rehearsal dinner

joelandmarjorie

What happens at the rehearsal dinner?

Do we have toasts?  Do we have to have toasts?

Is that when we give gifts to bridesmaids and groomsmen?  

Who all do we give gifts to?

Who all do we invite?

em01092

1. You eat! Socialize, be merry, all that jazz. They are not required by the way, just tradition and some people more or less expect them. You don't have to have a fancy sit down dinner either. 

2.Yes, that is a good time for toasts.

3. You can have toasts, if you want. Typically the couple, parents, family, or attendants will speak. There may be specific protocol about who is "supposed to" but I don't think that matters. You may not want to do it, but your/FIs parents may want to say a few words so let them, especially if they paid.

4. Yes, you can give gifts then, to your attendants and to your parents. 

5. You should give gifts to your attendants for being a part of your special day and to thank them for all they mean to you. Giving your parents something is a nice touch too. A lot of couples get gifts for each other, but usually I think that waits til the wedding day, not sure, not doing that. 

6. Invite all people involved in the wedding ceremony who are thus invited to the rehearsal. Anyone you ask to show up to the rehearsal should get to come to the dinner.  Typically this means your immediate families, BMs and GMs, FG/RB, ushers, greeters, readers, etc. Anyone essential, including the officiant and spouse. It is also courteous to invite SOs (serious bf/gfs, fiances and spouses) of your attendants, as well as any OOT guests who may be stuck at the hotel. You should also invite the parents of any children attendants you have, if they are not already in the wedding. 

Do all of this based on the style of your wedding (formal vs. low key), as well as your budget. It is totally fine to do a backyard BBQ at someone's home. You don't have to break the bank. 

Who is paying for and hosting the RD? Typically it is done by the groom's family but can be done by anyone. They should do the inviting. 

mari0225

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_georgia-atlanta_rehearsal-dinner-5?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:58Discussion:52ac9a26-0a1c-41a7-b885-cfb2e4d79884Post:5a5cc8df-9e0e-4c33-bee2-28dd5ac1a17d">Re: rehearsal dinner</a>:
[QUOTE]1. You eat! Socialize, be merry, all that jazz. They are not required by the way, just tradition and some people more or less expect them. You don't have to have a fancy sit down dinner either.  2.Yes, that is a good time for toasts. 3. You can have toasts, if you want. Typically the couple, parents, family, or attendants will speak. There may be specific protocol about who is "supposed to" but I don't think that matters. You may not want to do it, but your/FIs parents may want to say a few words so let them, especially if they paid. 4. Yes, you can give gifts then, to your attendants and to your parents.  5. You should give gifts to your attendants for being a part of your special day and to thank them for all they mean to you. Giving your parents something is a nice touch too. A lot of couples get gifts for each other, but usually I think that waits til the wedding day, not sure, not doing that.  6. Invite all people involved in the wedding ceremony who are thus invited to the rehearsal. Anyone you ask to show up to the rehearsal should get to come to the dinner.  Typically this means your immediate families, BMs and GMs, FG/RB, ushers, greeters, readers, etc. Anyone essential, including the officiant and spouse. It is also courteous to invite SOs (serious bf/gfs, fiances and spouses) of your attendants, as well as any OOT guests who may be stuck at the hotel. You should also invite the parents of any children attendants you have, if they are not already in the wedding.  Do all of this based on the style of your wedding (formal vs. low key), as well as your budget. It is totally fine to do a backyard BBQ at someone's home. You don't have to break the bank.  Who is paying for and hosting the RD? Typically it is done by the groom's family but can be done by anyone. They should do the inviting. 
Posted by em01092[/QUOTE]

Yep what she said!