Rehearsal dinners are one of our favorite parts of the wedding weekend and for good reason. Rehearsal dinners are a pre-wedding event typically attended by the bride and groom alongside their close family and bridal party. It is generally following the wedding ceremony rehearsal which is typically the night before the wedding.
Not only do they set the tone for the festivities and get everyone in the wedding mood, they are a great time to make sure everything is set and in motion. It is a time of relaxation and fun while everyone gets to know each other even more before the big day. In this blog, we will discuss all things from who should attend and what you should expect from start to finish, and tips to make your perfect rehearsal dinner.
Rehearsal dinners are the perfect opportunity to get together with everyone you and your partner are closest to to have a moment before the big day. It is a great time to have more personal and close-knit conversations and speeches that you otherwise would not want to have during your wedding reception. Since it follows the wedding ceremony rehearsal, it is an opportunity for an evening wrap-up.
If you are having a destination wedding, your perfect rehearsal dinner should get everyone together after all of the travel and hustle.
Since the rehearsal dinner is a more informal event that typically follows the wedding ceremony rehearsal, it is generally attended by close family members and the wedding party. The officiant is oftentimes invited to the dinner if they are not already a part of those groups.
For a destination wedding, you may also include more guests (close friends, those who traveled very far) to the list as the guest list may be smaller or to show even more love for taking the time to be there for your big day.
This is the time to have a smaller group as this is an intimate event before the wedding.
Typically, the rehearsal dinner is a more relaxed event compared to everything else taking place during the wedding. It is a time to relax and unwind before the wedding. You can expect to see toasts from various members of the wedding party and family, speeches from parents, best man, maid of honor and even the bride and groom. This is also a great time for the happy couple to give their wedding party gifts.
When planning a rehearsal dinner, remember that while it is a part of the wedding but not the wedding itself. It should compliment the wedding but still be treated as its own event. Here are some tips on how to plan a rehearsal dinner:
Photography by Charlotte Kinsella & Wonder Tribe
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