the rehearsal dinner

The rehearsal dinner, held immediately after the wedding rehearsal, can be as simple or elaborate as the host wishes. However, it should never upstage the wedding itself. It is best to go to a restaurant or club. This eliminates anyone in the immediate family having to deal with entertaining and clean-up the night before the wedding.

Traditionally, the groom’s parents are responsible for the cost of the rehearsal dinner. If they are from out of town, they may ask the mother-of-the-bride to help with reservations. But it is perfectly acceptable to have a godparent, friend or member of the bride’s family do the honor of hosting this function.

The guest list will include the attendants, the bride and groom’s immediate family, the ceremony official (and spouse, if any), plus any out-of-town guests, family or friends the couple or the host wishes to invite. If it has not already been done, the attendants’ gifts may be distributed at this occasion.

All will fare better if they make it an early evening. The best party—the wedding—is yet to happen!