Bday Dinner, Good Idea or Bad Idea

Hmm...I kind of think you will need to pay for them-esp if you are paying for half the dinner party. Don't you think it will be awkward when his mom and cousing don't take out their wallets and the friends do?
Why don't you plan a mini surpise party for him? You go out to dinner as planned and have your friends gather at your house to wait for you with a cake and cocktails? HAve the MIL and cousin come back too. Maybe on your drive home you stop at the store for something you 'forgot' and they make it there before you to be in on the surprise.

I think you should tell them that you are treating your "husband" to his Birthday dinner but ask them if they would like to join you to celebrate. They should see that everyone pays their own way. If you still feel uncomfortable then you and your husband should go to dinner but then have cake at your home and invite your friends for cake, ice cream and coffee.

Btw, how do I post a question on here? I can't seem to figure it out?

Hope you have a great Birthday celebration regardless.

When you invite them just mention that dinner runs about _$ and they will get the idea! Have fun but becareful alot still going on down there! I li e minutes away!

All or nothing. It would be rude for you to pay for half of the dinner party.

I agree with Jolyn. Invite the others out for dessert or back to the hotel or someone's house if they're ok with that. You don't want to deal with any awkwardness on your hubby's b-day. Even if you tell the couples ahead of time that they would have to pay for themselves, you'd have to divide or split the check and it would be uncomfortable at the end when you go to pay. Definitely find a way to extend the evening beyond dinner so you can hang out with everyone and don't have to worry about the expense or the expectations.