The rehearsal dinner is a pre-wedding dinner party held the night before the wedding. It is traditionally hosted by the groom’s parents, but can also be hosted by the bride’s parents, the couple themselves, or a combination of people. The rehearsal dinner is a time for the wedding party to practice the ceremony and for the families of the bride and groom to meet and get to know each other. It is also a chance for the couple to thank their loved ones for their support and for helping to make their wedding day possible.
The Purpose of the Rehearsal Dinner
The main purpose of the rehearsal dinner is to complement the wedding rehearsal and start the celebrations with your closest family and friends. During the wedding rehearsal, the wedding party will go over their lines and movements, and the officiant will give any final instructions. Afterwards, the rehearsal dinner is also a time for the families of the bride and groom to meet and get to know each other. This can be a helpful way to break the ice and start building relationships before the wedding day. Finally, the rehearsal dinner is a chance for the couple to thank their loved ones for their support and for helping to make their wedding day possible.
The Timing of the Rehearsal Dinner
The rehearsal dinner typically takes place the night before the wedding. This gives the wedding party enough time to practice the ceremony and for the families to meet and get to know each other. However, there is no hard and fast rule about when to have the rehearsal dinner. It can be held the day before the wedding, or even a few days before. The timing of the rehearsal dinner will depend on your individual circumstances and preferences.
Criteria for Selecting Rehearsal Dinner Guests
When selecting guests for the rehearsal dinner, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, you will need to invite the wedding party and their significant others. You may also want to invite the parents of the bride and groom, siblings, grandparents, and any other close family members. If you are having a large wedding, you may also want to invite out-of-town guests.
Ultimately, the decision of who to invite to the rehearsal dinner is up to you. There is no right or wrong answer. However, it is important to consider the purpose of the rehearsal dinner and the guests’ travel arrangements when making your decision.
Here are some additional criteria to consider when selecting guests for the rehearsal dinner:
- The guests’ relationship to the couple: The rehearsal dinner is a time to celebrate the couple and their upcoming wedding, so it is important to invite guests who are close to them.
- The guests’ travel arrangements: If you are having a rehearsal dinner out of town, you will need to consider the guests’ travel arrangements. You may want to invite guests who are already planning to be in town for the wedding.
- The timing of dinner in proximity to other wedding events: If your wedding rehearsal dinner should immediately precede the wedding rehearsal, then it may be easier for your guests to attend both. That also depends on the timing and location of the rehearsal and how close it is to the venue.
- The couple’s budget: The rehearsal dinner can be a costly event, so you will need to consider the couple’s budget when making your guest list.
Simply put, the rehearsal dinner is a special event that is a chance for the couple to celebrate with their loved ones. When selecting guests for the rehearsal dinner, it is important to consider the purpose of the event, the guests’ relationships to the couple, and the couple’s budget. So who are the people who have been most supportive of your relationship and your wedding planning? These are the people you should be inviting to your rehearsal dinner.