Wedding Rehearsal Dinners – WHY?
Why should I have a Rehearsal Dinner?
This is the chance for the wedding party’s families to get to know each other better in an informal setting. But most importantly, it’s a chance for the bride and groom to thank all the people who have helped them with the wedding planning.
Do I have to have one?
No, you don’t have to, but there are few reasons not to. You have most likely requested your wedding party to rehearse the night before the wedding, and you’re going to need to eat on that night anyway, why not eat with your loved ones.
Who pays?
Traditionally the groom’s parents pay. Nowadays you’ll often see the wedding couple include the cost in their overall wedding planning budget. Another option is for both sets of parents to host it together.
Who plans it?
This job traditionally falls upon the groom’s mother. Check with her to see if she is able and willing to do this. It’s the one chance she has to plan a detail of the wedding that shouldn’t be vetoed by the wedding couple.
What happens at a rehearsal dinner?
Along with sharing a meal with friends and family, and a chance to get to know the new families better, it is the time for the bride and groom to offer up thanks and toast their families and the wedding party. There are often many informal toasts of the bride & groom and their families. This is also an appropriate time to give the bridesmaids gifts and groomsmen gifts. As long as your opening gifts, it may be a good time to give the parents wedding gifts.
How should I let people know about the party?
Informal printed invitations should be sent a few days after the wedding invitations have been sent. These don’t need to be elegant nor expensive – the easiest thing to do is to print them on your home computer.
Should out-of-town guests be invited or just family?
It used to be a rehearsal dinner was only for the wedding party and the immediate family of the bride and groom. Now, wedding magazines and web sites will tell you that you should invite all of the out-of-town guests. It’s a nice gesture so that you don’t leave them stranded in a strange town the night before the wedding. However, if you don’t invite them, you could provide them with a list of restaurants or things to do in the area on the eve of your wedding. A note left in their hotel room with local restaurants or current attractions is a nice touch. Or, a simple invite for them to join you for drinks after the rehearsal dinner.
What to do if you can’t afford a rehearsal dinner?
This doesn’t have to be a grand formal affair at a restaurant or banquet hall. Plan a backyard barbecue or pot luck. This will allow people to really get to know each other. Set up yard games; make it very informal and fun. But by all means, do have one – it’s the couple’s opportunity to thank all the people who made their wedding day possible.
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Tags:bridesmaids gifts, Groomsmen Gifts, Personalized Gifts, Wedding Gifts, wedding rehearsals
