My daughter is getting married outdoors at our home. The rehearsal is being held the night before at our home. After the rehearsal the bride's grandmother is hosting a casual light supper for those at the rehearsal. I do not want to serve drinks etc at the rehearsal as the place will be set up for the wedding and I do not have much help. I don't have time to wash glasses, prepare drinks and snacks and then clean up on the eve of the wedding. The real issue is this will be the first time we meet my daughter's future in-laws as they live a distance away so I do feel pressured to serve cocktails . Maybe I could ask the bridesmaids etc to help with clean up. I hate to use plastic glasses. Any comments?

stressed mom and hostess

Cut down on the stress and do champagne in plastic cups, I wouldnt ask the bridesmaids to help because they have a lot on their plate too. I dont think that anyone would have a problem with the plastic cups.

Why not serve refreshments in bottles or cans that can be easily disposed of after the party? Bottled beer or wine colors, cans of soda and bottled water? You could present in them in pretty bins or galvanized tins filled with ice and perhaps decorated with ribbon. Guests can serve themselves and you can set up areas for them to recycle their empty containers. This would fit perfectly with an outdoor theme and will make for easy, stress-free clean up for you afterwards.

Good luck!

I agree you should have some sort of refreshments at the party. I am sure you don't want your guests getting plastered the night before the wedding, but I would have a selection of sodas, bottled water, and beer for the guests. I like the idea of using a galvanized tin and decorating it. If it is an outdoor affair it will be perfect. I don't know how many people you are planning on having, but I know when we have parties at my mother's house we always use a cattle water trough and fill it with ice and water. (don't worry, that's all we use it for, not for cattle too). You also said you would hate to use plastic glasses, but there are glasses these days that are plastic but look like real glass and are very durable. Hope this helps!