Open Bar at Rehearsal Dinner?

Mmmm mellow mushroom

And this is why I'm doing a very casual RD... pizza and beer at our lake.

I think you should do what you can afford. I also think if you can afford wine/beer that you should.

We are renting a firehouse hall for our RH. We will probably buy a few 24 packs of beer and a bottle of red and white per table. With our crowd I can't see not offering some alcohol.

Why not have a dry RD? Yeah, I'm not a fan of that idea either...I'm with the others, have something cheaper with beer or whatever. We had a casual RD with beer and wine that we bought at Costco.

We will have beer, wine, and maybe coolers. I don't need anyone getting hungover.

I struggled with this because yes, it's tacky. My MIL refused to pay for alcoholic drinks simply because she's cheap (she has no issues with drinking). We were going to cover the bar tab but then my FIL stepped up and offered to pay (he's divorced from my MIL).

@BookcaseHat you aren't imagining it. I asked a similar question and the consensus was that you didn't need to provide alcohol.

https://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-forums/rehearsal-dinner-opinions-needed/94506d3b1ac72546.html

I think it depends on your bridal party and who you invite. My FMIL offered a cash bar but most of us do not drink and the other half could care less if its there or not. We are instead just going to purchase several bottles of wine and beer for who wants it the night of. IMHO there is no reason to offer more than that because no one should really be getting trashed a night before a wedding.

We considered doing a beer and wine open bat, but with the people who'll be attending and considering that we're hosting welcome drinks right after the dinner, we're gonna do the bar by consumption.

We are having ours at a restaurant and are providing the first round of beer and wine (we are buying pitchers). After those are gone, we will still provide non-alcoholic drinks, but they are on their own for alcohol. I think it's a good compromise.

You host, you pay. The rehearsal dinner should be short, sweet and casual; wine and beer is just fine, and you'll probably find that it costs less than you think.

But no, you don't make people pay for drinks.

My inlaws are hosting our grooms dinner at a restaurant that they chose, but have informed us they will not be footing a bill for alcohol. Im not sure how we are going to handle that yet.

I've been to rehearsal dinners where they didn't cover the alcohol and it was annoying. I had to pay for my own dinner too because I couldn't eat what they prepaid for. I would say cover one or two drinks per person or just do beer and wine.

I dont think ive ever had to pay for anything when Ive attended rehearsal dinners in the past. They hosted- they paid. We have had limited menus and bars and open bars. I think to be a good host the guests shouldnt have to open their wallets, espcialky since the RD is a "thank you" to the bridal party for coming to the rehearsal and standing up with you. Having them pay to thank themselves- seems weird.

The last RD I went two they provided us with two alcoholic drinks each and then we were on our own. It could be a good compromise and help you keep costs down

We are having a catered BBQ at FH's parents' home, roughly 50 people (large bridal party and their spouses and he has a large family as well). We plan to supply SOME beer and wine and maybe a couple bottles of liquor. The rest is BYOB. The last time we had a party at their home, it turned into a sloppy, drunken mess. I'm taking no chances!!! We have an open bar the next day for a reason!!!

I think that there is probably a way that you could offer a limited amount of something for at least a little while.

How about a byo place

We're doing a limited bar. All beer and wine is included, but liquor is on your own dime. Ours is strictly consumption..which definitely helps!

Were hosting 35 people for our rehearsal and doing a consumption bar. Unfortunately drinks are pretty standard at dinner parties. Can you do limited as others have suggested?

I don't think limited is available at this particular restaurant, but I think consumption would be the way to go. With our group, I don't think people would drink more than two drinks each. Everyone is pretty responsible and I would think they wouldn't want to be hung over for the wedding the next day.