Too much company is not always ideal. Sometimes certain things have an intimate nature or some just prefer privacy, in which having too many people can spoil the occasion.
So how do you easily and lightheartedly tell someone not to bring friends or more people when they come over for a meeting, date, or other occasion?
15 Interesting and Funny Ways to Tell Someone Not to Bring Their Friends
- I’m so sorry, but this event is limited to family only. I hope you understand.
- The venue has strict capacity limits, so I’m afraid I can’t accommodate any extra guests.
- We don’t want what happened at Lisa’s party. Maybe just don’t invite anyone ok
- I would love to meet your friends another time, but for this particular event, it’s close friends and family only.
- Just a heads up, we’re going for a ‘quality time, not quantity of friends’.
- I’m afraid this is a members-only type of gathering, so no outside guests are allowed per the organizers.
- You know the saying about two being company, and anymore being too crowded? Keep it in mind as you attend the gala.
- Hey, I was thinking it might be nice for just the two of us to catch up, what do you think?
- I know you are a celebrity but it’s invites only. Please, keep your entourage at home.
- Just a heads up, we’re going for a ‘quality time, not quantity of friends’.
- I’m afraid this is a members-only type of gathering, so no outside guests are allowed per the organizers.
- You know the saying about two being company, and anymore being too crowded? Keep it in mind as you attend the gala.
- I know you are a celebrity but it’s invites only. Please, keep your entourage at home.
- Just a heads up, we’re going for a ‘quality time, not quantity of friends’.
- Hello everyone. I’m sorry to ruin the mood but it’s VIPs only. Those are the rules.
1. I’m so sorry, but this event is limited to family only. I hope you understand.
Be clear on the type of meeting that it is. For people who would love to come with their spouse, besties, or other people they deem close to their heart, tell them that you want a family meeting.
When you say this, use a mild tone to let them know that as much as the family lives the people the what to bring along, it’s family time. Here’s a sentence example:
- I’m so sorry, but this event is limited to family only. I hope you understand. Maybe next week we can organize something for everyone.
2. The venue has strict capacity limits, so I’m afraid I can’t accommodate any extra guests.
Let them know the restriction is from what is available. When you don’t have enough to go around, it will affect the extra people who will come along with uninvited guests.
There won’t be a place to sit, food or drink to go around and no one will be happy with that from the guests to the extras to the hosts. Simply tell everyone beforehand so no one is uncomfortable or disappointed.
Here’s a sentence example:
- The venue has strict capacity limits, so I’m afraid I can’t accommodate any extra guests so let’s stick to guests only.
3. We don’t want what happened at Lisa’s party. Maybe just don’t invite anyone okay?
Remind them of why they should not. If you give free rein for someone to invite a few friends, they might invite six or seven and think of it as just two people.
Remind them instead of how out of hand it was the last time so they don’t repeat it. Here’s a sentence example:
- We don’t want what happened at Lisa’s party. Maybe just don’t invite anyone okay? We are sticking to the list.
4. I would love to meet your friends another time, but for this particular event, it’s close friends and family only.
Specify the people allowed to come. Most people live to bring their friends along. It’s where they get to meet the family and other important people.
When you use this response, specify the friends that you consider close so they fully grasp what you are saying. Here’s a sentence example:
- I would love to meet your friends another time, but for this particular event, it’s close friends and family only. On your side, that’s Krish and Kesha.
5. I know you are a celebrity but it’s invites only. Please, keep your entourage at home.
Tease them. The queen-types that always appear with people all around her is someone you must be sure to remember.
While you can’t deal with the extra, she sees them as an extension of herself. Here’s a sentence example:
- I know you are a celebrity but it’s invites only. Please, keep your entourage at home. Next time we will have a full crowd and a table just for you and your followers.
6. Just a heads up, we’re going for a ‘quality time, not quantity of friends’.
Let them know it’s just you two. For someone notorious for inviting people you did not budget for let them know that they are not looking to create memories of laughter and vibes with a lot of people as fun as that will be but with them. Here’s a sentence example:
- Just a heads up, we’re going for a ‘quality time, not quantity of friends’. I want to spend time with you, not three other people that I don’t know their names.
7. I’m afraid this is a members-only type of gathering, so no outside guests are allowed per the organizers.
In formal settings, let them know it’s restricted to members. In a work get-together, for example, some employees might want to bring their family members or friends which may not sit well with you.
