Worried about the Rehersal Dinner...

AEPerpete

Hi All,
I just put a list together of everyone who is invited to the RD and it's totalled to 35 people....which for some is big and others small....but for us, because we are on a tight budget, it seems really big.
I was hoping I could get some suggestions for where to have it, and what to make. I don't think we can afford to do it at a resturaunt. I was thinking a BBQ, but the only place big enough would be FI Dads house/ backyard, and we haven't asked about hosting it there yet (just getting around to the RD now).
Any other ideas?

MairePoppy

When is your rehearsal? Your bio says your wedding is in October in Canada?

A backyard BBQ is fine for a rehearsal dinner, if the weather is warm. Otherwise, pizza and soda or beer and wine is relatively inexpensive. If you choose a place without a bar, they may allow you to bring your own wine if you want it. RDs don't have to formal sit down dinners at restaurants.

If your wedding ceremony is going to be simple and straightforward, you may not even need a rehearsal. No rehearsal = no rehearsal dinner.

Dina Geiger

We are having it at the In Laws house. We are on a tight budget & would like to ask everyone to bring something. Is this out of line? 

AEPerpete

Dina, if you are hosting a RD, you need to provide the food/drink. I know that can seem overwhelming, but that's the proper way to do it.
Unless someone else has offered to host it for you (a parent, or friend), then it is up to you guys.
As MairePoppy said, if the wedding is pretty straight forward you don't even need one, so maybe that is an option for you, however it's not polite to asks guest to bring dishes/ drinks if you are hosting it.
Thanks for the Advice....I really want to have one, as I'd like to use this time to give our WP  and our parents their gifts....it should be warm enough to have a BBQ....I'm just not sure where we can have it. I'd really like to keep it low key though.

Viczaesar

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_pre-wedding-parties_worried-about-the-rehersal-dinner?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:32Discussion:4e04296f-1ab6-4069-bc8e-a3a406b8fb0aPost:d738ee84-f644-4160-a88f-df330d980655">Re: Worried about the Rehersal Dinner...</a>:
[QUOTE]We are having it at the In Laws house. We are on a tight budget & would like to ask everyone to bring something. Is this out of line? 
Posted by Dina Geiger[/QUOTE]
Yes, this is out of line.  It's YOUR job to host it, not your guests'.

egm900

Is there a public park nearby?  To reserve a shelter/park building is usually only a nominal fee, if anything.

kmmssg

Yup, totally out of line to have people bring food to  the dinner that is supposed to be their thank you for being in the wedding.  For my first wedding we didn't have 2 nickels to rub together.  I made homemade spag sauce, salad, breadsticks, and homemade choc cake.  Cheap, filling, and tasted pretty good.  Pastas are a cheap way to feed a crowd.

AEPerpete

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_pre-wedding-parties_worried-about-the-rehersal-dinner?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:32Discussion:4e04296f-1ab6-4069-bc8e-a3a406b8fb0aPost:2c594bb7-d566-42bf-8e78-9185926f9a55">Re: Worried about the Rehersal Dinner...</a>:
[QUOTE]Is there a public park nearby?  To reserve a shelter/park building is usually only a nominal fee, if anything.
Posted by egm900[/QUOTE]

This is a good idea that I'll have to look into. Thanks!

katlinb

My FI and I are on a budget as well... we decided to have a bowling night for our rehearsal dinner. Pizza, beer, nachos and fun times. Usually alleys will give discounts for large parties. :]