So FH's parentes are very generously throwing us our rehearsal dinner. Because i have such a large family theirs going to be over 40 people at our rehearsal dinner, which clearly adds up. The place where we are having the dinner wants an additional $18 a person for beer and wine. I think this is A LOT of money to ask them to pay on top of what they are already paying for dinner. I say we just have a dry dinner and then afterwards anyone who wants drinks can go to the bar. FH is worried this will look tacky. I honestly think its fine. What do you girls think?
wishingwell1230
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Re: rehearsal dinner- is this ok?
$18 seems like a lot per person for just beer/wine! We just started our research for rehearsal dinner venues, and we were getting quotes closer to $10 per person for beer/wine and more like $18 for open bar. Where are you looking? Maybe the place can work on the price with you?
We are planning to do wine/beer and then cash bar if someone wants something else. I don't think its tacky to do a dry rehearsal dinner, or have an open cash bar. Some weddings I've been to are cash bars! In the midwest, granted, but my point is, especially for a rehearsal dinner, I think its fine. :)
SoontobeLT
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Re: rehearsal dinner- is this ok?
I think it's fine to have a dry dinner or a cash bar. I think that's our plan as well and then whoever wants to meet at the bar after is more than welcome. People should understand--and the very next day they'll get an open bar!
Ker1398
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Re: rehearsal dinner- is this ok?
i've never been to a RD that didn't have drinks. i'm not going to lie, i would be disappointed. hope that doesn't make me feel like an alcoholic lol....
Karrie D
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Re: rehearsal dinner- is this ok?
$18 extra person is a lot for beer and wine. I see nothing wrong with it being a cash bar especially considering they will all be drinking for free a few days later at your wedding!
mara1017
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Re: rehearsal dinner- is this ok?
What about asking the place if you can have a tab open that you will cover a certain amount and anything extra they would have to go to the bar and pay.
We are doing something like that because I cannot see adding another $20 or so for each person.
pinkglam19
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Re: rehearsal dinner- is this ok?
I had the same issue! I finally found an amazing italian restaurant in East Northport that is doing full top shelf open bar, pasta course, salad course, and 3 choices of entrees for $28 PP!!
mjm2012
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Re: rehearsal dinner- is this ok?
maybe talk to them and see if you can pay by consumption. i'm doing that for my RD in terms of beer and wine, only paying for the pitchers of beer and bottles consumed. tell them that you don't have a lot of drinkers in the group. a lot of restaurants even if they don't tack on the extra $ per person for alcohol will charge a bartender fee to run a tab. sucks.
jenclifwed
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Re: rehearsal dinner- is this ok?
Posted by mara1017
What about asking the place if you can have a tab open that you will cover a certain amount and anything extra they would have to go to the bar and pay.
We are doing something like that because I cannot see adding another $20 or so for each person.
i like this idea thank you!!!!
PaddysGirl
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Re: rehearsal dinner- is this ok?
Wow $18 for beer and wine is crazy! At our place it's $10 for beer, wine, and soda and $15 for open bar. I am only doing beer, wine, and soda. If they want anything else they can do a cash bar.
MrsJPH2012
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Re: rehearsal dinner- is this ok?
I 100% agree with the girls who said run a tab. I didn't want to pay for an open bar because I know it wouldn't get taken advantage of the night before the wedding. I figure everyone will have a few drinks, and we will pay for only what they drank at the end of the night.
crystallite444
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Re: rehearsal dinner- is this ok?
Wow thats a lot my place charges $5. Get pitchers or carafes of wine.
kattus
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Re: rehearsal dinner- is this ok?
WOW! Our rehearsal dinner is just going to be the people involved with the wedding and their spouses. We're having it in a pub, and we chose a package that includes beer and wine; it's only a few $ more than having only soft drinks and water. Where is this place you're looking at?
jesan117
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Re: rehearsal dinner- is this ok?
IMO It is not tacky to do a dry RD and it is okay. FH and I are trying to keep the cost of our RD down and if people want drinks there is a cash bar. I am taking into consideration all of the alcohol that will be available at the wedding the next day.
futuremorasse
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Re: rehearsal dinner- is this ok?
18 is a lot! I don't think its wrong it being a cash bar. We have done it in the past and it worked out better.
bowlergyal
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Re: rehearsal dinner- is this ok?
I think a dry RD is fine. To me there will be plenty of drinking the next day and I don't want to hear anyone saying they are hung over. I'm having beer & wine, but I am having the RD at my house and a few days prior to the wedding.
If you really think it is needed then do as teh girls say and have a running tab or pay by the picther.
kitt6katt
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Re: rehearsal dinner- is this ok?
Can you just run a tab? How much are people going to drink, really? You figure the average drink costs $8. $18 means each person would have 2 drinks. Not everyone would have that, so it would balance out in your favor. Maybe the FILs can pay for the dinner and you and FH pick up the tab?
queenofhaerts
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Re: rehearsal dinner- is this ok?
Posted by pinkglam19
I had the same issue! I finally found an amazing italian restaurant in East Northport that is doing full top shelf open bar, pasta course, salad course, and 3 choices of entrees for $28 PP!!
Mind if I ask which restaurant?
jenclifwed
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Re: rehearsal dinner- is this ok?
Thanks for all the advice girls! FH and I are going to decide when we go visit the hotel this weekend ( that's where we are having the rehearsal dinner)
