Rehearsal Dinner

Tabbie11

Good Morning Ladies, 

So we had some things change with our attendance and ceremony. I wanted to add a good friend that is now doing a ceremony reading and my aunt who is doing my hair. Now this means I'd actually be adding four people because I'd invite a couple others so they dont feel left out. We were talking about this last night and my fiance doesnt think its nessesary to invite people's respective other half or spouse. I already had them on the list and feel like we should invite them as a nice gesture. We are trying to keep it small, mainly for financial issues, but with the new additions I think we are still at 20 people. Now I don't now what to do, we definately don't want it to be huge, our wedding is on the smaller side with only 89 adults so don't want to end up with two big dinners but dont want to upset people either. 

Summer2011Bride

Yes spouses absolutely need to be invited, as well as any SO like PP pointed out (gf/bf, fiance, etc.)

FWIW, though I would invite the reader to the rehearsal and dinner, I probably wouldn't invite my hairdresser. I know she is your aunt, but unless you planned on inviting all extended family and therefore she got included that way, I would not invite her (unless you already told her she was invited).

Tabbie11

What if one of fiances groomsmen is bringing a friend but not a SO?

OliveOilsMom

I don't think the GM should be bringing a friend to the RD.  Did you give him a plus one for the RD?  I would have your FI speak with the GM and say that there was some confusion and the invitation was meant only for him.  As for the wedding, it is a nice gesture to allow all WP members a plus one, even if they are truly single.  It would be acceptable to allow the GM to bring his friend to the wedding.

And I wouldn't invite your aunt, the hairdresser, to the RD unless she is having some sort of roll during the actual ceremony. 

Tabbie11

Thanks ladies! We did give all our guests a plus 1 for the wedding, and one gm is bringing a good female friend rather than a g/f who we all get along with. She happens to be my bm b/f sister... He didnt say or ask about the RD yet, but wasnt sure if we should allow or not so we are prepared or can offer

Kate61487

Based on past similar questions I think my opinion differs from a lot of girls on the board, but I personally think if they were given a date (and are bringing one) to the wedding then that date should also be invited to the RD.  I don't think they should get a separate +1 for the RD (i.e. bringing Jane to the wedding but Suzie to the rehearsal - but if they RSVP'd with Jane then Jane should be included)

For example: if a GM is coming from OOT and is bringing his date from OOT it seems really rude, to me, to say that his date has to sit at the hotel alone while he attends the RD.  I know for us - even our GM who were only coming from an hr away got a hotel the night before; I'd have hated to think that one of them had their date carpool with them friday after work and then the date was stuck with nothing to do while the GM went to the RD.  Even if the date is local - the RD is a good opportunity to meet the other BP SOs, who she can then sit with at the ceremony while her date is busy.

Because of all that I think she should be invited.

Kristin789

>>my fiance doesnt think its nessesary to invite people's respective other half or spouse.

What?  Of course you must.