A rehearsal dinner is a wedding tradition that looks different for every couple. Typically, the rehearsal dinner happens the day before your wedding ceremony, following the ceremony rehearsal. The rehearsal dinner is an opportunity for those closest to the couple to join together for a more intimate celebration before the big day. Planning a rehearsal dinner shouldn’t be a stressful process. In fact, your rehearsal dinner can look however you want it to! Take a look at these basic planning steps you should keep in mind as you’re ironing out the details.
Assign a Host
The first thing you need to do is determine who’s hosting, organizing, and financing the rehearsal dinner. The groom’s family traditionally took on this role, but in 2022 there’s no right or wrong person to host your rehearsal dinner. Both of the couple’s families may decide to host the event together, or the couple could decide to host it themselves. Make sure everyone is on the same page and aware of who the host is before any further planning takes place.
Sending Invites
Invites for the rehearsal dinner should be sent 4-6 weeks in advance. This gives people time to arrange their schedules as needed and allows the host to get an accurate headcount. It’s up to the couple and the host who gets invited to a rehearsal dinner. The dinner usually includes the bridal party, groomsmen, and close family members. The wedding reception will give everyone else a chance to celebrate the newlyweds, so there’s no reason to make the guestlist for a rehearsal dinner too long.
Choose a Location
The location of your rehearsal dinner can be as formal as informal as you’d like. It’s best to keep the location close to the location of the ceremony and the hotels where your guests are staying. Whether a reservation is being booked at a fancy restaurant or food trucks are being rented for a chill backyard hangout, choose a location that you’ll be happy with.
Prepare for Toasts, Gifts, and a Fun Evening!
There’s no strict schedule for a rehearsal dinner. The evening is usually filled with toasts to the couple and excitement for the upcoming wedding. Any sentimental gifts, especially those that could be worn during the wedding, will be presented. Family heirlooms and sentimental items are often passed from one generation to the next when a family member is married. The rehearsal dinner sets the perfect stage for such an important handoff.
If you’re getting married in 2022, contact Justice Lydon & Co today to reserve one of the best officiants in the Boston area! Our team can help smooth out the details of your rehearsal dinner and answer any questions you have about the big day.
