The Basics
Your rehearsal dinner will serve many important purposes, no matter its location or level of formality. First and foremost, the rehearsal is a chance to run-through your ceremony, delegate any wedding responsibilities to family, and quell any last minute nerves. Second, in the event that your family and friends are not already well acquainted, the rehearsal dinner serves as an opportunity for everyone to get to know one another. Lastly, as a smaller and more intimate celebration of your upcoming nuptials, the rehearsal dinner is often a time to share sentiments that can be forgotten in the hustle and bustle of wedding day.
Typically, the dinner is held the night before the wedding and immediately following the ceremony rehearsal. Since your guests will be arriving from your ceremony location, it’s helpful to select a nearby location. There aren’t any rules on how long the celebration should last, but it’s a good idea to keep it an early evening if your bridal party must be up first thing the next day (this is especially important for your beautiful bride-to-be). Or, if you have your heart set on an all-night party, you might consider hosting the rehearsal dinner two nights prior to your wedding. Just be considerate of your attendants’ time; holding the rehearsal too far from the wedding date or too early in the day could require extra travel time and costs.
The groom’s family customarily hosts and pays for the rehearsal dinner; however, you and your bride may decide to host it yourselves – particularly if both families are sharing the cost of the wedding.
The host is responsible for providing food and drink for the rehearsal guests. If your budget is tight, use creativity to spread your dollars. Consider a cocktail and appetizer party, a casual picnic, a family potluck at your parent’s home, or a simple pizza and pasta affair. Just remember — your rehearsal dinner doesn’t have to be fancy to be fun!
Who Attends?
At the very least, your wedding party, immediate family members (such as your parents and siblings) and their dates should be invited. Many couples also invite extended family members and close family friends. If you have guests that are traveling from out of town, it is considered polite to include them at the dinner, but etiquette doesn’t necessarily demand it.
Saying Thanks
The rehearsal dinner is the perfect occasion to show your appreciation for your family, friends, and wedding party. Bridesmaid and groomsman gifts are often given out at this time, as are any presents for your parents.
It’s also customary for the bride and groom to offer a few words of thanks to their friends and family, and to one another. Grooms: Make your soon-to-be-wife’s heart melt by including her in your remarks! Not sure what to say? Share a favorite memory or list what you’re looking forward to most about your new life together.
As for toasts, it’s traditional for the father of the groom to offer a toast. Because the dinner is often more casual than the wedding, you might want to allow additional toasts from guests who may not have the chance to speak at the Big Day.
