What Happens at a Rehearsal Dinner?
Lots of terms get thrown around during the wedding planning process, but if you are a young bride, you may not have any first hand experience with many of them. People often wonder what the purpose is behind a rehearsal dinner, how to plan one, and what really goes on there. This is an overview of the whole rehearsal dinner process.
First the reason behind the rehearsal dinner: it is a small dinner party that gives the bride’s and groom’s families a chance to get to know one another in an informal setting before the wedding itself. With that purpose in mind, you should definitely plan to invite parents, siblings, and grandparents from both sides. The wedding party is also always on the guest list, and some brides will choose that opportunity to present her attendants with their bridesmaid and flower girl gifts. Frequently, the more extended members of the couple’s families will also be included in the wedding eve party, such as aunts, uncles, and cousins. These days, it is not uncommon to also invite out-of-town guests, with the result that there are almost as many guests at the rehearsal dinner as the wedding reception.
One of the main events of a rehearsal dinner is the speeches. As the party is most often hosted by the groom’s family, it is traditional for the groom’s father to give some sort of toast. It does not need to be anything long, it is mostly a chance to welcome everyone, and to thank the out-of-town guests for making the trip. The groom’s father will conclude his toast by saying a few kind words about the bride and groom and toasting to their future happiness.
Beyond that, the wedding eve dinner is essentially a party like any other. Guests eat, drink, and mingle. They often end early so that everyone will be well rested for the wedding the next day. This has led to a custom where the younger guests often have an after-party at a nightclub, bar, or home after dinner. Just so long as everyone is rested and raring to go the next day, this can be a fun way for the younger guests to get to know one another, which is after all, one of the purposes of a rehearsal dinner.
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