Wedding planning is hard, ya’ll, and for the most part, this is the first time you’ve ever done it, so questions are bound to pop up! That’s where we come in. While planning the wedding is, of course, super important, the rehearsal dinner is an often overlooked part of the weekend of festivities “It’s just a dinner, so how hard can it be to plan?” We hear what you’re saying, but you’d be surprised by how many questions we get about rehearsal dinners! They’re not as simply as they may seem, so if you have questions or confusion, fear not, you’re not the only one! Today, we’re sharing some of the most common questions surrounding the pre-wedding party!
What is the point of a rehearsal dinner? Traditionally hosted the night before the wedding, the rehearsal dinner is a more relaxed, intimate setting that allows the couple, bridal party and closest family (and sometimes friends!) to connect, mix and mingle, and essentially enjoy each others company before the hectic wedding day begins. It’s a chance to revel in that ‘engaged feeling’ one last time, and soak in the quality time!
Who pays for it? According to tradition, the groom’s family hosts and pays for the rehearsal dinner, although these days, it’s common to split costs, or the couple may pay for it themselves! It’s really up to the two of you.
Who gets invited and how? Your immediate family, and your bridal party + their significant others. If you have a ton of guests traveling from out of town, or are hosting a destination wedding, it’s a nice gesture to invite them as well, or consider hosting a cocktail hour or after-dinner drinks for the far-away guests to join as well. Unless your wedding is super formal (in which case you should send formal invites for the rehearsal dinner), chances are your rehearsal dinner will follow your wedding style and be semi-formal or casual, in which case it’s fine to send e-vites, DIY invites, or let the people who you’re inviting know by phone.
What happens at a rehearsal dinner? After dinner, typically the couple will thank their parents, bridal party, and other supporting family members. Your parents may want to give a small toast as well. If you have gifts for your parents and bridal party, now is a good time to exchange them. Let people know of any next-day reminders, and then enjoy your mingling time!
Where do we have it? Anywhere you want! You can have it catered in your own home, at a restaurant with a small, intimate meeting room (don’t forget to book ahead!) your wedding venue, a park or a place that’s special to the two of you. Think outside the box, and stay tuned for some fun rehearsal dinner ideas coming soon! Remember, your rehearsal dinner should compliment your wedding, not overshadow it or overwhelm you. Keep it fun and memorable and you’ll cherish the time as much as your actual wedding day!
Looking for more planning tips? Find them here!
