Am just back to this thread and interested to see all the varying replies.
Just to clarify, the invite was by text to everyone.
I know this couple and they are neither show-offs or kill joys.
They work damn hard, spent a lot on renovating a victorian house. Someone dropped in one day wearing stillettos and the damage caused by one person in one afternoon to the floors was unbelievable.
So i didnt think it unreasonable that they should ask people no stilettos. It was clear that ordinary heels were allowed, just not the really pointy stiletto ones.
They would never, and have never, asked anyone to remove their shoes at the door as would be too embarrassed. But that's why they wanted to give people advance warning.
To those who say they should have picked another floor, or should not bother throwing parties, I think that's a bit ridiculous. If you have an old house, are they seriously saying the floors should be lifted and replaced with something really hard, like marble or granite or something, just to spare the annoyance of a few people who might come to the party they might throw only once every couple of years anyway??
Arent folk entitled to have a nice home and entertain in that home without worrying about damage? Red wine spillage no problem, broked ornament, no biggie. Pock marked and ruined old oak floor...bye bye a shedload of money!