Is a Rehearsal Dinner Necessary?

ajroark

My FI and I are on a tight budget for the wedding and my FMIL keeps asking me where we’re going to host the rehearsal dinner. I hadn’t even thought about that! Is this completely necessary and if so, who gets invited and do we have to pay for everyone’s meals? Is it supposed to be at a restaurant or at home?

ldawngirl

IMO a rehearsal dinner is not mandatory. It's a nice thing to do and it can be as casual or fancy as you want, but to me, it's not a big deal if you don't have one.

jessicabessica

It can be anywhere you want and as formal or informal as you want, but you need to pay for everyone (or it needs to be otherwise hosted).  Pizza and beer at your house is fine.  I think you need to have one if you have a rehearsal, and you invite the people who were at the rehearsal, plus parents of any kids in the wedding party.  Some people also invite out of town guests, but that's not necessary. 

aerinpegadrak

If you have a rehearsal, you have to provide everyone who attends with a meal.

jerseydevil

I agree that if you have a rehearsal, then you must feed whoever is involved with the rehearsal (plus their spouses or SOs) as a thank you to them for being there.

It can be totally casually and you can have a BBQ, do pizza, whatever you can afford.

ajroark

Thanks for the advice! My next question: is a rehearsal necessary??

artbyallie

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_rehearsal-dinner-necessary?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:bc01c887-ade8-4249-b215-186a9466ddb8Post:31443db7-b3df-4786-9f0c-78bfcd4546d6">Re: Is a Rehearsal Dinner Necessary?</a>:
[QUOTE]Thanks for the advice! My next question: is a rehearsal necessary??
Posted by ajroark[/QUOTE]

<div>Not at all, unless you're doing something particularly unusual and/or complicated. Most people know how to walk/stand in a wedding ceremony.</div>

GJMLucky

no, a rehearsal is not necessary. I would say it is only beneficial if many of your wedding party have never been in a wedding, otherwise it is pretty straight forward. No rehearsal = no dinner! 

hschieferstein

I think it is good to walk through the ceremony the day before.  That way you know when to give your flowers to your MOH.  The readers can practice before a small audience and get comfortable talking into the microphone or make sure they are loud enough to be heard by all.  If you are doing any repeat after officiant stuff you get practice seeing how they are going to break up the phrases so that it can go smoothly.  Not mandatory, but think it is a good thing to do.  We are doing it and then just having BBQ so low key.