Etiquette question

[j4]

If someone invites you to a party, and the invitation doesn't say "bring partners" (but does imply that it's okay to bring friends), and your partners are not on the invite list in their own right, is it rude to email and ask whether it's okay to bring partners? Would it be rude (even ruder?) to just bring partners anyway (on the basis that they are my friends as well)? Or should one assume that if the partners in question were welcome in the first place, they would have been on the invite list?

Comments

[j4.livejournal.com]

rather than turn up with them in tow at the party and find out they aren't welcome

Ah, I wouldn't do that. If I don't ask, the fallback option will be "don't bring partner" or just "don't go to party".