Planning the Rehearsal Dinner
The rehearsal dinner, which takes place immediately after the wedding rehearsal, is the perfect way to get everyone together before the actual wedding. And yes, it is required. However, there are good reasons for this. A rehearsal dinner helps get the incards'>place cards, get your
iPod cued up with a great playlist, rent a
microphone, practice toasting with some good
champagne, and relax.
Budgeting
But what about
How To
A rehearsal dinner can be as simple as a party in a pizza joint, a backyard barbecue, or a bowling alley bash. It can also be as elegant and formal as hosting in a banquet hall with full catering services. Usually though, the more casual, the better. A dinner that is relaxed and laid back gives family a chance to interact and have fun without any pressure.
The guest list for the dinner typically includes the bride and groom's immediate family (parents and siblings), the bridal party and their spouses/significant others, and possibly some of the extended family. Really, it is up to whomever is paying for the event. However, finances aside, both the bride and groom's sides should be able to invite an equal number of people. Other people who might be invited to the rehearsal dinner are
officiant (who even when invited, often declines).
As far as choosing a style and creating an ambiance, usually the planning responsibility falls on whomever pays. If it's the groom's mother, the bride should let her future motherlaw do as she wishes. This is not the time to impose. If the bride and groom are paying, they decide on the style, theme, tone, and guest list.
Quick Tips
* '''Play music'''. Not only does it fill in uncomfortable silences, but it adds to the ambiance and makes the dinner more fun. Hire a small ensemble or play your own tunes through an
iPod or with a
CD player. Just make sure that the music is appropriate for the setting, the theme and the formality of the wedding.
* '''Schedule it right'''. You want to finish the rehearsal dinner at a reasonable time. The bride and groom need their rest. Starting the rehearsal at 5pm and the dinner at 7pm leaves plenty of time between the two events for chatting, traveling, and other unexpected events. It also ensures that everyone gets home at an early hour.
* '''Get someone to play emcee'''. Usually the groom thanks everyone for coming and participating in the wedding before the meal is served. Other toasts take place afterwards. An emcee or host can help direct people to give toasts and keep things moving. This is especially useful when you are having a large rehearsal dinner.
* '''Assign seating'''. Mix people up at the dinner. (
Place cards help.) It helps for the family to get to know each other and it cuts wedding day tension in half.
