To want to cancel surprise party at he last minute

[lepoardnickle]

I've organised a surprise party for my parents at the weekend, it's joint and invites went out at the beginning of March. I do understand that some people would be put off attending by the cost as its fancy dress but apart from that is it really that hard to just rsvp??
I've only got about 25 confirmed out of 75 invited. Three people txt to say they couldn't make it but I've not heard a thing from the rest, so It could be 25 people or 70+, how do I plan for that without the info?
Would I be unreasonable to just cancel due to lack of interest?

OP are you actually friends with the men on Facebook?

If not then your message will have gone into their 'filtered' folder and it's highly likely they haven't even seen it

Ignore my previous comment about Facebook, I totally missed that you also dropped off 'proper' invites!

I imagine that your parents are about my age (57) or older and suspect that the fancy dress element is what is putting everyone off. You need to contact everyone and tell them that the fancy dress is optional and ask whether they can confirm whether they are able to attend.

I agree that fancy dress is for much younger people. DD is 15 and going to a couple of fancy dress parties after the exams. I'm surprise that you thought it would go down well.

I still think it is rude not to answer though.

How rude not to let you know.

I'm afraid the fancy dress element would have me saying no way.

I wouldn't go to a fancy dress party either, I'm afraid.

The are being rude in not replying though. I'd just make excuses rather than not respond.

25 people is a lot. Were they RSVP invites?
You could contact those who haven't got back to ask if they are coming - if possible tell them it doesn't have to be fancy dress.

Hi don't cancel, 25 is a good number. Agree it's not right when people simply don't reply one way or another.

Agree with PPs that fancy dress would put a lot of people off but they should still reply! I'd get ringing round...

Hope it works out OK.

I'm older. Fancy dress would definitely put me off.

Don't cancel! I'm sure the guests will be delighted with the party and looking forward to it. 25 is a good number for a party

If it was someone important to me then of course I'd make the effort to reply, attend if at all possible, and wear fancy dress, whether I wanted to or not.

Can't bear fancy dress. Not fun at all. Just annoying and a huge faff.

Ring round.

Given that you'd have to contact everyone to cancel; could you contact everyone and say that you need confirmation of attendance or not by tomorrow midday or you'll have to cancel?

Yes, this - and consider adding that fancy dress is now optional. Risks pissing off people who have already gone to a lot of trouble, granted, but I do suspect that this is your problem.

I love fancy dress parties. I'll come