Don’t have a party if you can’t at minimum meet your guests’ basic bodily needs. Seriously. You don’t need anything fancy, but even if she’s calling it snacks and cocktails, you serve enough little chicken wings or other protein rich hors doeuvres that your guests can fill up. You don’t need seating. Just enough protein snacks so that no one has to go hungry.
And it is the height of rudeness to tell guests not to arrive hungry. You might as well ask them to drink water before they arrive because there won’t be any beverages. Or to make sure their bladders and rectums are fully voided because the restrooms will be locked.
A party = sharing of nourishment (in many ways). Even at a college dorm party, guests should expect a passing of the bong and a reach into the party size Doritos bag. Come on, mooch.
Michelle says “Pay your respects, then get the hell out!”