we are doing a informal buffet dinner (paninnis, salads, fruits) at the hotel meeting room where all of our OOT guests are staying including FH's family. My parents are paying for this since my FH's family hasn't really offered to pay and they are all traveling to NY. The wedding is the next day and my mom does not want to include alcohol. Not b/c she's worried ppl will be drinking too much but more b/c it's really expensive to order alcohol per person through the hotel (and we can't bring in outside alcohol) we had to do it at the hotel since it's like 60 people and they don't all have cars to go somewhere else, not to mention it's jan 1st, new years day.
Is it completely unacceptable to not have alcohol at the 'rehearsal dinner'? my mom was thinking of bringing in her own sparkling cider to do a toast. ahhhh i hate planning this part!
leesah85
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Re: RD dilemma
i think the toast is a good idea. and just have the waitstaff that is serving drinks (like sodas and stuff) tell people that it's a cash bar or something.
we did this for our e-party and it wasn't a big deal. we had like 10 bottles of wine with us and anything above and beyond that, guests had to buy on their own.
fdnybride163
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does the hotel have a bar that they could purchase drinks from? you should at least make them aware that they can have a cash bar available if they wish to purchase.
or see if you can just purchase like 15 bottles of wine to have out if someone wants
sandybeaches115
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the hotel does have a cash bar in the lobby right across the way...Of course this will be an option. Thanks for the ideas ...i'm going to ask if i can get bottles of wine through the hotel instead of paying alcohol per person through the hotel.
JAAMS
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Hmm maybe they have a beer, wine, and soda package? Those are usually cheaper.
Jesebelle
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Honestly, it's just a RD. I don't think booze is really necessary. People will be tired, you will want to go to sleep early for the big day, and no booze means a shorter party. People can eat and talk without alcohol!
sandybeaches115
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I just can't rationalize asking my parents to pay for an alcoholic package for 60 people when they are paying for the entire wedding the next day! I hope ppl understand!!
i emailed the hotel to ask about purchasing at least wine bottles!
ItalianBella1122
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Posted by Jesebelle
Honestly, it's just a RD. I don't think booze is really necessary. People will be tired, you will want to go to sleep early for the big day, and no booze means a shorter party. People can eat and talk without alcohol!
ITA!!!! The purpose of the rehearsal dinner, IMO, is to feed the people who have attended the wedding rehearsal. Don't feel the need to have to make it a whole party in and of itself! I think your guests will appreciate the meal and will be excited for the major partying that is to come... I wouldn't worry about it at all.
MissingLI
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Posted by ItalianBella1122
Posted by Jesebelle
Honestly, it's just a RD. I don't think booze is really necessary. People will be tired, you will want to go to sleep early for the big day, and no booze means a shorter party. People can eat and talk without alcohol!
ITA!!!! The purpose of the rehearsal dinner, IMO, is to feed the people who have attended the wedding rehearsal. Don't feel the need to have to make it a whole party in and of itself! I think your guests will appreciate the meal and will be excited for the major partying that is to come... I wouldn't worry about it at all.
I agree. I really think that you are doing so much for all of them already by having a party before the party for them. I don't think anyone will be upset by not having alcohal available. If they want it that bad they can go to the bar in the hotel. Don't stress about it.
IrishAli
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Re: RD dilemma
We had this dilemma, and we ended up adding house wine and beer for $5 pp. So I think the bottles of wine would be good- maybe you can bring your own and pay a small corking fee? I would definitely ask!
I felt bad not having alcohol at the RD, and we ended up with a good price pp.
Joeswifey2B
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oh yea see if maybe you can just do wine beer and soda and cap it off at a certain point.. they hotel has to work with you some how.. if not youll have to do a cash bar
IrishAli
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Hahah- have a wine bar set up in your room and send people to get their supplies....hahah
kshea23
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if they have a cash bar, then let your guests have that option. \
we're paying for the appetizer, salad, entree, dessert, and unlimited soda. If my guest want alcohol, they can pay for it themselves. We've already mentioned it to everyone involved, and they all completely agreed.
sandybeaches115
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Re: RD dilemma
Posted by IrishAli
Hahah- have a wine bar set up in your room and send people to get their supplies....hahah
my mom had this idea! set up the bar in someone's room ahhaha!!
kfizz
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Re: RD dilemma
I think it is fine to not have alcohol but make sure it is still an option for gusts if they would like to have it. Most people will be fine with it.
