How to Word a Nontraditional Rehearsal Dinner Invitation

A wedding rehearsal's level of formality reflects the formality of the wedding.

A non-traditional wedding rehearsal dinner invitation does not need to head the guidelines and stipulations used for formal invitations. The wording, although it should still be appropriate to the importance of the wedding, can be casual and laid-back if that reflects your personality or the tone of the wedding or rehearsal. Use the theme and tone of the wedding rehearsal dinner as a guide for the wording of the invitation. For example, for a backyard barbecue with a rustic theme, don't be afraid to use silly and fun wording relative to a country ho-down.

Things You'll Need

• Stationary

Instructions

1. Write a welcome line that alerts guests to the occasion while still paying tribute to the non-conventional theme. For example, if you are having a barbecue-style rehearsal dinner write, "We would like to grill and chill with you, before we say 'I Do!'"

2. Reference the actual rehearsal since most if not all of the people invited to the rehearsal dinner will be involved in the wedding ceremony. For example, "After the wedding rehearsal, which is held at St. Mary's Church in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, Jane and Carl are hosting a rehearsal dinner." Include a theme for the dinner, if you are having one. For example, "an 80's themed rehearsal dinner."

3. Convey the pertinent event information, such as the date, place and time of the occasion. This can also be done in a creative, non-traditional way. For example, "The burgers will be placed on the grill promptly at seven, at the house of Jim's parents; Paul and Susan, on the day before our big day (and if you've forgotten, the date is June 17)."

4. Convey a dress code for the event. Since a traditional rehearsal dinner typically denotes a business casual dress code, if you are featuring a more laid-back or even theme-costumed rehearsal dinner, specify on the invitation. For example, "Casual attire encouraged," or "Costumes encouraged."

5. Include an RSVP date, contact and phone number for the event. This can be presented in a humorous way. For example, "RSVP by May 1 to Jane or Carl or you may be left out of the 80's fun and stuck perpetually in decade limbo!"

References

• The Knot: Wedding Rehearsal Dinner Invitation Wording