| A rehearsal dinner is essentially a meal following a | | | | but similar gowns and suits that have been worn to |
| wedding rehearsal-there are usually no formalities | | | | another formal occasion. |
| attached concerning the dinner itself. But traditionally | | | | Sometimes when a wedding rehearsal dinner is held at |
| the meal is given the night before the wedding. This is | | | | a private home, the dinner is catered and often instead |
| the perfect time for the wedding participants to | | | | of catering there are pool parties and cookouts-this |
| familiarize themselves with each other and for the | | | | may make the rehearsal dinner more unforgettable |
| bride and groom to extend their thanks to the family | | | | and more fun for the guests. |
| members and others who helped to plan the wedding. | | | | Naturally, you are going to want a photographer and |
| Although it is typical for the groom's parents to pay for | | | | video taping even at this part of the wedding planning. |
| the wedding rehearsal, it is also a fair idea for both the | | | | It's a one-time special event that can never be |
| bride and groom's parents to split the cost-I'm sure this | | | | duplicated. |
| seems more fair to the groom's parents than the | | | | Wedding rehearsal dinner invitations need to be sent |
| bride's parents! | | | | out several days after the wedding invitations. When |
| The groom's mother usually plans the rehearsal dinner | | | | inviting out-of-town guests, make it as informal as |
| but if both parents are paying then both should plan. | | | | possible. Just drop them a line letting them know the |
| The guest list usually includes, of course, the bride and | | | | time and place of the rehearsal dinner. Also let them |
| groom and all members of their wedding party ,the | | | | know that you would enjoy seeing them at the dinner |
| close family of the bride and groom, their close friends | | | | or would like them to drop by if they are anywhere |
| and possibly out-of-town guests and the officiate. | | | | near town at the time of the dinner. Be very polite |
| The location of a wedding rehearsal dinner can be a | | | | about requesting their company but not too pushy |
| private home or restaurant. If you want the dinner to | | | | since they are coming from out of town. |
| be formal, that is your choice. But more often, the | | | | Some folks think they can not afford the expenditures |
| event is not formal. So long it is a sufficiently controlled | | | | of a wedding rehearsal dinner-but you can. This is |
| environment that all eyes remain on the special | | | | especially true if you choose to have the dinner in your |
| occasion (the marriage), the bride and the groom will | | | | own back yard rather than hiring costly caterers. You |
| be the two most important people present. | | | | can set up some simple but enjoyable games to play |
| There is also the option of a semi-formal | | | | at the rehearsal and have the most exciting wedding |
| rehearsal-one in which the wedding members do not | | | | rehearsal ever-without spending a lot of money. |
| wear the same attire that will be worn at the wedding, | | | | |