| As an Englishman the tradition of a rehearsal dinner | | | | travelled and just enjoy a relaxing pre-reception party. |
| prior to the wedding is something new to me as this is | | | | Maybe a barbeque on the beach or a buffet instead |
| not a part of traditional wedding etiquette in the U.K. | | | | of a formal meal could be alternative options. |
| and has needed some additional research particularly | | | | On occasions the bride and groom will decide to host |
| as to how this normally intimate occasion should or | | | | this event rather than the groom's family but as with |
| could be adapted for destination wedding events. | | | | other matters of etiquette this should be agreed with |
| Traditionally, I understand, it is the groom's family who | | | | the family concerned in advance. One of the many |
| are responsible for the rehearsal dinner which normally | | | | advantages of a destination wedding is often the |
| includes only immediate family and those of the | | | | informality of the event and the opportunity to break |
| wedding party itself. By etiquette neither the bride nor | | | | with many of the formal wedding traditions so there is |
| her family should include additional guests outside this | | | | no reason why the rehearsal dinner should not be |
| group without consulting the groom's family. | | | | different to normal as well. |
| At a destination wedding, however, it may well be | | | | Destination weddings do provide an ideal opportunity |
| considered appropriate to be far more flexible with the | | | | for the new family members to get to know one |
| traditional rules governing this event. Destination | | | | another in a vacation atmosphere and the rehearsal |
| weddings tend to be far more relaxed and informal in | | | | dinner is an ideal occasion to relax together, enjoy |
| any case so there are already good reasons to throw | | | | each others company, make new acquaintances and |
| the rule book away and arrange a rehearsal dinner to | | | | friends and look forward to the wedding ceremony |
| different criteria. | | | | itself. As with many of the requirements and |
| Some of the guests, not really members of the | | | | arrangements surrounding this special day it will always |
| wedding party, may well have come a long way to | | | | be important to have discussed matters of protocol |
| attend the wedding and at their own expense so | | | | with the two families and attending guests prior to the |
| including them as well as a means of saying "thank | | | | occasion itself. This will ensure that everyone attending |
| you" may well be appropriate. Furthermore as the | | | | the wedding will be fully aware of the various events |
| numbers of guests attending a destination wedding | | | | taking place, those they are invited to attend and if |
| tend to be much less than at a traditional wedding it | | | | they will be of a formal or informal nature. |
| may be more suitable to invite all those who have | | | | |