How long do rehearsal dinners last?

Most rehearsal dinners last two to three-plus hours. Give your guests at least 30 minutes to 1 hour to travel between the wedding rehearsal venue and the rehearsal dinner venue, if they're different places.

How long does a rehearsal last?

An hour is what we schedule for the rehearsal, but in reality the actual rehearsal takes 20 to 30 minutes from start to finish at the most. Obviously some officiants take longer than others, but to work out the processional, the line up, where and how to stand, any ceremony details, the recessional, etc.

What is the etiquette for rehearsal dinner?

Traditionally, the groom's parents are the hosts of the rehearsal dinner, since the bride's family customarily pays for the wedding. But given the more relaxed standards of modern times, other relatives, close friends, or even the couple themselves can plan and pay for the event.

Do you actually eat at a rehearsal dinner?

Traditionally, the ceremony is practiced before the meal and mingling. Then, guests are wined-and-dined at formal sit-down dinner, funded by the groom's parents. However, at modern day rehearsal dinners, it holds true that anything goes.

Who is typically invited to the rehearsal dinner?

Here's who definitely gets an invite.

Your immediate families, the bridal party (including the parents of the flower girl and ring bearer, even if they're not in the wedding), any ceremony readers, and your officiant (plus his or her spouse, if married) should always be invited to the rehearsal dinner.

REHEARSAL DINNER: Everything You NEED to Know

What is the groom's family supposed to pay for?

The groom's family is responsible for corsages and boutonnieres for immediate members of both families, the lodging of the groom's attendants (if you have offered to help pay for this expense), and sometimes the costs of the rehearsal dinner.

What time should rehearsal dinner start?

The dinner takes place immediately after the rehearsal, usually around 7 p.m. For a Sunday or holiday wedding, you have more options, and some couples decide to hold the rehearsal dinner two nights before the wedding so that everyone has more time to relax and recuperate before the big day.

Who pays for the rehearsal dinner?

Both the groom's parents traditionally organize (and pay for) the rehearsal dinner. This can range in size from a small occasion for members of the wedding party only to a grand soiree (never to outdo the wedding, of course) that includes half or more of the wedding guests.

Do out of town guests attend the rehearsal dinner?

Out-of-Town Guests

For guests that are traveling for your big day, it's a nice token to extend a rehearsal dinner invitation. They're taking on the expense of time and money to celebrate you, so including them in your pre-wedding celebrations is often customary.

Do grandparents get invited to the rehearsal dinner?

Your closest family members should receive an invitation to your rehearsal dinner. This will be different for everyone. For some, it's parents, siblings or grandparents. For others it might include some extended family members as well.

Do you serve dessert at rehearsal dinner?

Now on to dessert. Traditionally, the groom's cake is served during the rehearsal dinner as well. Of course, you can serve it alongside the wedding cake on your wedding day, but every good party needs something sweet!

What does a bride wear to a rehearsal dinner?

For a formal affair, go for a long dress or cut a wedding dress into a short white dress. If it's taking place at a restaurant, a fun cocktail dress is perfect. And if you're doing something a bit more relaxed and casual like a BBQ, pair your dress with a cool denim jacket.

What should you not wear to a rehearsal dinner?

Unless stated otherwise, feel free to don your boots at a barn rehearsal or some jeans at a BBQ. The day is about the couple and their closest people, not about what you're wearing. That said, anything flashy, distracting, short, or revealing is out, no matter the theme.

Do you decorate for a rehearsal dinner?

When it comes to rehearsal dinner decorations at a restaurant, try to keep it to a minimum unless your budget is a little more generous than the average American. This event doesn't last nearly as long and very few people will see them. There's not much sense in spending money you don't really have to.

Is it rude to not go to rehearsal dinner?

All of your out-of-town friends and family do not need to be invited to the rehearsal dinner. We agree that you should take time to greet them and show your gratitude to them for making the long distance trip, but it does not need to be the rehearsal dinner.

Who goes to rehearsal dinner for destination wedding?

A destination rehearsal dinner guest list is simple: everyone who is there gets invited. There will be, of course, the exception to this rule. For instance, if you have an abnormally large destination wedding, it is perfectly kosher to limit it to family and the wedding party.

Who pays for bridal shower?

Often, the maid of honor and her fellow bridesmaids throw the bridal shower and pay for it, and the mother of the bride contributes. With this model, the bridal party pays for the bridal shower for the most part and split the price, but the parents of the bride may contribute some part of the expenses.

What should the mother of the groom not do?

Is it rude to ask guests to pay for rehearsal dinner?

It's not really appropriate to ask guests to pay for the rehearsal dinner, the reason being that the wedding party is required to attend the rehearsal; it is not an optional event that they can bow out of if they cannot afford the dinner. For this reason, you really can't expect them to pay for their own meal.

Who walks the mother of the groom down the aisle?

As the wedding begins, the groom's mother will be escorted down the aisle, to the first pew, right-hand side, by the head usher or a groomsman who is a family member. A nice touch includes the groom escorting his mother down the aisle. As the groom's mother is escorted to her seat, her husband will follow along behind.

Do you invite photographer to rehearsal dinner?

Although it is not necessary, many wedding photographers attend the wedding rehearsal. Some photographers even include this service as part of their wedding photography package. If it is not already included, it is beneficial to invite your wedding photographer to attend the rehearsal.

How much money should the groom's parents give?

Parents of the bride and groom collectively contribute about $19,000 to the wedding, or about two-thirds of the total cost, according to WeddingWire. The bride's parents give an average $12,000, and the groom's, $7,000. Just 1 in 10 couples pays for the wedding entirely on their own, according to TheKnot.com.

Do groom's parents pay for honeymoon?

Honeymoon. Traditionally, the groom's parents pay for the entire cost of the honeymoon. Honeymoon costs include flights, hotels and fun vacation activities. Note: More modern couples are saving for their honeymoon together or requesting their wedding guests to pay for some parts of the honeymoon as a wedding gift.

Does mother of groom get ready with bride?

She can spend a little time with both the bride and groom.

If that's the case, she may want to start her morning with the bride and her group, then leave once she has her hair and makeup done. After, she can head to the groom's getting-ready area to help him prepare for his walk down the aisle.

What does mother of groom wear to rehearsal dinner?

What's The Theme? If a wedding and rehearsal dinner invitation specify a theme or dress code, it must be respected. If the fine print says 'black tie', then the mother of the bride should wear a full-length gown (the same goes for the mother of the groom).