How
To Plan a Rehearsal Dinner
- by KissMeGoodnight.com
The
rehearsal dinner is one element of the wedding planning
that can be confusing for the future bride
and groom. Questions such as do we really have to have a rehearsal
dinner, what do we do at the rehearsal dinner, who pays for
the rehearsal dinner, who is invited to the rehearsal dinner
and do we have to invite out of town guests are planning questions
that remain unanswered for many couples. While the rehearsal
dinner may just seem like another expense and another task
that needs to be completed, it’s important to not skip out
on this wonderful opportunity to get together with close friends
and family members for a night of relaxation in a casual atmosphere
before the wedding. This article is intended to answer some
of the questions surrounding the planning of a rehearsal dinner
and to provide the couple with some necessary information to
help them plan a successful rehearsal dinner.
While
a rehearsal dinner is not necessary, it is a good opportunity
to get together with close friends and family members to thank
them all for their participation and assistance during the
planning of the wedding as well as their participation in the
actual wedding itself. The rehearsal dinner gives the couple
the chance to extend their thanks to everyone who has been
involved with the wedding planning or who has simply supported
them in their efforts. The rehearsal dinner can also be the
opportunity to relax and unwind before the wedding. The couple
is able to put aside their concerns over their upcoming nuptials
and enjoy the time with family and friends. The rehearsal dinner
has become a common tradition in weddings but the couple is
not obligated to host a rehearsal dinner if they choose not
to do so.
The
typical activities involved in a rehearsal dinner include meeting at the site of the ceremony to run through the logistics
of the ceremony and then gathering at a particular location,
a restaurant, catering hall or even a friend’s house, to enjoy
a meal together. During the dinner the couple usually takes
the opportunity to thank all their guests for their love and
support and may choose to honor their wedding party with gifts
at this time. There are also usually a series of informal toasts
at the rehearsal dinner. The parents of the couple will also
usually thank the guests and offer a toast to the couple. Any
of the guests at the rehearsal dinner are also free to offer
a toast or a few words of wisdom to the couple. While the wedding
is shrouded in traditions and expectations, the rehearsal dinner
is typically a relaxed atmosphere with no set agendas.
The
subject of who pays for the rehearsal dinner is another
confusing topic. Tradition holds that the parents of the groom
assume the financial responsibility of the rehearsal dinner
but more and more couples are opting to bear the burden of
the rehearsal dinner on their own. There are a couple of factors
that are contributing to this changing trend. First the medium
ages of couples getting married is on the rise and couples
who marry at a later age are typically more financially established
and capable of affording to finance the rehearsal dinner themselves.
In addition the responsibility of paying for the rehearsal
dinner is typically accompanied by the responsibility of planning
the rehearsal dinner and many couples are unwilling to relinquish
the planning responsibilities. The couple wants to ensure that
the rehearsal dinner reflects their personalities and tastes
and therefore assumes all responsibilities for planning the
rehearsal dinner.
Although the original intent for the rehearsal dinner was
to include those who are actively involved in the ceremony, the
couple is free to invite any other guests that they choose
to join them in the rehearsal dinner. The rehearsal dinner
is an opportunity for the couple to thank everyone who has
supported them throughout their wedding planning and also to
just relax and have a good time with friends and family outside
of the formality that often surrounds a wedding. With this
in mind it is appropriate to invite anyone that you want to
share in this sentiment. The couple may also wish to include
out of town guest in the rehearsal dinner in order to thank
them for making the trip to be with them on their wedding day.
While including out of town guests is a wonderful gesture,
it is important to understand that the couple is not obligated
to do so. If it would be too financially cumbersome to include
all of the out of town guests, the couple could consider hosting
a smaller event such as an evening of drinks and appetizers
for this larger group. Although everyone participating in the
ceremony should be included in the rehearsal dinner the guest
list is not restricted to these individuals and the couple
can choose to include anyone they wish.
Planning a rehearsal dinner can seem daunting as the rules
are not clearly defined but it is this flexibility that makes
planning a rehearsal dinner such a fun challenge. From the
invitation list to the activities the couple is under no obligations
to adhere to any strict guidelines in planning their rehearsal
dinner. Although planning a rehearsal dinner is not obligatory,
many couples opt to do so because it is such a wonderful opportunity
to thank their loved ones for their continued support.
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by KissMeGoodnight.com : 2005
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