Drinks not included for rehearsal dinner?

I don't think its necessary to "warn" people ahead of time-- I've never actually been to a rehearsal dinner where alcohol was available-- who wants people hung over on the wedding day?

I would probably do menus with the meal selection (no price listed), the sodas available (no price listed), and the alcoholic drinks available (with price listed). If you think its necessary to be *really* clear, you could write something beneath in small italics "alcoholic beverages are available at cost".

PS-- I would put the menus at each place setting, not send it ahead of time.

Hmmm, I see where my mistake was. I put on a reversal dinner for my son's wedding where the wine flowed to beat the band. On the way to the hotel, I gave one of the bridesmaids cashimoto for alcohol and told them not to leave the hotel once they started drinking. Nor were they to bother me (which they did for a while). There were some green tinged faces the next morning!

We are doing a cash bar at our rehearsal dinner, we are hosting. I am not warning people ahead of time, I don't think anyone will have a problem, I know I wouldn't as a guest.

If i go to a restaurant with a bunch of people, I would hardly expect my alcoholic drinks to be covered.

I'm with Itsgoodtobeking on the fact that I wouldn't expect to be covered either, but then you haven't met some of my relatives. they would probably expect to get free drinks. even though they shouldn't.

this is a good question- isn't there a way to set things up with the restaurant to make sure people know that the drinks will be on their own tab?

I have only been to four rehearsal dinners and alcoholic beverages were always covered to some extent. Waitresses and/or bartenders should communicate what is included.

These comments surprise me. I would never invite people out to dinner and NOT cover at least beer and wine. I know that all of my friends and family enjoy beer and wine with dinner and would find it bizarre if they were invited to a dinner and had to pay for those out pocket. For our rehearsal dinner, we are covering any beverages our guests want include alcoholic beverages. Along the same lines, I've never been to a rehearsal dinner in which I had to pay for a glass of wine, a beer or a cocktail. I've also never seen anyone get out of control drunk at a RD.

Emily, I am not worried about anybody getting drunk. I am trying to control the cost for my FILs who are paying for the dinner, and FH doesn't feel comfortable with his parents paying a huge bill. The reason I included that our friends like to drink is to explain that they would most likely run up a bill.

Other comments mentioned being "hung over" at the wedding. I think most adults can handle a beer or two without being hung over the next day.

Anyway, it is just my opinion. I personally would not invite people out to dinner and expect them to pay for beverages - alcoholic or otherwise - in the same way that I would not expect guests to open their wallet at my wedding via a cash bar. It is exactly the same thing - hosting is hosting whether it's a wedding or dinner party. Having said that, you can always choose to have a dry event.

Word of mouth

We are covering one drink per person. If they want more than that, they can cover it. And I've already relayed this to the restaurant.

I plan to have wine served with rehearsal dinner. Oddly enough some friends were surprised we are covering that cost and expected to pay themselves. I figure it will only be a couple of hours so people won't get out of hand. A few folks have the ability to drink heavy but I think will be in line for this event.

I would just tell the waiter to tell them it will be an additional cost. Nobody should have a problem with that.

I wouldn't expect drinks to be covered. It is like when you go to WDW and get the meal plan everything is covered except beer.

Can you have a limited number of bottles of wine on the tables and when that's gone, it's gone? Maybe enough for 1-2 glasses per person? I agree that usually some sort of drink is covered, but if you can't afford to offer it, then you can't afford it and I'm sure people will understand.

I like the idea of leaving a few bottles of wine on the table, especially if most people like beer. Then they'll get the idea that they need to order their own. But say something, too, so they don't order a lot thinking it's free.

We are covering beer and wine for dinner. We are having open bar at our wedding. Our crowd likes to drink too but I am not worried about anyone getting smashed the night before the wedding.

I read this and I feel your friends can be friends with ours... they are all bartenders or former so they can definitely drink and that would be hundreds extra on the bill. I didnt think to do an invite, I will just include it on the text something like... please join us for rehearsal at 1100am followed by a hosted lunch at _______ alcohol drinks not included.Our friends totally will understand bc they are already not paying for anything we have paid for tuxes and dresses

At the 3 rehearsal dinners I have been to we were given a menu - typically they have a beef, chicken, and fish option, your choice of sides and SOFT DRINKS and coffee/tea you can pick. We were set up in a private room inside a restaurant. If someone wanted a beer/mixed drink etc., they had to walk to the bar and purchase it. There was no question that alcoholic drinks were not covered - it was pretty straight forward from the menu.