To move a party once invites sent

[AleenaM]

Is it awkward to move a party once invites are out ?

The party is on Easter Saturday and I've already had so many refusals, maybe around 10 (6 due to attending another party, 2 due to being away, 2 possibly away,) and many not responding at all yet. I have 14+my own 2 kids confirmed, that's little for a village hall party with a DJ & bouncy castle. Previously I've always had to limit guests even in village halls, this time I was going to invite as many as my child wishes and have a big one, inviting his whole class to stregten relations (P1) and all his friends.

I'm a bit disappointed that many aren't able to come, amonsgt the ones that can't come are some close friends. I feel like it isn't worth my effort and also I would've done a much small party if I knew, like the ones with 10-12kids limits at centres where I don't have to do the organising myself.

Would it be awkward to move the party to the following weekend (after Easter weekend). So I'd have to resend invites at school and check with my friends if they would still make it. I think the hall and DJ might be fine to move, just feel embarrassed moving it as well as worrying that maybe I get even less able to attend!?

It's a little awkward and a bit of a gamble but there is time. If you're going to do it, make a clear invite and send it out ASAP.

Yes you would be unreasonable to change the date after the invites are sent, and also unreasonable for not expecting lots of people would be busy over a Bank Holiday weekend in the Easter holidays. I think 16 children plus parents is enough for a party, I would just go ahead and be happy there's less food and party bags to organise than you thought!

I’d keep it as it is. If it was only 5 kids I’d think about changing but 16 is plenty.
You should have considered beforehand that people would be busy/away over Easter

I think 16 is plenty tbh

I would also add that I'd expect that some of the ones that haven't responded yet will come... it was my son's birthday party last Sunday, I put a deadline of a week before on the invites as I needed to confirm final numbers to the venue... 3 confirmed attendance on the deadline date and 4 in the following 3 days!!

You have enough for a party and I would find it rude if I had accepted to attend that you were rearranging the date because the people who are able to attend aren't good enough for you and you want more people to attend.
I think you should have considered it being a bank holiday before sending out the invites as school/bank holidays are always a risk of people being away

16 is plenty for a party even in a village hall situation. I wouldn't rearrange.

Well it wasn’t very smart of you to choose that day, same as a parent I know who planned a party on Mother’s Day for her dd and was upset when so many declined!

16 is a good number of kids but be prepared for many to drop out as plans change and with good weather people might not want a day wasted being tied to a kids party.

I think 16 is a very good number for Easter weekend. I wouldn't change it now. When I book parties for my children I always make sure their best friends can come first before sending invites out so maybe worth doing that in future.

His actual bday was end of March so I thought the following weekend after Easter was too far off, with it being 1month after. The other 3 weekends I was away myself due to the holidays.

It's not that the people attending aren't good enough, it's that I didn't need to book a hall where the main reason was unlimited guests if I knew I'll only have 16kids, out of which, as other pointed out, some can still drop out due to sickness or other issues.

Always makes it worthwhile planning a kids party when I read that other parents consider it a complete waste of time and a burden attending 🤣 that's so I don't say pita

There is still the chance though that those who haven't responded could turn up. That would increase the numbers. Also the weather is said to turn, so it could be that more people do suddenly want to come.

I understand it was a weekend that worked for you, but maybe avoid bank holidays or special events in the future (as agree mothers day people are often busy too).

The ones that come, invite siblings. Invite any other friends he has.