The rehearsal dinner is an ideal way to kick off the festivities and spend time with your wedding party before the wedding day. It is, however, another detail that needs some focus and forethought!
Let's explore what the rehearsal dinner is and how to plan one efficiently.
Customarily, the rehearsal dinner is given for the wedding party on the night before the wedding. It's typically held after a ceremony rehearsal. The rehearsal itself helps key people know where they are supposed to be on the day.
The groom's parents traditionally host the dinner, but these days anyone can host it. Nowadays, the rehearsal dinner is frequently a less formal affair. Lots of South African couples have a relaxed family braai.
Times have changed significantly, so whether you would like a rehearsal dinner or a quiet evening at home the night before the wedding is totally up to you.
If friends and family are coming from far, dinner is an excellent opportunity to spend some time with them. But it is your choice. If you're having an intimate wedding, you'll probably have time to chat and catch up with everyone on the wedding day.
Create a separate list of people who you want to include in the rehearsal dinner, then work through inviting everyone. Invitations can be less formal than those for the actual wedding. A message, phone call, or e-vite is totally acceptable.
You can send out invites and plan the dinner 6 to 8 weeks before the date. As the dinner is usually the evening before the wedding, try to make it an early event. Start shortly before sunset so that everyone will be fresh for the main attraction the next day.
Ensure the dinner location is not too far from the venue or where guests will be staying for the wedding weekend. You don't want everyone to do lots of driving around. It's even better if your venue has accommodation and a space you can use for dinner.
A family member's home or a favourite restaurant are also attractive options.
You can decide on whether you'd like the event to be casual, smart casual, or smart. It's best to host a relaxed affair where everyone can be themselves.
The cuisine you choose, again, is up to you. Plan the menu early to prevent any hiccups. If you plan to book a table at a restaurant, explain the booking to make sure they can cater to your needs. You can also pre-order meals for the table to make things more seamless in the evening.
If you're on a budget, a bring-and-share barbeque or a cocktails-and-snacks affair are ideal ways to help keep costs down.
It's always fun to add one or two surprises to the dinner's proceedings to make it extra special. You can give the event a theme and put together a video of your photos together during your relationship.
You could also include sparklers or bubbles for guests to play around with and add to the evening's ambiance. Some couples like to have ice-breaker notes or questions on napkins or coasters.
The bride and groom need to simply be there and soak up the love of family and friends! It is good etiquette for each of you to make a short toast to thank everyone for being there for your wedding.
Other friends and family members may want to say a few words as well. Be prepared for this, allow people to have their say, and go with the flow.
If there are any last-minute details or announcements concerning the wedding, this is the time to communicate these.
Otherwise, remember to relax and have fun together after the months and months of wedding planning!
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