Save The Date etiquette for a non-wedding party?

bellebride116

Would you side eye receiving a save the date for a formal birthday party? 

AdeleDazeem

Honestly...?  Yes'm.

MissKate2011

depends...?
Is it for a special birthday?  Surprise party?  Weekend away?

A normal birthday then yes, but a 50th or something during a long weekend at a cottage then no.

Meg1036

I might not if it was a big milestone year and a big party (think turning 50 and 200 people attending).

Otherwise, I would.

Beachy730

Eh, I don't know.  I guess it would depend on how formal the party is, and what kind of a birthday.  If I got one for my cousin's 24th birthday, I'd side-eye it.  But my family did a huge formal dinner party for my Papa's 80th, and we did basically STD emails so everyone knew when it would be ahead of time.

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

If it's any kind of event where you expect people will fly in and book hotel rooms, then no.

I think SmokeyBailey did something like this for a huge surprise party she planned for her FI's 40th.

opalsky007

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_save-date-etiquette-non-wedding-party?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:97df9d7b-5f47-4e47-b5f6-630a2abe2e1bPost:b21c94b2-aac4-41e0-ba68-b919dcbe2f6f">Re: Save The Date etiquette for a non-wedding party?</a>:
[QUOTE]depends...? Is it for a special birthday?  Surprise party?  Weekend away? A normal birthday then yes, but a 50th or something during a long weekend at a cottage then no.
Posted by MissKate2011[/QUOTE]

<div>This.</div>

mizjodi

Initially, yes I'd side-eye!  But the pps made some good points

tenofcups4me

A formal save the date? Yes, I'd side-eye it. But an email or phone call telling me it's coming up is fine.

bellebride116

Thanks for the opinions! 

I feel completely torn. Normally, I would side eye, but I'm not sure what to do! 

So here's some more details:

So this is for my parents {joint} surprise 60th. We booked a catering hall. We'll be having a cocktail hour and seated dinner, DJ, etc. We do have a hotel block. No one will be flying in for it {that I know of}, but there will be people traveling and staying over. 

The reason why I was even thinking of sending them out is so everyone is on the same page to keep the surprise AND because it's myself and my little brothers throwing it. They want to contribute financially so the only way we could do it is if it's a Friday night {cheaper than a Sat}, so for those traveling {from NJ or something}, I thought maybe to give them advance notice to make arrangements since some may be working. Cocktails are 7-8 and dinner is 8-12. 

I want to do whatever is appropriate, just not 100% sure what that is in this case. 

ahhhitsshannyn

I think an email STD would be better in this situation. You would not want someone to put it up on their fridge and your parents to see it when they go over or something.

The Mel and Todd Show

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_save-date-etiquette-non-wedding-party?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:97df9d7b-5f47-4e47-b5f6-630a2abe2e1bPost:b21c94b2-aac4-41e0-ba68-b919dcbe2f6f">Re: Save The Date etiquette for a non-wedding party?</a>:
[QUOTE]depends...? Is it for a special birthday?  Surprise party?  Weekend away? A normal birthday then yes, but <strong>a 50th or something during a long weekend at a cottage</strong> then no.
Posted by MissKate2011[/QUOTE]

That is very specific. 

LuluP82

I think you could do it in your situation. Just send an email, like someone suggested. It's not a random birthday get together at a bar; it's a formal party for a milestone birthday for both your parents.

Beachy730

I would go with an email STD then.  You can get more info out in an email than on an STD, and like a PP said they might stick it on their fridge.