Wedding Rehearsal Dinners: Everything You Need to Know

[@madisenkahlee]

This is great! We invited the whole wedding party and their plus ones, in addition we invited all guests who had to fly to attend our wedding and any immediate family members that were local. My husband's parents paid for the dinner at a local Italian food restaurant.

[@cavinelizabeth]

That's so considerate for the non-local guests!

[@siunmccarthy8350]

There is a rehearsal of the ceremony at rehearsal dinners in Ireland/Europe so everyone knows their role on the day

[@lizmoraes1249]

This was so helpful thank you! Most of our guests are flying to attend our wedding so we're having a casual meet and greet/rehearsal dinner for everyone to get to know each other.

[@cavinelizabeth]

Sounds so exciting!

[@WhereisMalikah]

These tips were so helpful! I'm having a destination wedding in France next month and I just started thinking about the rehearsal dinner. We're just keeping it casual - party platters in the backyard!

[@cavinelizabeth]

Fun!

[@chy6523]

I've watched you for almost 2 years, but this is my first video officially as a fiance!! Thank you for all the tips you share ♡

[@cavinelizabeth]

Aw, congratulations!!!

[@Marie_Garwood]

Cavin, you are an unending fountain of useful information! I don’t know how you do it! This was lovely, and it gave me some great things to consider. I’m always so excited to see an upload from you! And a destination wedding in Jamaica sounds amazing!

[@cavinelizabeth]

Thanks for your continued support Marie!!

[@shantaymayer5413]

This is perfectly on time again! It's like you can read my brain! Thank you so much for all you do! How was Jamaica?

[@cavinelizabeth]

So glad! Jamaica was great - a lovely work trip that was also very relaxing!

[@mw-xk1zl]

Could you do a video on proposing? Like ideas, how to take photos in case it’s a surprise

[@cavinelizabeth]

I can definitely add it to my list!

[@MissCatAnne]

Thanks for this info, I was just thinking about this!

[@cavinelizabeth]

Glad it was helpful!

[@2021-j2d]

In the case of a small bridal party could the rehearsal dinner invitation be either included as a separate hand written note card mailed with the wedding invitation or even as informal as a ve4bal or electronic invitation?

[@cavinelizabeth]

I would definitely have something written and included with their invitation - even if you printed it at home. With verbal, people might forget the details of when/where.

[@2021-j2d]

@@cavinelizabeth, excellent point, thank you

[@yellowbird500]

If the dinner is hosted in a restaurant, are floral arrangements, welcome signs, etc required?

[@cavinelizabeth]

Nothing is ever required :) I find that events hosted in restaurants usually have little to no decor added. Maybe a sign to show people where to go, but the restaurant might be able to print something. It all depends on your budget and whether you'd want those details in any photographs.

[@bittersweet2311]

I have a month of wedding coordinator for my wedding in December. Should I invite them to the rehearsal dinner as well? I feel kinda awkward about it since I don't know them but they will be there for the rehearsal at the church before we go to a restaurant for the dinner. Thoughts?

[@cavinelizabeth]

It's up to you, though let them know it would be for fun and not an expectation to work ;)

[@TheDawn0310]

As the mother of the groom I’m nervous about the rehearsal dinner. My husband and I don’t have much money and I’m not sure how we can pull off a dinner.

[@cavinelizabeth]

You've got 2 options I think could work. 1) Find a beautiful restaurant with a view that's affordable and can fit all the rehearsal guests. You could do that covering food and a predetermined number of wine bottles (or find a place that lets you bring your own and does a cork fee that ends up being cheaper than buying their bottles) or only cover the food and let guests pay for drinks at the bar. 2) Rent out an empty cheap venue that provides tables/chairs then get an affordable catering (we did Rubio's for our welcome dinner which was so cheap and everyone loved it - it's like a coastal Chipotle) and buy colorful paper plates/napkins from Dollar Tree (we did this - just used 2 of our wedding colors alternating at each seat). Then just supply people with Costco/Sams club wines. Hopefully that helps!

[@gardenjoy5223]

Weird tradition: such a wedding rehearsal and the wedding rehearsal dinner. It's like you are having two weddings after another: one informal and one formal. Luckily it's not a custom, where I live (Western Europe). When people are coming over the night before, let them eat where they are or visit other relatives / friends on their own. A wedding is asking a lot from all, so best get in there as fit as possible. So, if you want to have dinner with some people coming over from out of town, I'd find the nearest restaurant and have some relaxed fun, wearing normal casual clothes, and say good night to all at 10:00 pm tops.

[@cavinelizabeth]

Guests aren't required to attend the rehearsal dinner, but those who are invited and do attend enjoy it. It's another chance to spend time with other guests and the couple. It's fun, it's not "asking a lot."

[@gardenjoy5223]

@@cavinelizabeth Yes, I get, that that is your opinion. It's just not my opinion. A lot of family and friends will sort of feel pressed to come anyway. Hope you get to keep that custom all to yourselves.

[@marvinthemaniac7698]

I want my rehearsal dinner to take place at a Chinese restaurant.

[@cavinelizabeth]

Choose one with great vibes and amazing reviews. It’ll be fantastic! Chinese food is incredible.

[@marvinthemaniac7698]

@@cavinelizabeth I'm not too picky when it comes to Chinese food, but you do make a valid point.