- A rehearsal dinner is traditionally used as a way to have a small celebration after the wedding rehearsal. The bride and groom can decide to have the rehearsal dinner on a different night and invite as many people as they like, but since the actual function of a rehearsal dinner is to thank the people involved in the planning of the wedding and to celebrate the impending nuptials, most couples have the rehearsal dinner immediately after the wedding rehearsal, and they only invite close friends and relatives.
- Couples can decide on whatever format they want for their rehearsal dinner, but traditionally there are some toasts given by key people. It's common for the father and mother of the groom to give the main toast because the financial obligation of the dinner is supposed to fall on them, but the ultimate decision should be made by the couple. The bride and groom will usually give a speech thanking everyone for their help, and members of the bridal party may give short toasts too. Some couples decide to present gifts to their bridal party members at the rehearsal dinner. The order of events depends largely on the preference of the couple, but a good format follows this sequence: Greetings, the beginning of the meal, toasts in between meal courses, and a big thank-you speech around the end of the evening from the couple.
- Even though the cost of the rehearsal dinner is supposed to fall onto the parents of the groom, anyone can cover the cost of the rehearsal dinner. Couples should not automatically assume that the cost of the dinner will be covered by the groom's family unless the parents have agreed beforehand. In many cases, the bride and groom wind up paying for the rehearsal dinner themselves. It is bad etiquette to make guests pay for themselves at the dinner because the meal is supposed to be in gratitude of their support.
- There are a few important things to remember when putting together a rehearsal dinner. First, remember that it should not be a late-night affair if the wedding is early the next morning. Also make sure to invite everyone involved in the actual rehearsal to the dinner. Above all, remember that the rehearsal dinner is designed to be something relatively informal and enjoyable to attend. A rehearsal dinner can take place in a fancy restaurant or at a personal residence, but the point is to get everyone together and thank them for all their help and support.
