Tips for Planning a Rehearsal Dinner

A rehearsal dinner is an opportunity to bring families together in an intimate setting before the wedding day’s hustle and bustle. It’s common for the couple to be too busy at the reception to spend quality time with each guest. This time is also an opportunity to talk through the plans for your wedding day and make sure that everyone is on the same page.

Knowing how to plan a rehearsal dinner will help you make the most of this special time with you and your betrothed’s closest family and friends.

Rehearsal Dinner Planning Tips

Consider these rehearsal dinner planning tips as you look ahead to your big day:

1. Narrow the Guest List

You will have plenty of time to celebrate with a large group at your wedding reception. Narrow the rehearsal dinner guest list to your closest family and friends so that you have a relaxed time together. The people to consider inviting to the rehearsal dinner include:

• The bride and groom’s immediate families.
• Members of the wedding party and their significant others.
• The parents of any child attendants — and possibly the child attendants themselves, if appropriate.
• The officiant and their significant other.
• Family members who traveled far for the wedding.

2. Learn the Rehearsal Dinner Etiquette

As a tradition families have practiced for decades, various cultural norms surround rehearsal dinners. You are always free to do what works best for your partner and family, but understanding the typical etiquette can be helpful during the planning process. Some of the most prominent rehearsal dinner traditions are:

• The groom’s family pays
• Invitations and affairs are more casual than the reception
• Invitations arrive four to six weeks in advance
• The guest list is relatively short

3. Create a Budget

A rehearsal diner can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars, so plan ahead to spend a reasonable amount. There are many elements to factor into the budget.

First, you will need to invite your guests to the event. If you choose to send a classic card invite, you may spend $2 to $13 per card depending upon the quality of the card itself and the retailer you purchase the invitations from.

The dinner itself can cost around $30 to $70 per guest for simple meals and drinks. This cost can increase to $250 per person if your dinner will take place in a sophisticated venue. Depending on the venue you choose, there may be a cost for renting a space in the facility.

If the venue does not include decor, you will want to provide this to make the event elegant and give your guests a taste of what to expect at the wedding ceremony. Depending on what decor you choose, you may spend $15 to $50 per item.

4. Choose a Nearby, Spacious Location

The rehearsal dinner venue sets the stage for the experience. As you plan the dinner, there are three important factors to keep in mind:

1. Proximity: Selecting a convenient location will benefit everyone involved, so book a venue within near the reception venue and the attendees’ lodging.
2. Space: The venue should offer enough space to accommodate your party — ideally in a private room.
3. Cuisine: Knowing the menu ahead of time is also important so that you know all guests will have an option that satisfies their taste and dietary needs.

5. Schedule the Ideal Time

The rehearsal dinner usually takes place the night before the wedding day. Since weddings traditionally take place on Saturday, the rehearsal dinner would happen on Friday evening. Weddings may also happen another day of the week or around the time of a holiday. In that case, there is more flexibility with the rehearsal dinner. It could happen a few nights, or even an entire week, before the wedding.

In planning this event, you should consider the time that the rehearsal will last and the length of time needed to get to the venue where the rehearsal dinner is taking place. This can guide the decision of the time reservations at the rehearsal dinner venue can be made. It is best to wrap up the dinner around 9 or 10 pm so everyone can feel well-rested for the big day.