Rehearsal drinks instead of dinner?

I'm really not sure on this at all, but it's my understanding, at least in my area (west MI) that, while it's traditionally the groom's family who takes care of it, these days anyone can do it. I think FI and I discussed just having people over to our house (if we ever close, but that isn't your can of worms) for a cookout, kind of hosting it ourselves, or if parents help, keeping it really low-key.

I do think that the rehearsal dinner is the same concept as a reception--these people came out here for your thing, so you want to be sure they're fed and watered. Drinks or a cocktail party sounds fun to me; just make sure they know that there will only be drinks and snacks or whatever--not a full meal--and then schedule the whole thing in between meals so nobody arrives or leaves super hungry.

I think if you do just a cocktail toast then you should provide some snacks at least. I don't think it needs to be a full sit down meal if you can't afford it but I do think something other than drinks provided would be nice

View Quoted Comment Rehearsal dinner is to thank the bridal party and parents for time at the rehearsal. You can invite out of town guest if want. It can be as low key as s grill out and pot lock or more fancy.

Back when people didnt live together before marriage it was typical for the brides family to pay for the reception, and the grooms paid for the rehearsal dinner. Now, that's not really a thing anymore in a lot of areas. If you want to keep it lowkey that's fine, but I would maybe get a few apps with the drinks. Drinking without food is never a good idea. And if you go during a happy hour somewhere, you can save money. Or talk to the restaurant and see if they will give you some sort of group discount. We are just ordering some roast beef sandwiches from a local shop, making salad, and having some sides and snacks with drinks at my brothers for the rehearsal dinner. Super lowkey and nothing fancy. Saving that for the wedding lol!!

The groom's family paying for the RD is just as traditional as the bride's family paying for the wedding. That being said, those traditions are pretty outdated. If his family hasn't offered to host, you should assume that they are not and the responsibility is on you. You definitely need to provide a meal if you're expecting people to reserve their evening for your rehearsal, not just a toast. If a RD is out of your budget, just skip the rehearsal all together.

Traditionally, yes, the groom's parents pay for the rehearsal dinner. However, times have changed. The rehearsal dinner is the B&G's responsibility, UNLESS someone else offers to host. That doesn't mean you have to go all out on expensive food & drinks though. You can easily have pizza & beer at your house after the rehearsal...or even hamburgers / hot dogs. BUT you should offer at the very least food in the form of a rehearsal dinner (whether it be super cheap & casual like pizza & beer, or more fancy like a sit down restaurant).

Hosting people for drinks is fine in place of a rehearsal dinner. Local people coming to a rehearsal that is short do not need a meal. As long as you find some time before the wedding, wedding day, or just after the wedding, to say thank you and give gifts, a rehearsal dinner is an option, not a requirement. Something informal like out for drinks after a Thursday after dinner rehearsal for all local people, is fine.