Invited to a group meet up but NOT the meet up group chat?

[Ahsoka2001]

I've been invited to a surprise birthday get-together for my friend (which I'm really looking forward to and grateful for). I was told about in-person by a mutual friend. What's really confusing me is that instead of simply adding me to the group chat so I stay updated, he forwarded me the message from the chat regarding times/locations.

He said last week the chat was "mostly waffle now" which I'm guessing is why he didn't add me. But wouldn't it be a good idea for me to be in there just in case important info is raised? I've asked him and the person organising it and they just sort of said we'll let you know if there's any info.

It's not the end of the world, I'm just really confused that I've been invited to a meet up but not the group chat about it?? Do they actively not want me in the chat? I can't think why that would be (maybe there's members in there that don't give out phone numbers?) - why would they be fine with me being there in person but not virtually?

Perhaps the group chat is more for the organisers rather than all attendees.

or perhaps the people in the group chat have already arranged to contribute to a group gift and it might be too late to add you into the gift, so maybe they are embarrassed that they forgot to add you in sooner.

Maybe the group chat was already an existing group chat. As long as you're invited and have all the relevant information i wouldn't worry about it.

They might be discussing some of the surprise elements maybe? As long as you have the actual party details, I wouldn’t worry, it’s one less chat thread to keep up with.