The Rehearsal Dinner

Most brides and grooms have a rehearsal dinner, but many people do not know what one is or what happens at this event. Here are some answers to the most common questions.

What is the rehearsal dinner?

The most basic rehearsal dinner is just a dinner with the bride, the groom, the wedding party and close family and friends. The place it is help can greatly vary from a fine dining establishment to a backyard barbeque.

Even though the rehearsal dinner is most traditionally only a dinner between the wedding party and family, sometimes brides and grooms offer other activities. Activities could include social games, cards, board games and outdoor activities.

Another activity that usually happens at the rehearsal dinner is a series of toasts. The bride and groom will usually thank and toast all their guests for all the help that they have provided. Other guests, especially the ones who are not providing toasts at the wedding, may also break out into unexpected toasts during the dinner.

Sometimes the bride and groom give out their presents of appreciation to the wedding party at the rehearsal dinner. It is possible this is already done at this point, but not all brides and grooms give their presents at their stag or bachelorette lunch and decide to give out all the part gifts at once.

When is the rehearsal dinner?

This dinner is held the night of the wedding rehearsal, right after the rehearsal is over. Usually you have a planned end time of the actual rehearsal and the dinner is within the next hour. This way your guests will not have any lag time in-between and you can start the dinner early enough so everyone can get the right amount of sleep for the big day!

How Long Will It Last?

The length of the dinner depends from wedding to wedding, but it will be at least an hour, usually it is closer to three hours when you factor in the time it takes to get dinner served, do toasts, presents and have conversation and games.

Since it is a very pleasant event the time will pass by rather quickly. Make sure it does start early enough though as you are getting married the next day!

Who Pays for this event?

Traditionally speaking, the wedding rehearsal dinner is paid for by the family of the groom and the grooms mother plans this event. Of course what tradition suggests and what actually occurs are often two different things.

It is a good idea to ask the grooms mother if she is indeed planning this event. If you are willing, or anyone else in your circle of family and friends is interested, you could also offer assistance. Of course if your future mother in law is not only willing to plan the event but is excited to do so, it would be a good idea to just let her plan it by herself. The mother of the groom does not have a lot of say in the planning of the wedding, so if she wants this party to be planned only by her, let her.

Rehearsal Dinner Invitations

Many events you will have leading up to the wedding require stationery. The rehearsal dinner is no exception. The invitation should be sent to all involved and include who is inviting you, to what they are inviting you to, when and where and a map.

These invitations are usually sent out to the guests a couple days after the wedding invitations are mailed out. These dinners could be small or large, but the list of guests should include the wedding parties and the parents. Other immediate family members may also be invited. Sometimes close friends or out of town guests are also in attendance.

Pamela Kazmierczak is an expert in the wedding industry. Check out her site to learn more about the rehearsal dinner including how to word your invitations, samples of invitations and where to buy them! Go to Wedding Planning Today to learn more about planning your wedding, to sign up for a free newsletter (which comes with a free ebook) and to shop at her wedding store.