The short answer.... YES.
The purpose of your wedding rehearsal dinner is not just to eat good food with your bridal party. In fact, the most important part of your rehearsal dinner is the "rehearsal" part! Here are a few things to consider when planning your wedding rehearsal:
REHEARSAL! The first thing you want to do is practice the ceremony with EVERYONE who will be part of the ceremony processional. This includes your bridal party, any family that will be walking, and of course, the happy couple!
As a planner, we have tips and tricks on how quickly to walk, where to look, and how to hold your bouquet and by practicing these things the day before, you'll feel even more confident as you walk down the aisle so that you can stay present in the moment.
THE GUESTS: Who should you invite to your rehearsal?
Answer: Anyone in the bridal party, family members involved in the ceremony processional, and any other immediate family members or parties involved heavily in the planning process.
This is an opportunity to say THANK YOU to all of the closest friends and family members who have helped you through this process, supported your relationship, and made sacrifices (both time and money) to be there and celebrate with you!
DINNER: This does not need to be a crazy expensive plated meal... do what feels natural to you as a couple. Looking for a laid back vibe? Maybe a food truck is the way to go? Check out local restaurants that offer private rooms large enough for your group but don't forget to ask about any required F+B minimums!
OUTFITS + THEMES!! This is a GREAT opportunity to have fun with your guests. Do a themed party, pick a fun outfit and encourage your guests to do the same!
TOASTS - as a planner, and for the sake of your timeline and getting to the fun DANCE portion of your celebration sooner, we highly recommend keeping wedding day toasts to a minimum. If you have more than 3-4 people that want to give a toast, consider giving them an opportunity to say a few words at the rehearsal.
PHOTOS - E + K hired @emilydawnphoto to cover their wedding AND rehearsal dinner and honestly, I think more couples should do it. I wish I had! There were so many beautiful moments at the rehearsal dinner (including a not-so-beautiful tarantula friend) and now those memories are professionally documented for life.
A wedding rehearsal dinner is a MUST for any celebration so don't forget to communicate this with the guests involved. These people are a big part of your wedding day and often travel and commit financially to be there for you so make sure you communicate the details like when, where, and attire!
Ready to start planning your destination wedding? SunRae Planning is a wedding planning company based in Las Vegas, Nevada with teams in St. George, Utah and Salt Lake City, Utah and we specialize in planning and designing vibrant celebrations that uniquely represent your love story. From full-service planning to elopement packages, we are here to help YOU.