The evening is traditionally hosted by one partners family, but is now often covered by the couple themselves.
Consider the rehearsal dinner as the wedding’s amuse-bouche, advisesLynn Easton, founder and creative director ofEaston Events.
Planning a gathering that maximizes enjoyment is key!
Photo: Jill Devries
Dinner is served and the to-be-weds can celebrate with their loved ones andwedding party.
Toasts can take place as well.
Traditionally, the dinner includes those who attended the wedding ceremony rehearsal and their spouses.
Photo: Samm Blake
This includes the couples wedding party and immediate families.
If youre hosting a local wedding, some couples may also have out-of-town guests attend the rehearsal.
Since the guest list is smaller, youll need to send a separate invitation to your rehearsal dinner group.
Photo: James D. Kelly
This can come via email, or be incorporated into wedding invitations as you mail them out.
Going the digital route with your invites?
Double-check that only the right people can access it.
Photo: Courtesy of Susan Montagna
While the format can vary between each event,toastsare one of the best parts of a rehearsal dinner.
So, who gets the honor of picking up the mic?
Carter says, Whoever you want!
Catering by Let’s Pretend
When planning the evening, confirm there will be a microphone available for the toasts.
Specifically if youre going to a restaurant, learn if they have in-house pipe sound.
She says mics may not be required depending on the space and guest count.
As for timing, toasts are best held in between courses so guests can give them their full attention.
Brownie points for engaging intros and outros.
What tone are you trying to set?
When evaluating potential venues, consider the guest count and distance from the main wedding venue.
Naturally, youll need to consider your budget.
Different venues offer different amenitiesor, lack them.
Certain outdoor event spaces without a nearby kitchen will need equipment brought in for the day, for example.
Easton also shares that its important to have a handle on logistics.
Youre also conserving time and energy by building off an existing relationship rather than starting from scratch.
It generally helps with pricing because youre probably paying tax and labor fees one time, notes Carter.
When choosing your catering, have some fun with the selection and embrace your inner foodie.
This is the time to potentially have a much more playful menu, says Carter.
Most rehearsal dinners are formal seated dinners with a coursed-out meal.
Yet this formality doesnt have to translate into stuffiness.
Seated dinners can really create an atmosphere that feels personal.
You also can have meals served family style to encourage a more engaging environment among guests.
She says you’re free to choose a different palette and embrace an original theme for the party.
However, dont be afraid to use that monogram from your invitation suite.
Another way to shape the environment of your event is with music.
Curate a playlist for the dinner that will create the ideal ambiance for the scene.
Conversation is great, but sometimes having a little bit of background music is lovely, says Carter.
Of course, times have changed and the norms ofwho pays for a weddinghave changed greatly.
Just confirm your guests aren’t footing the bill.
