Wedding Rehearsal Dinner Party
From LoveToKnow Weddings
Your wedding rehearsal dinner party is the last time that you will spend with your friends and family before walking down that aisle. Make it memorable with these tips and tricks!
Choosing A Site
Traditionally, people tend to have their wedding rehearsal dinner party in a restaurant. Many places have special rooms or an area set aside for large groups, and they can often provide a fair bit of privacy and customized service to your group.
When choosing a restaurant, you should always be clear on all the facts. What will your server/guest ratio be? Do they add a gratuity to the bill? Will people order their own entrees or will there be pre prepared options? Since the tab will be pretty large, most restaurants will work with you to give you exactly what you want, so take advantage of that!
If you choose to have your wedding rehearsal dinner party in a restaurant, consider choosing a location that really expresses your likes and interests as a couple. Is one of you a particularly unique ethnicity? You may be able to weave into the wedding rehearsal dinner party parts of your culture that there won't be room for at the wedding itself. Did he propose in a certain restaurant or at a place of interest that a local joint is themed after? Use your imagination to work some history and personality into your wedding rehearsal dinner party.
Other people choose to have their rehearsal dinner in a family member's backyard, in a park, or some other out of the ordinary location. This can be great if you are interested in ambiance, as you will have more freedom with decorations and menu choices. If you know someone who is an aspiring party planner, or perhaps there is a special person in your life that you want to have feel involved in the big day preparations, consider putting them in charge of finding the rehearsal dinner site and allow their creativity to run wild. You won't have to worry about the planning and you will make someone else feel useful and important to you in the process.
Who To Invite
The usual people invited to the wedding rehearsal dinner party consist of your bridal party and immediate family. Some couples also choose to include out of town guests that have arrived the evening before the wedding, and sometimes the officiant and his family as well.
The groom's family usually hosts and pays for the cost of the meal, and so be sure to check with them and see what numbers and prices they are comfortable with before doing your inviting. It is a tricky thing going from making all of the wedding related decisions to having to consult others, but communication is the key to a successful wedding rehearsal dinner party. Also be aware of any allergies that your chosen guests may have. Ask the food provider in advance about particular ingredients that may cause issues, and also try to have some vegetarian/healthy options. In this day and age of fad diets, you never know what Aunt Suzie can or cannot eat that weekend!
Tokens of Appreciation
It is customary to provide your bridal party members with small gifts at the rehearsal dinner to thank them for all of the time and effort they have put into your big day. Remember that being a wedding attendant is an expensive endeavor, and a bridesmaid alone can easily spend over $500 when you add up the cost of the dress, shoes, hairstyling, and bridal shower/bachelorette party costs.
This is why you should take the time to give your special gals something personable and meaningful that they will treasure. Jewelry that can be worn with the bridesmaids' dresses is a popular choice, as is engraved boxes or pens. Men tend to lean more towards gift certificates or electronic gifts, which once again proves the difference between males and females!
Cherished Moments At Your Wedding Rehearsal Dinner Party
After everything is arranged and the rehearsal is complete, take some time to truly relax at your dinner party. Be sure to spend time with everyone and to take a lot of pictures. The wedding rehearsal dinner party should be a fun occasion for all, stress free and cherished for the years to come.
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