The Ultimate Guide To Wedding Rehearsal Dinner Lengths

A wedding rehearsal dinner typically lasts two to three hours, though some couples have reported it lasting four hours. The length of the dinner can be influenced by the number of people attending, the number of speeches, and the type of food served.

Rehearsal dinner length varies, but typically lasts 2-3 hours

Rehearsal dinners are an essential part of any wedding, providing a more intimate and leisurely celebration before the full festivities begin. Plan for two to three hours for a rehearsal dinner. More people attending or giving speeches may lengthen the duration of the event; holding a more casual dinner may make it shorter. Determine whom you want to invite—smaller gatherings tend to be shorter. If the wedding is the following day, wrap things up early so that everyone has time to rest.

Rehearsal dinners tend to be directly after the ceremony rehearsal. However, they don’t have to be—feel free to do a lunch or brunch, if you prefer. If the wedding venues are in different places, factor in plenty of travel time from the wedding rehearsal venue to the rehearsal dinner venue. Stay away from a wedding rehearsal dinner venue where guests will have to travel more than 45 minutes. Allot more time for speeches if you’re opening the mic up to others besides the host and wedding party (or if anyone particularly likes grabbing the spotlight). Some couples also opt to include a slideshow, which will add on a few more minutes.

Since rehearsals are typically held the day before the wedding day, the rehearsal dinner usually follows directly after. If your rehearsal is not the day before, you can still have your dinner before the wedding day or after the rehearsal, as long as your important guests can still attend and will be in town. If there is travel involved from the ceremony site to the rehearsal dinner, we always recommend leaving 20-30 minutes PLUS travel time in between the rehearsal ending and the time on the dinner invite.

Traditionally, the rehearsal dinner is hosted and paid for by the groom's parents. But some couples may not include anyone who identifies as a groom, and more couples than ever are paying for their own weddings, so the final decision is up to you.

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So my FMIL has had her heart set on this particular Inn near the house that we are having the rehearsal dinner at. Our plan was to have dinner at 6pm...we are doing the rehearsal 4:30/5. My FMIL informs my FH that the dinner will be 4 HOURS! 2 hours for cocktail and 2 hours for dinner! I was like ummm WTH? Why is it going to be that long...I was hoping to be back at the hotel around 8/9 to relax and get a good night sleep for the big day!

More guests or speeches can extend the rehearsal dinner

Rehearsal dinners are an essential part of any wedding, providing a more intimate and leisurely celebration before the full festivities begin. Plan for two to three hours for a rehearsal dinner. More people attending or giving speeches may lengthen the duration of the event; holding a more casual dinner may make it shorter. Determine whom you want to invite—smaller gatherings tend to be shorter. If the wedding is the following day, wrap things up early so that everyone has time to rest.

Rehearsal dinners tend to be directly after the ceremony rehearsal. However, they don’t have to be—feel free to do a lunch or brunch, if you prefer. If the wedding venues are in different places, factor in plenty of travel time from the wedding rehearsal venue to the rehearsal dinner venue. Stay away from a wedding rehearsal dinner venue where guests will have to travel more than 45 minutes.

Allot more time for speeches if you’re opening the mic up to others besides the host and wedding party (or if anyone particularly likes grabbing the spotlight). Some couples also opt to include a slideshow, which will add on a few more minutes.

Destination weddings can be a challenge. For example, one user had dinner at 6pm...they were doing the rehearsal at 4:30/5. My FMIL informs my FH that the dinner will be 4 HOURS! 2 hours for cocktail and 2 hours for dinner! I was like ummm WTH? Why is it going to be that long...I was hoping to be back at the hotel around 8/9 to relax and get a good night sleep for the big day!

Since rehearsals are typically held the day before the wedding day, the rehearsal dinner usually follows directly after. If your rehearsal is not the day before, you can still have your dinner before the wedding day or after the rehearsal, as long as your important guests can still attend and will be in town. If there is travel involved from the ceremony site to the rehearsal dinner, we always recommend leaving 20-30 minutes PLUS travel time in between the rehearsal ending and the time on the dinner invite.

