How to Plan an After-Rehearsal Dinner

A rehearsal dinner provides a chance to mingle with the happy couple.

Planning a dinner for after the wedding rehearsal doesn't cause as much stress as making the wedding plans, but it's still is a task that should not be taken lightly. While the groom's parents traditionally host the party, these days, friends, other family members or the bride and groom often host the rehearsal dinner. When you find yourself involved in the planning, remember that selecting a location, making a guest list and creating the atmosphere for the event requires special attention.

Things You'll Need

• Invitations

Instructions

1. Visit venues close to the rehearsal site or consider holding the dinner in a private home. Get a feel for any restaurant, banquet hall, hotel or country club dining room that you visit. Compare the menus and choose the one that fits your budget and the couple's tastes. You might find this just isn't the right style for the bride and groom.

   There isn't anything wrong with a casual rehearsal dinner, such as a backyard barbecue. A relaxed setting gives everyone from the two families who might meet for the first time a chance to get to know each other.

2. Compile the guest list. The only mandatory invitees are the people directly involved with the ceremony: the bride and groom, their parents, bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girls, ring bearers, readers and the person presiding over the wedding.

   Invite the spouses or partners, or in the case of children, the parents of those in the wedding party. You can expand the guest list to include close family members or friends who don't have a role in the wedding and any guests who have traveled from out of town.

3. Issue the invitations. You don't need to pay for engraved invitations, but it's nice to send a handwritten one. Any invites should be sent soon after guests have received invitations to the ceremony.

4. Give family and friends a chance to mingle with the bride and groom as well as with each other. Even if the dinner is formal, allow time for each side of the family to stand and say some nice words about the bride and groom and to introduce themselves to all the guests.

   Create a seating chart and seat members of different families together to break the ice. Getting the introductions out of the way and building familiarity within this newly created family will make the wedding day more comfortable for everyone.

References

• "The Knot": Wedding Rehearsal Basics
• Martha Stewart Weddings: What Type of Rehearsal Dinner Should You Have?
• Martha Stewart Weddings: Seating of the Guests