WHEN IS THE REHEARSAL DINNER?
Although timing can vary depending upon circumstances and schedules, the rehearsal dinner is usually held immediately
following the wedding rehearsal. The wedding ceremony rehearsal is usually
held the day before the actual wedding ceremony.
HOW ARE GUESTS INVITED TO THE REHEARSAL DINNER?
If the wedding rehearsal dinner will be small, there is really no reason
to send out invitations since a verbal invitation in person or by phone
will work just fine. If inviting guests verbally to the rehearsal
dinner, be sure to make a list of those you intend to invite and check
them off the list once they have been invited to make sure that nobody
was overlooked. If you are planning a larger wedding rehearsal
dinner, it is usually wise to make an invitation list and send out
invitations. That way you can make sure that everyone that you
intended to invite was invited.
WHERE IS THE WEDDING REHEARSAL DINNER HELD?
That depends totally upon individual preference. It can be held at
the church hall, at a local restaurant, at a local park, at the parent's home or one of
the attendant's homes, or any other place where the group can relax,
mingle and socialize as a group. Sometimes a group activity can be combined
with the dinner. For example, a backyard cookout or a boat cruise can be
a very relaxing, stress relieving setting for the after wedding rehearsal
party. Sometimes the rehearsal dinner is also combined with
decorating the wedding reception location the night before the wedding. Since toasts
usually do occur during the rehearsal dinner, if the rehearsal
dinner is to be held in a public location like a restaurant, it is a
great idea to book a private room. TIP: Be sure to make
reservations well in advance if the rehearsal dinner is to be held at a
restaurant since you may find that some restaurants will not be able to
accommodate your size of group without advance preparation.
HOW IS THE WEDDING REHEARSAL PLANNED AND PAID FOR?
Traditionally, the rehearsal dinner is planned by the Grooms' Mother and
paid for by the Groom's Parents.
Planning the rehearsal dinner is not necessarily the sole responsibility
of the Groom's Mother - unless she wants to be in charge of that
activity, nor is it necessarily the sole financial responsibility of the
Groom's parents to pay for the rehearsal dinner - unless they are willing and able to accept that
responsibility. Just about anyone can plan and pay for the
rehearsal dinner. More recently, the expense of the
dinner is frequently just included in the overall wedding planning
budget. The responsibility of planning and paying for the
rehearsal dinner cost should be discussed and decided upon in the early
stages of the wedding planning process.
Frequently, there are toasts made during the dinner.
Traditionally, the Groom's parents will give the main toast - since
traditionally they are hosting the dinner. The Wedding Party members may
also give short toasts to the Bride and Groom during the event.
The Bride and Groom also will usually thank and toast everyone for their
support and assistance and the traditional gifts are sometimes presented
by the Bride and Groom to the Wedding Party. The order that the toasts
occur depends largely upon preference and circumstances but usually the
Mother and Father kick off the evening, the wedding party and family
members may make
toasts during the dinner and throughout the evening and the Bride and
Groom end the evening with their thank you toast.
Keeping
in mind that the following day will be a hectic one, the rehearsal
dinner usually ends early to allow everyone time for a good nights
sleep.
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