What to say?

Elsa1984 · October 2012

Backstory.....sorry long......

Gator's birthday is at the end of the month. Due to having a huge family and a tiny house, it is being held in a wedding venue location that charges 3,000 to 5,000 based on how many people you are having. Her cake is being made by an awesome cake designer in the area that charges hundreds of dollars. And we are having a photographer at her party that most people in our area know of that charges over 1,200 dollars for an event. On the outside looking in, it looks like we are going insane for her birthday, paying way too much, or that we are financially loaded. Here is the catch.....we aren't paying for the venue, cake, or photographer. All three have been gifted to us. The venue is owned by a family friend. The cake designer contacted me out of nowhere and said she would be honored to do Gator's 1st birthday cake. And the photographer was supposed to be in the delivery room but due to an emergency, we ended in the OR and she was not allowed back with us. She was doing the delivery pictures as a gift to us due to me referring her as a wedding photographer for a few weddings. Since she couldn't take birth pictures, she said she would like to be there for Gator's first birthday party to take pictures. We financially, are still budgeting, couponing, etc for her party.

There have been comments made from different people asking about the cost, or saying we must be racking up a huge bill. And some have mentioned lavish ideas for the party and when I say it isn't in the budget, they look at me like I am an alien with two heads....like its crazy I have a budget yet here I am "renting a wedding venue, getting a cake from X, and having a photographer...." How can I possibly not have the funds for a bounce house, a blow up slide, face painting, etc.

I don't want it to come off across like I have tons if money, but I also don't feel the need to tell people these three things were gifted to us....and have the three people annoyed that now others are trying to get the same gift. Or bringing up us and her party as an example trying to get a lower price on services. I feel the financial aspects are between us and the people who gave us these awesome gifts.

I didn't flaunt the gifts. The location is listed on the invite. And the cake and photographer were mentioned while hanging out with a group when they asked about what the decorations and food was going to be like. The one time it was mentioned, it seems to have spread among friends/family....which was my bad for being excited and mentioning it and not just waiting for them to see come party day.

What do I say if people bring up the cost? I don't feel comfortable discussing, but I also don't feel comfortable with people thinking we are financially loaded when we aren't.

pennysuedog · October 2012

I would just say to them we really don't like to talk about finances

KrisM86 · October 2012

pennysuedog:
I would just say to them we really don't like to talk about finances

This. I think that is perfectly reasonable.

On a side note, how awesome you are able to have such a nice party for gator! Can't wait to see pictures.