Rehearsal dinners are an important part of a wedding weekend that come with their own set of rules and etiquette.
While there is no perfectly set way to host the night before your big day, there are a few tips you can follow to ensure a memorable evening.
Who Throws the Rehearsal Dinner?
It’s traditional that the groom’s family hosts and plans the rehearsal dinner. However, the times are changing and nowadays, couples are planning their rehearsal dinners together.
Whether you, your spouse, or both of you prefer to be involved in planning it is up to you! Sometimes, the planning can be a mix of all parties involved.
Who Pays for Wedding Rehearsal Dinner?
General etiquette suggests that the groom’s family pays for the rehearsal dinner, under the conventional assumption that the bride’s family is sponsoring the rest of the wedding.
Modern times have changed and expanded finances, dinner etiquette, and traditions, but if you’re sticking to the formal rules, the groom pays this event’s tab.
How to Send Rehearsal Dinner Invitations?
Rehearsal dinner invitation etiquette is not as strict as wedding invitation etiquette, but your guests should still receive a proper invitation.
An online or phone invitation is acceptable, but more formal affairs typically send a written invitation in the mail.
Whether your wedding is more casual or fancy, you should match your dinner invite with your overall wedding style.
When Do You Send Rehearsal Dinner Invitations?
It's courteous to give your guests an invitation four to six weeks prior to the date of your event.
Giving your guests enough notice allows you to invite whoever you want at your dinner, especially out-of-town family members and friends.
Who Should be Invited to the Rehearsal Dinner?
Your rehearsal dinner guest list cannot be assumed, but you essentially have the freedom to invite whoever you like.
It is conventional to invite immediate family members, the wedding party, their guests, and (sometimes) out-of-town guests.
Some couples opt for immediate family members and the bridal party, while others invite half their guest list, it’s considerably up to you and your spouse.
If you’re having trouble deciding who to invite, keep it intimate and invite those closest to you and your soon-to-be-hubby. This could be anyone from an extended family member to the flower girl, and ring bearer.
When is the Rehearsal Dinner Held?
Traditional weddings have their rehearsals hosted on the eve of the big day.
Couples that don’t have a wedding ceremony rehearsal and/or dinner typically still have a celebration or big gathering before the wedding.
Weekday weddings are becoming more acceptable where rehearsals can be held days prior to the special day.
Where Do You Have a Rehearsal Dinner?
It’s thoughtful of you to have your rehearsal dinner close to the location of the wedding. Aim to have your dinner within 20 or so miles of the hotel(s) where your guests are staying and/or near the wedding venue.
If you’re planning a rehearsal dinner in Baltimore, MD, Tabrizi’s offers a venue that is just as exquisite as your wedding day.