Are you worried that asking guests to “pay for their own meal” is rude or insulting?
Perhaps you’re looking for an alternative, but you don’t even know where to start.
Well, it’s lucky we’re here for you, then!
This article has gathered some great alternatives to teach you how to politely say “pay for your own meal” on an invitation.
Is It Rude to Say “Pay for Your Own Meal”?
It is not rude to say “pay for your own meal.” However, you need to be very careful with your wording to ensure you’re as polite as possible.
For instance, this wording sample will show you what not to do:
You need to pay for your own meal.
As you can see, it’s quite demanding and forceful. This is a terrible way to ask guests to pay for their own food.
Instead, you can refer to these wording samples to learn how to use it politely:
We’re happy to invite you to our wedding, and we hope you’re okay to pay for your own meal.
We look forward to seeing you there. Of course, it’s a pay-for-your-own meal event.
Pros
- It’s not rude and makes sure guests know what to expect from your event.
- It’s a reasonable request if you can’t afford to pay for every guest’s meal.
Cons
- It can easily appear rude or forceful if you word it wrong.
- It’s not exactly the most friendly phrase.
There’s nothing wrong with using “pay for your own meal” on any dinner invitation. Of course, that doesn’t mean you should limit yourself to using it as your only option.
So, keep reading to learn how to ask guests to pay for their own meal at a wedding or other special occasion. We’ve touched on some of the best alternatives to help you.
What to Say Instead of “Pay for Your Own Meal”
- We can split the bill
- It’s going to be a self-pay gathering
- Each person covers their own meal
- If everyone could please take care of their own expenses
- Everyone is responsible for their meal costs
- Please be prepared to handle your own dining bill
- We are having a no-host dinner
- Each guest will be responsible for their own meal
- You’re in charge of your own dinner expenses
1. We Can Split the Bill
There’s nothing wrong with keeping things simple when inviting friends out. If you want to ask them to pay for their own food, just say “we can split the bill.”
This is a direct and clear way to let friends know you expect them to pay for dinner.
It works well in a birthday invitation. After all, the chances are high that you’ll only invite your closest friends to your birthday party. So, they’ll probably be more than happy to pay for their own meal.
Also, check out this sample invitation to figure out how to use it:
Dear Friends,
I hope you’re ready to celebrate my birthday party with me.
If you don’t mind, we can split the bill; otherwise, I won’t be able to afford all the food!
With love,
Michelle Davis
2. It’s Going to Be a Self-Pay Gathering
You can also write “it’s going to be a self-pay gathering.” This is a nice way to say “pay for your own meal” when setting up a business event.
For instance, you might be inviting clients to come along to an event. So, you’ll need to send invitations via email to generate interest.
Well, this phrase works wonders when letting clients know to buy their own food. If they’re happy to do so, they’ll be more likely to come without asking further questions.
Check out this example if you want to see more about how to use it:
Dear Miss Kingston,
The event is on Friday.
It’s going to be a self-pay gathering, but I look forward to seeing you there on the day.
Many thanks,
Tommy Love
3. Each Person Covers Their Own Meal
You can keep things simple by saying “each person covers their own meal.” It’s a great way to invite someone to dinner and not pay for every attendee.
Generally, you can use this when sending a bulk invitation. It’s an effective way to keep people’s expectations of an event fair by showing that you’re not paying for anyone’s food.
If the attendees are still happy to come, then they won’t argue about the food on the day. After all, they’ve already been made aware that you won’t be paying for it.
Feel free to review this example if you still need help:
Dear All,
Each person covers their own meal, but we certainly hope you’re happy to attend.
We look forward to seeing you all there.
Warmest regards,
Mathew Hancock
4. If Everyone Could Please Take Care of Their Own Expenses
You can include “if everyone could please take care of their own expenses” on something like a wedding invitation.
It’s a helpful way to show guests that you’d appreciate it if they could pay their own way when attending your wedding.
It’s polite and caring. So, you can’t go wrong with it when inviting close friends and family via letters, emails, or personalized invitations.
If you’re still unsure, check out how to use it in this example:
Dear Madison,
We would like to invite you and your family to celebrate our big day with us.
If everyone could please take care of their own expenses, that would be great.
Thanks so much,
George O’Connor
5. Everyone Is Responsible for Their Meal Costs
Another way to say “pay for your own meal” is “everyone is responsible for their meal costs.”
This is a democratic way to show that everyone is treated fairly. It suggests that no matter who attends a party or event, everyone is in charge of their own costs.
Generally, this will work well when inviting coworkers to a dinner party. That way, no coworker is going to feel left out or like you’re deliberately trying to get them to pay more.
Here’s a great invitation sample to show you how to use it:
Dear Guests,
I’d very much appreciate it if you could come to this dinner event with me.
Of course, everyone is responsible for their meal costs upon arrival.
Best regards,
Sally Taylor
6. Please Be Prepared to Handle Your Own Dining Bill
Next, feel free to write “please be prepared to handle your own dining bill.”
This phrase works well as it prepares the guests to pay beforehand. The sooner you can inform guests that they will be paying, the easier it’ll be to bring up.
That’s why we like using this phrase when sending an invitation to all guests. It gets straight to the point and ensures there’s no confusion.
Also, you can review this example to learn more about it:
Dear Guests,
Please be prepared to handle your own dining bill at our wedding.
We’d certainly love to have you there, but you will have to pay for your food.
Best wishes,
Sean Walker
7. We Are Having a No-Host Dinner
Feel free to include “we are having a no-host dinner” in an invitation. It shows the attendees that they are expected to pay if they want any food.
Of course, “no-host dinner” might need a bit more of an explanation. It’s not always the most common phrase, and some people would prefer it if you explained to them what it means.
However, it’s still useful as a formal option that shows people need to pay for their food.
If you’re still unsure, you can check out this invitation sample:
Dear All,
We are having a no-host dinner to celebrate this wonderful time!
If you would like to attend, please respond to this letter with an RSVP!
Thank you so much,
Jon Forth
8. Each Guest Will Be Responsible for Their Own Meal
It’s also useful to try “each guest will be responsible for their own meal.” This shows that everyone is treated equally and must pay for their food.
Generally, this works well when inviting friends to a birthday party. It shows that you’re not singling anybody out, and you’re happy for all to attend as long as they pay.
You can also review this invitation example:
Dear Michael and Evie,
I hope you can come along to attend my birthday event!
Each guest will be responsible for their own meal, but I hope this isn’t a problem.
Yours,
Georgia Anthony
9. You’re in Charge of Your Own Dinner Expenses
One last synonym we want to touch on is “you’re in charge of your own dinner expenses.”
This is a great way to be formal and polite. It’s nice and shows that you’ve already planned for all guest attendees to pay for their own dinner.
Generally, this is a great way to let people know that it’s nothing personal. Instead, it shows that everyone attending will pay, so they should only agree to come if they’re willing to pay.
Check out this invitation sample to learn more about how to use it:
To My Esteemed Guests,
I hope I will see you at my birthday party on Friday!
You’re in charge of your own dinner expenses, but I look forward to your company.
Best regards,
Michelle Keegan