practice makes perfect

The rehearsal dinner is a practice party, usually first held at the church/ceremony site and the afterwards everyone gathers for a celebratory dinner. This a great opportunity for the wedding party to get better acquainted before the big day.

WHO HOSTS IT?
A formal rehearsal of the ceremony is not mandatory, but most officiants will want to run through the service giving everyone their cues for the wedding day. The dinner is traditionally hosted by the groom's parents and is usually held at a restaurant or the groom parent's home.

GOOD TIP: The more formal the wedding, the less formal the rehearsal dinner should be.

WHOSE INVITED?
The bride, groom, immediate family (parents and siblings), wedding-party members and any spouses and significant others, and the parents of any child attendants. One should also invite the officiant and his/her spouse to the dinner.

GOOD TIP: If many out-of-town guests are invited to the wedding, one may wish to invite them to the dinner if they are already in town.

WHEN IS IT?
This is held usually held one or two days before the wedding day.

WHAT HAPPENS?
Toasting: As host of the party, the groom's father will toast his soon-to-be daughter-in-law and her family; the groom also says a few words.

Gift Giving: The Bride and Groom may choose to present the wedding party with thank-you gifts during the course of the evening, as well as anyone who was an integral part of the wedding-planning process.