Who Gets Invited to Rehearsal Dinner?

Wedding Party

The entire wedding party should be included in the rehearsal dinner, as well as their plus one. All individuals that need to be a part of the wedding rehearsal should be included in rehearsal dinner. This includes the flower girls, ring bearers, priest or rabbi, the bridesmaid and groomsmen. They need to be in attendance to rehearse the order that these individuals will walk down the aisles during the ceremony.

Immediate Family

Parents, grandparents and siblings are generally invited to the rehearsal dinner. The parents usually present a toast to the newlyweds-to-be. The bride and groom are also encouraged to prepare a speech to thank who gets invited to rehearsal dinner.

Out-of-State Guests

If you have out-of-state guests to attend your wedding, you should extend an invitation to them to the rehearsal dinner as a courtesy for their efforts to be there on your big day. Holding your rehearsal dinner at or at least in the near vicinity of their hotels is also highly recommended. Unfortunately, your budget may not be able to accommodate all your out-of-state guest at the dinner. If you can only invite some of your out-of-state guest, then be sure that there is a clear-cut reason, such as friends are excluded but relatives will all attend.

What About Children?

If you have chosen not to have children in attendance at the wedding, then they do not have to be included in the rehearsal dinner either. Keep in mind, however, if guest are traveling with kids from out state, it will be more difficult for parents to find a sitter. 

If children will be on the invitation list for the rehearsal dinner, then you should provide activities to keep them occupied. Set up crafts, coloring books or play dough for the kids. You may also want to consider hiring a sitter for the day to attend the rehearsal dinner if there will be a large number of kids attending.

How Soon Should You Plan Your Rehearsal Dinner?

Rehearsal dinner planning usually begins six months prior to the wedding and around three months, the bride and groom tend to have a much clearer idea of who gets invited to rehearsal dinner. Couples should, however, make reservations as early as possible, so it is not the same as the wedding dinner around three months as well. When choosing the weekday to have the rehearsal dinner, it will save you some money to have it on Thursday. This can be an ideal day for those having a wedding on Saturday because it allows everyone in attendance to enjoy themselves thoroughly without having to worry about preparing for the big day the very next day.

When to Send the Rehearsal Dinner Invitation?

Once you have your list finalized for who gets invited to rehearsal dinner, you should send invitations out at least four weeks prior. Since the rehearsal dinner and wedding are two separate events the invitation should be sent separately. You can get creative with the rehearsal dinner invitation or stick with the theme that most couples have chosen as the formal and elegant invitations.

The Bill?

Paying for the rehearsal dinner can be the responsibility of a number of guests. Picking up the tab for all of those who attends rehearsal dinner traditionally is passed to the groom's parents. This is a way for the groom's mother to show that she knows how to entertain guests as well. But, it is becoming more common for the bride and groom to pick up the bill. Other couples will choose to divide up the tab among families. Keep in mind though, whoever pays will typically have the last say in the dinner arrangements.

Rehearsal Dinner Locations to Consider

If you are working with a wedding planner or coordinator, they will be able to greatly assist you on choosing the best rehearsal dinner setting. Some of those who attend the rehearsal dinner may have a slide show they want to project, so you want to consider a venue that can accommodate this. Look around the area you will be holding the wedding rehearsal first or just go with your favorite restaurant. Most bride and groom will choose a location, based on the ability to reserve a private room to better accommodate everyone who gets invited to rehearsal dinner in a more intimate setting.