strongly suspect this friendship is going to fizzle out. (We took a card but no present.)

[fastdaytears]

on so many levels. Labelling drinks...is that a thing?

[ExasperatedAlmostAlways]

I'm so glad it seems like it was shit, not for your sakes but for theirs. what type of music were the band playing? has there been updates from her on fb since regarding the party? Did any other guests from.the party stay in same hotel as you and most importantly, despite the party, did you have a good weekend?

[Bunbaker]

How not to throw a party. Have you been in contact with any of the other victims guests?

[thenightsky]

Oh god, I've been to parties like this. Or rather I've 'called in' at parties like this.

180 mile there and back trip to call in and drop a card off is above and beyond friendship.

[MillionToOneChances]

I often label drinks. At children's parties.

[DragonsCanHop]

Wow. That is the best, worst party ever.

[Ziar]

Arf @ Can he impersonate a buffet?

A party with no food or drink? How odd.

[hibbleddible]

Disposable cups for the drinks the guests bought themselves?

Was there not even any soft drinks provided?

I would have thought that for the cost of the band they could have laid a decent buffet and drinks table. How odd.

[ReginaFelangi]

what type of music were the band playing?

Thrash metal. And apparently when they'd finished they asked for the details of their hotel only to be told nothing had been arranged. They had to drive all the way back to where they came from (200 miles!).

[Bunbaker]

This is unbelievable. I wonder how many friends they will have left after this fiasco.

[BrilliantineMortality]

Did the hosts appear to be enjoying themselves?

[ReginaFelangi]

They were certainly enjoying the band and ignoring everyone else's discomfort but I hear they were very vocal later on about the people that didn't show up. They were expecting close to 100 people. As I say, I saw about 30.

[ObsidianBlackbirdMcNight]

Thrash metal? Starting to feel op may be on a wind up...that's a detail too far!

Op I'm not really troll hunting, but that is completely bizarre. They really hired a thrash metal band for a child friendly party?

[ReginaFelangi]

It genuinely was. They played their own stuff plus covers of bands like Led Zepplin. It's the husband's favourite type of music. The party ceased to be very child friendly when the start time was moved from 5pm to 7:30pm.

[MrsWembley]

Oh, Regina, thank-you for the update and please, please do keep us updated with repercussions on fb, as the hosts berate the no-shows.

This one will run and run...

[SladeGreen]

Thrash metal!! I can't stop laughing

I'm actually surprised that there wasn't a punch-up in the car park, or some sort of showdown at least. Do you think it will all kick off on Facebook? Please say yes

Shame about the little kids though

[FishWithABicycle]

Wow! Worst party ever!

[WhatTheJeffHasGoneOnHere]

OP, please update on how this one plays out post party.

[Trills]

Did you have a good weekend otherwise?

It sounds like you did well to organise other fun things to do so that the drive was not JUST for the party.

[LeftMyRidingCropInTheMortuary]

Ooh, glad I looked this one up again!
Were the "hosts" disappointed re gifts? I remember they were looking forward to lots of expensive bottles of champagne!

[Bunbaker]

I want more feedback on this party.