Travel and Leisure

If you are planning your rehearsal dinner before your wedding, you need to include several details in your preparations. You want the event to go smoothly and help your friends and family members get more excited for your big day than they already are. Here are some ways to help with this endeavor as you decide where to host the meal.

The main thing to think about as you decide on a venue is the number of people who will go. Of course, anyone who will need to rehearse for the ceremony should be there, so this includes your bridesmaids and groomsmen. You also need to invite your flower girl and ring bearer, as well as their parents and any ushers and readers who will be part of the wedding. In addition, your parents and the parents of your soon-to-be spouse should be in attendance. It is also customary to invite immediate family to the rehearsal dinner, such as any siblings not in the ceremony and even visiting relatives who will be traveling to see you get married. Clearly, you will need a decent sized venue to fit everyone.

Then you need to think about the price. If you are trying to stick to a modest budget, the cheapest option tends to be having the rehearsal dinner at your house or someone else's home. You can either have a relative or friend make the food as your wedding gift, or you can get it catered by a local restaurant. In some cases, the meal, or at least the venue, will be included in your wedding package at the place you have chosen to have the ceremony and reception at. If you decide to go to a restaurant, this will probably be the most expensive option, but you may be able to work out a deal in which you get a discount on the food.

You also need to figure out what to serve. You can go with your favorite food, or you can choose something that you think everyone would like. You can also get creative by matching the food for the rehearsal dinner with the overall theme for the ceremony. For example, if you are having an Irish wedding, seafood, potatoes, corned beef, and other typical Irish foods may be fun to have. If you are getting married in a French-style castle, you may want to research typical French food for your guests. Just make sure it is not the same meal you will be having at the reception the next day.

Many local venues can likely accommodate your rehearsal dinner. You just have to do some research months ahead of time to make sure you get the results you want. But the process of planning should be exciting, especially if you make an effort to be stress-free. Consider having your friends, parents, or bridal party help with the arrangements.