When you plan your wedding, you will have a lot on your mind, but there’s one thing you shouldn’t let slip through the cracks: your rehearsal dinner. This important meal allows you to gather with family members and friends and make introductions. Read below for tips on how to prepare for a wedding rehearsal dinner.
Who Needs To Be There?
When planning your rehearsal dinner, you must decide who you want to be there. You want to invite people who will participate in the wedding, including your groomsmen, bridesmaids, and ushers. You and your partner can also invite your parents and relatives.
Because the rehearsal dinner is more casual than the actual wedding, sending paper invitations is optional. You can even send virtual invitations or make personal phone calls to let people know you want to invite them to this gathering before your big day.
Where Should It Be?
Another step in preparing for a wedding rehearsal dinner is determining where you should have it. You have plenty of options, including a Sailcloth tent rental or even picking a destination near the hotel where your guests will be staying. This location can be a local restaurant, bar, or even a banquet room inside the hotel.
However, your guests should not have to go far to attend this dinner since they will likely travel a good distance to attend the wedding. You should give them directions for getting to the dinner. You might consider providing guests with transportation to the dinner and back to their hotel.
Does There Need To Be a Schedule?
Because your rehearsal dinner will be more casual than your wedding ceremony, you don’t need to have a strict schedule for the event. However, make sure you start and end the rehearsal at reasonable hours for your guests. You may only want it to run for two hours since rehearsals are usually on the night before the wedding.
The rehearsal dinner is also a great time for you and your partner to make a speech to your guests. During this time, you can present gifts to members of the wedding party and thank your family members for the support they’ve shown you during this time.
Although this dinner will be more casual than your wedding, preparing for it ahead of time will make it more successful. You’ll be able to worry less about the experience your guests are having and enjoy having fun with your partner and your family.