What is a Rehearsal Dinner?

In the days before your wedding it is good practice to run through the events at the ceremony with everyone involved. It is typical that you arrange with the establishment where the ceremony takes place that you have a slot for a rehearsal. Run through the detail of what will happen when so that the retinue feel comfortable on the day of the wedding.

The Rehearsal Dinner typically takes place after the rehearsal. This is a great opportunity for the two families to get to know each other as well as for the people directly involved to feel part of the wedding on a more social level.

It is the perfect opportunity for the groom to thank eveyone who helped with the wedding preparations.

Who is invited?

As a start the Bride and Groom's immediate family are invited. You would also invite the marriage officer, the retinue, and anyone directly involved at the ceremony i.e. singers, musicians, special guests etc. We found it useful to invite the photographer for two reasons, i) he/she get's an intimitate take on the important people to focus on at the wedding, the families get to meet and socialise with him/her and this makes photos on the wedding day much more relaxed and ii) you get some really good photos of the people closest to you at the dinner.

Who is responsible for the Rehearsal Dinner?

Traditionally the Groom is responsible for the costs of the dinner and it is the Groom's mother that hosts the event. The invitation comes from the Groom and is best formally printed and handed to the guests. The costs could really be kept to a minimum for this, remember its more a gesture than an event. You do not want the added stress of arranging a rehearsal dinner before your wedding.

What happens at the Rehearsal Dinner?

In my opinion the dinner should be kept as informal as possible so that people get to know each other. Its the Bride and Groom's opportunity to hand over thank you gifts to all attending and for the couple to thank the people who helped. I have seen dinners where the blessings are spoken over the couple by the guests attending and where the families share in Holy Communion, and this is usually very special for the family.

 Where does the Rehearsal Dinner take place?

I've attended rehearsal dinners at quaint restuarants close to where the ceremony takes place, to the house of the Groom's mother - which is in my opinion the best place to host it. The atmosphere is what you create and the laid back relaxed atmosphere is always the best in lieu of the big day. It entirely depends on the host where the dinner is, and I always say if there is money to spend - SPEND IT!!!!!!

23-11-2007 13:03 Keith Johnston Published in Ideas and Advice, Keith's Advice

This entry was posted on 23-11-2007 13:03. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. This article was favoured 101 time. You can leave a comment. Tags: rehearsal dinner, wedding, guideline, bride, groom.
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Posted by Keith Johnston 20-12-2007 05:57, IP 78.3.50.82, Registered   ...     Lindie and I had our rehearsal dinner on 14 Dec, and it was GREAT!!! It's a fantastic way for the families to break the ice before the wedding, and everything went so much better at the wedding becos we had the dinner. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ACTIVITY!!!!!   » Report this comment to administrator » Reply to this comment...

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