All I know about rehearsal dinners is that they're a meal you have the evening before your wedding. I don't know why, or why it's called that, or who is supposed to be there.
I also don't know if it's a thing that I should be doing at my destination wedding, which is at an all-inclusive resort.
thanks!
Re: What is a rehearsal dinner and should I have one at my destination wedding?
The purpose of a rehearsal dinner is to thank anyone who took time out of their day to rehearse the wedding ceremony with you on that evening.
If you don't have a rehearsal, you don't need one.
If you do have a rehearsal, you need to provide a dinner for whoever had to be there - parents, grandparents, wedding party, readers, etc. - and their significant others. You also have the option to invite anyone else you want, but you don't have to.
I don't think we are having a rehearsal since the officiant will only be there on the day of the ceremony, and we don't have any bridesmaids or groomsmen.
I think the whole lack of a wedding party thing is a big reason why I don't understand a number of wedding traditions.
Rehearsal dinners are held immediately after rehearsals to thank the wedding party members and immediate family members-not as "night before" events or to introduce the two sides.