5 Top Tips for Your Rehearsal Dinner

The Rehearsal Dinner is no longer the simple affair of the past. Traditionally arranged and paid for by the groom’s family, now couples, entire families, and even friends have been coming together to put together a unique experience that mirrors taste and style of the soon to be married couple.

 Not sure which direction is right for you? Here are our Five Top Tips to help you decide what your perfect rehearsal dinner will look like.

1) Start With the Three  W’s & Two H’s.

Save yourself some stress and start with your 3W’s by deciding early on WHO will be hosting the rehearsal dinner, WHERE it will be held, and WHEN to hold it.

Your 2H’S come next. Once you know the host, determine HOW MUCH they are comfortable budgeting and HOW MANY guests that budget allows. Keep in mind that feelings can be sensitive so it’s important to have these conversations early and openly. Once these decisions are made you can start planning the fun stuff. 

Cadence @ the Strip can walk you through all your questions with our many exciting offerings for every vision and budget.

2) Make it Your Own

 Choose a fun theme and personalize the space. Pictures or album of the bride and groom through the years are a fun way for guests to interact and share memories.

3) Your Guest list

Take time to decide what type of event you want and build your Rehearsal Guest List. Go through your wedding guest list and see how many people are coming in from out of town and if you will include them. Your Rehearsal Dinner is the perfect opportunity to break the ice and make introductions. If a Big Rehearsal dinner isn’t for you, another option is to design a guide for visiting guests of recommended places to visit and eat around town on their free night.

4) Your  Venue

 Location of your rehearsal dinner is open to many options, but there are a few things you want to keep in mind. Rehearsal dinners tend to be smaller than other gatherings during your wedding weekend, but can grow if you have a large family or friends coming in from out of town and choose to include them.

Think about the venue of your rehearsal related to your dinner, can the facility accommodate the numbers for the type of event you desire? How busy does the venue get during the time you’ve scheduled your celebration? Does the food match your theme? The more coordinated you can be with your planner and faclity…the smoother your planning will go. You can make your rehearsal dinner anything you want, just make sure your venue has what you need.

 5) Give Yourself Plenty of Time

Take the time to plan out a schedule for your day and evening. Give yourself plenty of time for your rehearsal and transportation to the dinner. This may be a travel day for some…so allow for potential delays. Schedule time throughout your dinner for toasts. Mix the toasts up during the dinner between family and friends. Have a member of your wedding party act as an emcee and toast wrangler.

Finally, enjoy this intimate time with family and friends. For many, the rehearsal dinner will become a cherished memory with best friends that will last a lifetime.