Travel time between rehearsal and dinner venues should be considered

When planning a wedding, it's important to consider the travel time between the rehearsal and dinner venues. Rehearsal dinners are typically held the day before the wedding day, so it's crucial to plan the timing carefully to ensure that guests can attend both events.

If the wedding venues are in different places, factor in plenty of travel time from the wedding rehearsal venue to the rehearsal dinner venue. Stay away from a wedding rehearsal dinner venue where guests will have to travel more than 45 minutes.

If there is travel involved from the ceremony site to the rehearsal dinner, we always recommend leaving 20-30 minutes PLUS travel time in between the rehearsal ending and the time on the dinner invite. Remember that the time on your rehearsal dinner invite should be earlier than what time you’ll actually begin eating.

Rehearsal dinners tend to be directly after the ceremony rehearsal, however, they don’t have to be—feel free to do a lunch or brunch, if you prefer. Plan for two to three hours for a rehearsal dinner, as this is the average length of time for a rehearsal dinner. More people attending or giving speeches may lengthen the duration of the event; holding a more casual dinner may make it shorter.

Determine whom you want to invite—smaller gatherings tend to be shorter. If the wedding is the following day, wrap things up early so that everyone has time to rest.

Early finish is recommended if the wedding is the following day

If the wedding is the following day, early finish is recommended. Rehearsal dinners are an essential part of any wedding, providing a more intimate and leisurely celebration before the full festivities begin. Plan for two to three hours for a rehearsal dinner. More people attending or giving speeches may lengthen the duration of the event; holding a more casual dinner may make it shorter. Determine whom you want to invite—smaller gatherings tend to be shorter.

Rehearsals are typically held the day before the wedding day, so the rehearsal dinner usually follows directly after. If your rehearsal is not the day before, you can still have your dinner before the wedding day or after the rehearsal, as long as your important guests can still attend and will be in town. If there is travel involved from the ceremony site to the rehearsal dinner, we always recommend leaving 20-30 minutes PLUS travel time in between the rehearsal ending and the time on the dinner invite.

Following the run-through of the ceremony, which usually lasts about an hour, the rehearsal dinner lasts about two or three hours. Some couples choose to extend the rehearsal dinner with an after-party or welcome party for the rest of their guests, but in general, you want to avoid going too late into the night. Remember: You have an early wake-up call for your wedding day!

Traditionally, the rehearsal dinner is hosted and paid for by the groom's parents. But some couples may not include anyone who identifies as a groom, and more couples than ever are paying for their own weddings, so the final decision is up to you.

Stay away from a wedding rehearsal dinner venue where guests will have to travel more than 45 minutes. Allot more time for speeches if you’re opening the mic up to others besides the host and wedding party (or if anyone particularly likes grabbing the spotlight). Some couples also opt to include a slideshow, which will add on a few more minutes.

After-party or welcome party can extend the rehearsal dinner

Rehearsal dinners are an essential part of any wedding, providing a more intimate and leisurely celebration before the full festivities begin. Plan for two to three hours for a rehearsal dinner. More people attending or giving speeches may lengthen the duration of the event; holding a more casual dinner may make it shorter.

Destination weddings can be planned for international weddings. Rehearsal dinners can be planned for 4 hours with 2 hours for cocktail and 2 hours for dinner!

Rehearsals are typically held the day before the wedding day, the rehearsal dinner usually follows directly after. If your rehearsal is not the day before, you can still have your dinner before the wedding day or after the rehearsal, as long as your important guests can still attend and will be in town.

Some couples choose to extend the rehearsal dinner with an after-party or welcome party for the rest of their guests, but in general, you want to avoid going too late into the night. Remember: You have an early wake-up call for your wedding day!

Traditionally, the rehearsal dinner is hosted and paid for by the groom's parents. But some couples may not include anyone who identifies as a groom, and more couples than ever are paying for their own weddings, so the final decision is up to you.

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