Re asking about paying for party?

[clary]

DD's friend is having a brunch at some restaurant for her 16th party.

Last year the same girl invited DD and a group of girls to eat at a local all you can eat place for her birthday. It costs £14, so not cheap, but good value I guess as it includes all courses (£2 extra for unlimited pop).

When DH dropped her off she (DD I mean) said oh by the way I need the £14 to pay for the food! Not sure how long she had known about this, but I was annoyed. If you invite to a party surely you pay?

So WIBU when I asked DD to check with friend this time if friend's mum was paying for the brunch or would we have to cough up? Because if we do, I'm not sure I am going to shell out for a present too

My meals out from around age 14+ parents payed for our own meals. And from 16+ i had a part time job so funded it myself rather than my parents.

plus its different when its a meal (without parents, please dont go thats just embarrassing) because you can budget yourself by what you choose to eat whilst still celebrating the birthday with your mates, or its cheap like the £14 place. Something organised where its a flat £30 etc doesnt leave any manoeuvrability.

I'm with u OP.

If you invite people to join you, you should pay imo.

Yes, I would expect the parents to pay for everyone. It's a party, so of course the host/their parents pay.

My DC turned 16 recently and DH and I paid for him to take his friends to a buffet restaurant (DH and I went too). There were balloons and cake, just like we'd have had at home. Would anyone expect guests to pay an entrance fee, or for their food, if the party was being held at home?