Cocktail vs. Seated Meal Rehearsal Dinner

BishL

Hey All! I am looking for some advice on hosting a rehearsal dinner. We (B&G) are going to be paying for our rehearsal dinner. I am contemplating doing a cocktail hour(s) to be able to invite our OOT guests. Has anyone ever done this? Was it well received?

I initially wanted the traditional seated dinner but our budget (and venue) only allows for a smaller number of invitees (wedding party and close family). What are your thoughts? Would you do a cocktail style to invite more people or a seated dinner and keep it smaller?

charlotte989875

BishL said:

Hey All! I am looking for some advice on hosting a rehearsal dinner. We (B&G) are going to be paying for our rehearsal dinner. I am contemplating doing a cocktail hour(s) to be able to invite our OOT guests. Has anyone ever done this? Was it well received?

I initially wanted the traditional seated dinner but our budget (and venue) only allows for a smaller number of invitees (wedding party and close family). What are your thoughts? Would you do a cocktail style to invite more people or a seated dinner and keep it smaller?

What time is the rehearsal (and subsequent dinner)? Would you still be serving a full meal at the cocktail?

If the rehearsal is close to a meal time you really should host the dinner right after and host food appropriate for the time of day. This can be a buffet, pizza, sandwiches, or a plated meal, but you really need to serve enough food for a meal. 

flantastic

charlotte989875 said:

BishL said:

Hey All! I am looking for some advice on hosting a rehearsal dinner. We (B&G) are going to be paying for our rehearsal dinner. I am contemplating doing a cocktail hour(s) to be able to invite our OOT guests. Has anyone ever done this? Was it well received?

I initially wanted the traditional seated dinner but our budget (and venue) only allows for a smaller number of invitees (wedding party and close family). What are your thoughts? Would you do a cocktail style to invite more people or a seated dinner and keep it smaller?

What time is the rehearsal (and subsequent dinner)? Would you still be serving a full meal at the cocktail?

If the rehearsal is close to a meal time you really should host the dinner right after and host food appropriate for the time of day. This can be a buffet, pizza, sandwiches, or a plated meal, but you really need to serve enough food for a meal. 

Yep. Cocktail only (no dinner) only works at a non-mealtime, so your rehearsal and party would have to be in like the mid-afternoon. Logistically that probably makes it worse for your wedding party, plus they get a worse thank you, plus your OOT guests may not even be all in town yet.

If you can't host a lot of people, host only a few people and do it decently (i.e., feed them a meal for taking the time out of their day to rehearse with you). Even if that's just the basics that PP mentioned above, at least feed them a meal as a thank you.

STARMOON44

Seated dinner and do it smaller. I really love that special time with the people closest to you. 

SP29

I would focus on hosting those who attended/participated in your rehearsal first and foremost. Thus, full dinner, smaller group.

The purpose of the RD is to thank those who participated in your rehearsal. Inviting OOT/extra guests is a bonus, so if you can't afford to host everyone to the same level as your RD guests, then don't do it- not necessary!

BishL

Thanks everyone for the advice! I think we will keep it smaller and see if we can squeeze in a welcome happy hour or something.