Who To Invite For Your Wedding Rehearsal Dinner

The rehearsal dinner is a pre-wedding event that is usually held the night before the wedding. It is meant to be a more intimate gathering for the couple's nearest and dearest, including family members and the wedding party, to come together and celebrate before the larger wedding celebration. While it is not mandatory, it is an exciting part of the wedding weekend and a great opportunity for the couple to relieve some pre-wedding jitters.

When it comes to invitations for the rehearsal dinner, there are a few options. Some couples choose to include an additional card in the wedding invitation suite for those who are invited to the rehearsal dinner. This is a convenient way to ensure that guests have all the information they need in one place. Others may opt for separate invitations, especially if the guest list for the rehearsal dinner is significantly different from the wedding guest list. It is also common to send digital invitations, especially for smaller groups or if many guests are travelling from out of town.

The invitations should include key details such as the date, time, location, dress code, and RSVP information. They can be sent out around two to four weeks before the event, after the main wedding invitations have been mailed.

Who should send the invitations?

According to wedding planner Laura Maddox, whoever pays for the rehearsal dinner should send out the invitations. Traditionally, this responsibility falls to the groom's parents, but this is not set in stone, especially if it's an LGBTQIA+ wedding. The couple may choose to host the dinner themselves, or both families can contribute. In some cases, the wedding party, other family members, or friends may host the event.

The hosts' names should be included on the invitation, along with the names of the couple, the date, time, location, and RSVP details. It is also important to include any additional information such as the wedding website and dress code.

If the hosts are different for the wedding and the rehearsal dinner, it is recommended to send out separate invitations for each event. This ensures clarity for the guests and allows the hosts of the rehearsal dinner to maintain control over their guest list and budget.

For a more casual and budget-friendly approach, digital invitations are also acceptable. However, printed invitations are considered more special, especially for the groom's parents or other family members who may want to keep them as mementos.

Regardless of the format, it is important to send out rehearsal dinner invitations promptly, usually about two to six weeks after the wedding invitations have been mailed. This gives guests enough time to make arrangements, especially if they are travelling from out of town.

What should the invitations include?

When it comes to wedding rehearsal dinner invitations, there are a few key elements that should be included to ensure your guests have all the information they need.

Firstly, the invitations should include the host's name. This is usually the couple, but if the event is hosted by someone else, their name should be included as well. Next, the names of the couple getting married should be listed. It is also important to include the event date, time, and location so that guests can arrive at the right place at the right time.

In addition, the invitations should specify the RSVP deadline and method. Email is often the easiest method for guests to respond, but other options include phone calls or text messages. Including the designated person's contact information on the invite will ensure guests know how to respond. It is also a good idea to include any other relevant information, such as the wedding website, dress code, or any special instructions.

Finally, while not required, you may want to describe the type of dinner that will be served so that guests know what to expect. Adding a personal touch, such as a favourite poem or lyric, can also make the invitation more memorable.

When should the invitations be sent?

When it comes to sending out invitations for a wedding rehearsal dinner, timing is important. Wedding planner Tara Guerard recommends mailing out wedding rehearsal invitations four to six weeks in advance of the wedding day and after the main wedding invitations have been sent. This means sending rehearsal dinner invites out four to six weeks before the wedding day.

It's also worth noting that there are different approaches to how you send rehearsal dinner invitations. One option is to include an additional card in the wedding invitation suite. This is often an insert card that includes all the details about the rehearsal dinner. The other option is to send out more formal, standalone wedding rehearsal invitations. If you're sending separate invitations, make sure you give guests enough time to make arrangements.

If you're having a traditional rehearsal dinner with a small group, you might not need to send separate invitations. In this case, you can simply create an itinerary for guests that includes all the wedding events during the weekend. Alternatively, you could send a text or give them a call.

What is the rehearsal dinner invitation etiquette?

The rehearsal dinner is usually the first event of the wedding weekend, making the rehearsal dinner invitation etiquette almost as important as the protocol for the actual wedding invitation. While you don’t have to follow tradition exactly, it's important to thoughtfully consider who you’re inviting and how to word your rehearsal dinner invitations so your guests aren’t confused about the event.

According to wedding planner Laura Maddox, whoever pays for the event gets the final say on who to invite to the rehearsal dinner, sends out the invitations (with their names on them as hosts), and receives the RSVPs.

• The host of the rehearsal dinner
• The names of the couple
• The event date, time, and location
• The RSVP deadline and method (email is often easiest)
• Any additional information: wedding website information, dress code, etc.

The rehearsal dinner invitation wording should include the date, time, and location of the event, as well as any dress code or special instructions. Rehearsal dinner invitations should be sent out three to four weeks before the event via mail or digitally, to give guests ample time to make arrangements. They can also be included inside an individual's invitation suite.

If you're having a traditional rehearsal dinner with an intimate group, you don't need to send separate invitations for the rehearsal dinner. However, it is recommended to create an itinerary for them that includes all of the wedding events during the weekend, along with their duties, to ensure everyone is on the same page and can book travel arrangements accordingly.

The rehearsal dinner is also a great time for speeches, which are typically less formal than those given during the wedding reception. It is customary for the host or hosts to welcome guests and thank them for attending. Other guests, such as parents or members of the wedding party, may give speeches if they wish.

Rehearsal dinner invitations can be sent via snail mail or digitally. While it is your ultimate choice, paper invites are usually the smarter route as they bring more weight and set the tone for the weekend.

Rehearsal dinner invitation etiquette dictates that invites should go out soon after wedding invitations go out (usually around two months before the wedding).

Who should be invited?

The rehearsal dinner is a great opportunity to get hyped up for the main event the next day. It is usually an intimate gathering, so the guest list is more exclusive than for the wedding itself. The rehearsal dinner is traditionally hosted by the groom's parents, but in modern times, it is becoming more common for the couple to host it themselves or split the cost with their parents.

The guest list for the rehearsal dinner should include the wedding party, the couple's immediate family, and anyone else participating in the ceremony, such as the officiant, flower girl, and ring bearer. Plus-ones are also usually invited, although some etiquette experts argue that this only needs to apply to the wedding day itself. If the flower girl or ring bearer are children of a bridal party member, it is a nice gesture to invite them.

The rehearsal dinner is also a chance for the couple's families to spend some quality time together before the wedding. So, the couple's parents, grandparents, and siblings are typically in attendance, and stepparents and siblings' plus-ones should also be invited.

If you are having a destination wedding, or the majority of your guest list is travelling for the big day, you don't have to invite all out-of-towners to the rehearsal dinner. However, it is customary to include them in your pre-wedding celebrations, so you could arrange a separate get-together for dessert and drinks after the rehearsal dinner.

If your wedding party is small, you may want to invite some close friends who aren't involved in the ceremony. Godparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins can also be included, depending on how close you are to them.

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