Rehearsal dinner Warning..somewhat stupid question

bejeweledone

We do have awhile to think about this but I've really been rolling lately!  Who is usually invited to the rehearsal dinner?  Obviously the wedding party but should we also ask those that will be escorted down the aisle and my stepfather and grandfather who will be walking me down the aisle??Thanks so much!!  Never did much reading about weddings so alittle ignorant of the etiquette of it all.

tmm140

My IL's paid for the RD. So it was the bridal party, parents from both sides, grandparents (if they wanted to) and MIL invited a ton of other family. We don't know why and luckily only DH's cousin and her family showed. I think MIL went overboard with the inviting. I guess it really depends on who's paying and who they want to invite. Just make sure you let them know how you would like it. I wish I would have said small and intimate, maybe then she wouldn't have invited everybody possible.

dreamer1125

We're having: bridal party and their SO's, me and FI's immediate families, my grandmother because she's being escorted down the aisle, and my aunt and uncle and my mom's best friend and her husband because my mom wants them there and she and my dad are paying. Plus FI and I really don't care.Ultimately the only people who really have to be there, IMO, is the bridal party. However, if there is anyone else who you would like to be there and the budget allows for it, go for it! In your situation I would definitely invite those who will be escorted down the aisle and your stepfather and grandfather, if you can.That was kind of disjointed, but HTH!

SarahKate31

Generally, the bridal party and their sig others, all parents, and anyone else who is in the ceremony (readers, etc). Also the parents of any ring bearers or flower girls, but not necessarily the kids themselves depending on what type of RD you're having.Sometimes OOTers are also invited, but it depends on budget and how big of an RD you want to have.

taracy

We invited our bridal party, their SO's, and the only other additional guests were my aunt, uncle and cousin who flew in from Utah. They flew the farthest of any guests, so we wanted to make sure they were included as much as possible.

mmulcahy

We did bridal party and sig others, both readers, immediate families, both grandmas, pastor and wife, and all OOT guests who were already in town. Ours got out of control quickly though!! If I were doing it again I would request small and intimate. It was chaos and impersonal in my opinion.

unionbay7

Agree with PP's that it depends on your individual situation and more importantly what the person that is paying wants.  We did all BP (with guests if they wanted, but none did), immediate family, grandparents, uncles/aunts (there were only 6 people total) and then all OOT (basically anyone staying in a hotel we felt deserved a meal for their expenses).  This was a slight battle with MIL who thought we were inviting too many people (we ended up with 40) but we said we would pay for anyone she didn't feel should be invited.  She ended up paying for it anyway but if this happens to you be prepared to offer to pay for anyone that the "payer" doesn't want to pay for

bejeweledone

Thanks so much for all your responses! I just want to make sure I'm not hurting feelings.  Fiance and I will be paying.  His parent's both passed so I think we'll just stick to the wedding party and my stepfather and grandfather as well as my mom and grandmother since they'll be escorted down the aisle. Thanks again for all your input..much appreciated!

rands09

We're planning pretty much the same as most of the pp...Party and  their SO's, Anyone participating in the wedding, and we don't  have too many OOts, so probably them as well. I'm not so sure about "immediate family"...I really want it to be a true rehearsal dinner - everyone involved will celebrate after we rehearse! And we really don't want a mini reception the night before the wedding :-)