How to Dress for a Rehearsal Dinner

The rehearsal and the dinner that follows serve to kick off the wedding festivities. The dinner is usually held on the eve of the wedding day. This is an important event for the engaged couple, their parents and the bridal party. Guests at the event should dress appropriately for the special occasion.

Things You'll Need

• Dress or skirt/slacks with a blouse for women
• Slacks, buttoned shirt with a sports coat or tie for men
• Comfortable shoes

Instructions

1. Assume that the proper attire is semi-formal (between business-casual and formal) if a dress code is not stated on the invitation. For women, this may mean a dress or nice blouse with slacks or a skirt. For men, this generally means a pair of slacks with a buttoned shirt. A sports jacket or a tie, not both, is also appropriate for men.

2. Determine the venue style for the rehearsal dinner. A catered dinner in a home may allow for a more laid-back form of dress while a dinner at a four-star restaurant requires a dressier approach.

3. Take the theme of the actual wedding into account when dressing for the rehearsal event. For instance, if the couple has planned a beach wedding, they will likely have arranged for a similarly relaxed atmosphere at the rehearsal dinner. In that case, resortwear such as breezy, wrap-style dresses for women and light-colored slacks and polo shirts for men would be perfectly appropriate.

4. Take into account the type food that will be served at the dinner, if it is specified in the invitation. For instance, if the rehearsal dinner is an outdoor BBQ, that's a good indication that very casual attire, including jeans, is invited.

5. Choose shoes appropriate to the location and activities of the event. This is especially important for women. A backyard party can be difficult to maneuver for women in high heels. Comfortable shoes are also important if dancing is planned as part of the event.

6. Bring a light sweater or jacket for summer events, even if the daytime temperatures are very hot, in case the venue is air-conditioned.

Tips & Warnings

• Save your special outfit for the wedding ceremony and reception. The rehearsal dinner is generally more casual than the other wedding activities.

• The invitation should include a requested attire if the event is formal of if the host would like you to dress according to a specific theme.