No matter what kind of wedding ceremony you have, a small church wedding or an extravagant destination wedding, a rehearsal dinner plays an important part. Just like a major production needs a trial, the most important day in your life also requires a rehearsal to ensure things run smoothly. A wedding rehearsal dinner is usually arranged the day before the wedding, right after the wedding rehearsal. The wedding rehearsal dinner is the perfect opportunity for the bride and groom’s families to get together for a meal and get to know each other before the big day. It also gives the other guests a chance to mingle with each other. Like any tradition, following certain wedding etiquette for rehearsal dinner is very important.
Wedding Rehearsal Dinner Etiquette
For most couples, along with wedding traditions, wedding etiquette for rehearsal dinner can seem a little tricky. But, they do not have to be so. The following are etiquette for wedding rehearsal dinners that need to be followed.
Who Hosts the Events?
Proper etiquette for wedding rehearsals usually demands that the parents of the groom should be the hosts. However, in case that is not possible, there is nothing wrong if the other relatives of the groom, the parents of the bride, or even the couple themselves have the honor of hosting the rehearsal dinner.
Invitations
Since, this is a less formal event, invitations for the rehearsal dinner do not necessarily need to be elaborate. People can be invited verbally or over the telephone. While it is not necessary, rehearsal dinner invitation etiquette is always better to let the guests know all the details. The bride and groom can also let all the guests know about the dinner once the rehearsals are over, as it is usually understood that once the wedding rehearsals are over, everyone heads over to the designated wedding rehearsal dinner location. Wedding invitation etiquette apply here as well, especially if the invitation includes people other than family and close friends.
Who’s Invited?
The wedding etiquette for rehearsal dinner demands that it should be a more intimate affair. It is unnecessary to invite all the wedding guests and make it as elaborate as the wedding reception. The basic idea behind a wedding rehearsal is to kick off the celebrations and allow the two families and close friends to meet up in an intimate surroundings. Ultimately, it entirely depends on the wedding budget and the wishes of the bride and the groom. While some people like to keep it an only family event, others include dates of the guests and even out-of-town guests.
Location
When it comes to etiquette for wedding rehearsal dinner locations, it is always advised to keep it intimate. There are a lot of options for locations, from dinner at a host’s house or a restaurant a barbecue or a catered affair. Any of these ideas are acceptable. It depends on the bride and groom’s choice and style and where they think their families and friends will be most relaxed.
Speeches and Toasts
One very important element in wedding rehearsals dinner etiquette is to make toasts. It is traditional for the hosts to start with short speeches or toasts. Others can follow. The maid of honor and the best man should ideally always end the round of toasts. Since this is more of a family affair, the toasts can be less formal than wedding toasts. All that ultimately matters is that it comes from the heart.
Favors
Also keep in mind that wedding etiquette for rehearsal dinner demands that the hosts or even the couple who are getting married should give out wedding favors to thank their guests for their support and sharing this momentous occasion in their life. As it is said, that it is the thought that counts, so the favors can be as simple or as elaborate as you want.
These were some of the points to keep in mind for following wedding etiquette for rehearsal dinner. A successful wedding rehearsal and wedding rehearsal dinner ensures that everyone knows each other better and are more at ease with each other, which will definitely enhance the beauty of the special day for the bride and the groom.
