Engagement Celebration - is this rude?

If you don’t want it to be a formal celebration and you don’t want to pay, then I’d just recommend asking your friends if they want to spend the evening at the bar with you. I wouldn’t send formal invitations or call it a “party” because then they may assume they have to bring gifts and may expect for you to pay.

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Agreed with PP. we wanted to do this but ended up not due to schedules.

I wouldn't call it an engagement celebration or invite people if you aren't covering food cost.

Engagement parties are usually thrown by someone else in your honor. I can't think of a way to throw one for yourself without paying for everyone.

For any restaurant meal or drinks, if you invite people to celebrate with you, your special occasion, you pick up the check.

Thank you for the advice. We will either cover costs or do a house party and provide food and drinks. Thank you everyone.