Rehearsal Dinner Etiquette....

shazzy31

I'm starting to plan our rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.  (My fiance and I are paying for everything and we don't have much money left!)  We were planning on inviting both sets of our parents, siblings, bridesmaids and groomsmen and friends who are participating in the wedding.  I have been reading that some invite everyone's dates and some don't.  Is there a right or wrong?  We weren't planning on inviting the dates of the people in our wedding but I don't want to upset anyone...

Thanks!

viewfromheaven05

Honestly, I would (and am) invite their dates.  I recently went to a wedding where my Fi was part of the wedding party and I was not.  I think I would have been really lonely and bored being stuck in our hotel room while my FI and the others were at the rehearsal dinner.  I think it is a nice gesture to invite their dates and I think it would make your bridal party happier because then they dont have to worry about what their guest is doing while they're rehearsing and eating with the rest of the bridal party.

demarcosjd

Although it is a nice gesture you do not have too. We put the invite out there to only those that were married or engaged not just a random bf they had been with for a few months. They all turned it down and came by themselves. I was also invited to a rehearsal dinner with MH and only came by myself. It is very awkward for the person who is not in the wedding to come to the rehearsal just sit there and watch and if they don't come and only show up for the dinner it looks like they just want a free meal. It's really up to you there is no right or wrong way. I don't think anyone would be offended if you didn't, weddings are expensive and you are giving everyone a meal at your wedding!

Just an idea my cousin is doing a low key rehearsal dinner more like a bbq or at a local pizzeria, which I am very excited about, less stuffy and more laid back. There is no set formality to the rehearsal dinner either, it's what you would like it to be.