We want to keep our rehearsal dinner low-key and inexpensive. We contacted a local pizza place to host our rehearsal. This isn't a private space, but the restaurant will reserve tables for us. We are thinking just pizza, salad and soda/water/coffee/tea. I would like to include beer and wine, but it's just too expensive. We need to buy the wine and beer by the pitcher/bottle. In the dining area, there will be a bar because the restaurant is open to the rest of the public. Is is rude to not provide beer/wine?
I know many of our guest will more than likely buy a drink or two on their own at the bar. I don't want this to cause confusion with our guests (thinking that we're paying for drinks at the bar or putting it on our tab). Is it OK to host a rehearsal like this? I just don't want people getting confused, going up and ordering a drink and then realizing it's not included.
I know you can't come out and say, "no hosted bar." and you can't tell people it's a "cash bar". But, is there a tactful way to let people know that the bar is open to the public, but not included as part of our dinner.