Let them know that as much as it is a casual gathering, it is for only members and they should stick to that. Here’s a sentence example:
- I’m afraid this is a members-only type of gathering, so no outside guests are allowed per the organizers.
8. You know the saying about two being company, and anymore being too crowded? Keep it in mind as you attend the gala.
Use a wise saying. If they have any brains you don’t have to look at them and start looking for subtle ways to tell them not to come with their friends.
This simple proverb should say it all. They will get the message and act accordingly. Here’s a sentence example:
- You know the saying about two being company, and anymore being too crowded? Keep it in mind as you attend the gala. After that, I have a surprise for you so it won’t work if you come with others.
9. Hey, I was thinking it might be nice for just the two of us to catch up, what do you think?
Mention that you want just the two of you. Whether it is a colleague or an old friend, you want it to be just the two of you without the interruptions or extra company of two other people. Explain to them your reason.
You might want to talk about something personal, ask a favor, or discuss topics that are best left for your ears only. Here’s a sentence example:
- Hey, I was thinking it might be nice for just the two of us to catch up, what do you think? Let’s talk a lot.
10. The last time was fun. I enjoyed meeting your friends but can we do something intimate for just the two of us?
Express your desire for quality time. Let’s say this is someone you are trying to build a relationship with and you want to get to know on an intimate level, you can never have that time to get to know if they are always with other people.
It may come off as cringey but it does pass the message. Here’s a sentence example:
- The last time was fun. I enjoyed meeting your friends but can we do something intimate for just the two of us? We could have lunch by that restaurant facing the river. What do you think?
11. Jake is planning a birthday surprise for his mum next week and he wants to invite you but he is worried you will bring the whole squad.
Put in a word of caution. Being a friend is not about being there for people at their lowest only. You can speak to people who have the habit of inviting the whole world to someone else’s party.
If they make corrections, they won’t be left out of important things. Here’s a sentence example:
- Jake is planning a birthday surprise for his mum next week and he wants to invite you but he is worried you will bring the whole squad. I will talk to him again but you have to come alone. It’s a surprise.
12. I understand how you feel about your friends but this event is for named guests so if you bring anyone they will have to be sent back.
Give them a warning. There are people that words don’t work on. To avoid the embarrassment of having to send their friends home, be sterner when you address the issue of invites.
If they love their friends as much as they say they do they will prevent it at all cost. Here’s a sentence example:
- I understand how you feel about your friends but this event is for named guests so if you bring anyone they will have to be sent back. We’d rather not have that.
13. I have only booked a table for two tonight. It will be me, you, and some nice Caribbean food.
Subtly inform them. You may not want to throw it out there that they should keep their friends at home so you can make arrangements that allow for only two of you.
A table for two, for instance, that is already booked will not accommodate more friends so they will be pushed to come without their friends. Here’s a sentence example:
- I have only booked a table for two tonight. It will be me, you, and some nice Caribbean food. We can finally kick back alone together.
14. I wish you could invite your friends but it will affect the plan and throw off the budget.
Explain to them. The truth is every event has its budget and when plans are made changing them to suit a few persons can be stressful.
Take your time then to explain why they can’t bring her friends. If they are upset, you will just have to apologize to them and hope it doesn’t happen next time. Here’s a sentence example:
- I wish you could invite your friends but it will affect the plan and throw off the budget. My sincere apologies to you all. Next time we will make more reservations.
15. Hello everyone. I’m sorry to ruin the mood but it’s VIPs only. Those are the rules.
Address the crowd. In the case where everyone is already at the venue, address the group and entrust them to the person who invited them. Let them be the ones to lead their friends away and attend to them because they are the ones who invited them.
Here’s a sentence example:
- Hello everyone. I’m sorry to ruin the mood but it’s VIPs only. Those are the rules. Do you mind leading them away?
Final Word
It’s understandable why someone might want to bring friends along to a private meeting or date – it can feel more comfortable and safe, or they may just assume it’s fine.
However, there are also good reasons the host may not be thrilled about extra guests – they want one-on-one time, have limited space, or plan for just the two of them.
While it may seem awkward to ask someone not to bring companions, using gentle humor and subtle hints as we’ve suggested can smooth over the conversation.
The lighthearted phrasing helps get the message across while keeping things positive. With these tips, you can easily let your guests know you’d prefer they come solo, avoiding hurt feelings on both sides.