Rehearsal Dinners
What is a Rehearsal Dinner?
A rehearsal dinner is a celebration with your VIPs to start the wedding festivities, usually right after the rehearsal, and a chance for speeches or toasts not planned for the reception.
Note: Sometimes, due to venue availability, it may not be possible to have your rehearsal the evening before your wedding day. Instead, your rehearsal may be in the morning or on a different day. Your rehearsal and rehearsal dinner doesn’t need to be back to back, as long as you communicate and coordinate with your wedding party.
Who is Invited to a Rehearsal Dinner?
Everyone walking down the aisle or standing at the front with you should be invited to the rehearsal dinner.
All other guests are optional, but some people decide to invite plus ones or more extended family. Once upon a time, all out-of-town guests were invited; however, these days, that’s a majority of guests, so inviting everyone who lives out of the area is no longer the norm.
Who Pays for a Rehearsal Dinner?
Because the rehearsal dinner is a way to say thank you to those who have a role in your ceremony, the event should be hosted (and not paid for by the guests).
Traditionally, rehearsal dinners are often hosted and paid for by a family or families of the couple. However, this tradition is changing, and many couples may host and/or fund the event themselves.
How do I Plan a Rehearsal Dinner?
Step 1 – Budget
First, decide on the budget for the rehearsal dinner, and iron out who will contribute to the event (see above).
Step 2 – Guest List
Next, come up with your guest list. Begin with everyone who has a role in the ceremony and then decide if you’ll add plus-ones, additional family members not in the ceremony, or other guests.
Pro Tip: If you’d like to invite more guests to the rehearsal dinner or have a lot of guests coming from out of town, consider hosting a welcome party after the rehearsal dinner.
Step 3 – Rehearsal Dinner Locations
Once you have an estimated number of guests for the rehearsal dinner, you can begin looking into rehearsal dinner locations. Ideally, you’ll want to choose somewhere that is close to the location of the rehearsal.
Pro Tip: Rehearsal dinners can be at an upscale restaurant, but they can also be more low-key. Depending on your guest count, your rehearsal dinner could be picked up from your favorite fast-casual burrito bowl restaurant and take place at someone’s home or at another location. Remember, the point is to gather people and thank them for being a part of your wedding, so choose the setting best for you and your people.
After jotting down a few possibilities, request proposals from your top choices. Here’s an example vendor comparison tracker to help you get started. Weigh out the options, considering guest count, budget, location, and food selection.
Once you’re ready to lock down your rehearsal dinner choice, make sure you review the contract for food and beverage and payment deadlines and add them to your calendar!
Step 4 – Rehearsal Dinner Time & RSVPs
Now that you have your rehearsal dinner location, you’ll work with your wedding planner to pick a time for your rehearsal dinner depending on when your rehearsal will likely conclude.
For those invited to the rehearsal dinner, include an insert with information along with their wedding invitation.
Don’t forget to collect RSVPs for the rehearsal dinner as well. We recommend collecting rehearsal dinner and wedding RSVPs digitally through your wedding website.
Pro Tip: We recommend sticking to an earlier start time when possible so you can get a good night’s sleep before the big day!
Step 5 – Confirm Food Choices & Consider Toasts
Remember to pay attention to food and beverage deadlines, and use your RSVP numbers to confirm rehearsal dinner orders.
Sometimes couples decide to ask special guests to provide a toast during the rehearsal dinner. These are guests who won’t be providing toasts during the wedding reception. We advise that you ask toast-givers at least 1 month in advance to ensure adequate time to prepare. Be sure to check out our free guide to toasts.
Step 6 – Final Touches
Lastly, consider any final touches you’d like to be part of the evening. Though not necessary, rehearsal dinners may feature decorations like photos of the couple, floral arrangements, or candles. Don’t forget to add these items to the overall budget.
Now that everything is planned out, it’s time to enjoy your time with your VIPs!
If you’d like some help with coordinating your rehearsal dinner, consider the rehearsal dinner add-on, so our team can ensure your event goes smoothly and you’re able to fully enjoy time with your guests!
Welcome Parties
What is a Welcome Party?
It’s becoming more common for couples to include a welcome party alongside wedding weekend festivities, especially if you have guests you’d like to include but aren’t able to invite to the rehearsal dinner!
A welcome party is a time for the couple and guests to casually mingle, typically over drinks and occasionally light bites. Welcome parties often happen at the same place as the rehearsal dinner, or at a nearby bar, and take place immediately after the rehearsal dinner finishes.
Unlike a rehearsal dinner, welcome parties are typically not hosted. Instead, food and drink are available for purchase.
Pro Tip: Remember to get a good night’s sleep before your wedding day! Decide ahead of time when you and your partner will leave.
Who is Invited to a Welcome Party?
Unlike the rehearsal dinner, the welcome party is usually open to all wedding guests. Hosting a welcome party allows you to include more guests in the excitement leading up to the wedding.
Though out-of-town guests (who aren’t in the ceremony) are not usually invited to the rehearsal dinner, inviting them to the welcome party is a great way to show them appreciation for traveling!
Who Pays for a Welcome Party?
Because welcome parties are more low-key than rehearsal dinners, guests may pay for their drinks or food themselves.
Here’s some sample language if you’re interested in this route: “We will be at -insert bar here- from Xpm – Xpm. Please feel free to stop by and say hi! Food and drinks will be available for purchase.”
If you decide against having welcome party guests pay for their food and drinks, make sure you determine who will contribute to the event and factor in expenses to the overall budget.
How Can I Personalize Our Welcome Party?
How you customize your welcome party is up to you! Consider including activities like yard games or displaying a slideshow or framed photos of you both from childhood to now. You could also feature your favorite snacks, desserts, or drinks!
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