Rehersal "dinner" Ideas Please help.

826zak

Well we are having our rehersal at Noon on a friday. What should we do for a food thing. I am a budget bride and I am paying for most of the wedding, as a infant care giver( not paid much). Any budget savy ideas out there?

Marrin713

How about a pizzeria?  Or have something catered either at your place or one of the parents?  BBQ if it's summer?

DramaGeek

Ours was dinner, but we still went casual.  We held it at the ceremony location and fed everyone pizza, green salad and cheesecake.  There may have been another side, too, I can't remember.  You could totally do something like that, nice and casual and host it at someone's home if you can't do it at the venue.

Loopyseven

Casual is fine.  Pizza is good, as would be barbecue.  You could even get a sandwich tray from Panera or Subway and have chips and salad and dessert or something.  It doesn't have to be fancy.  We did ours at an Italian place near the venue.  It was great!

GJones27

Where in NorCal are you?  You could always do something outdoors with food you've catered or prepared.  They have some beautiful outdoor places, which might work depending on the time of year.

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

Giant subway sub? Do you have a place like Baja Fresh? I have a friend who did Baja Fresh catering for a party last week  -she got tacos and a bunch of sides, and basically a while shopping bag full of chips. There are lots of "fast casual" restaurants that do catering. You can pick it up (or have someone do it) and host it at your house or your parents' house. 

Noon is lunch time, so you'll definitely need a full "lunch" meal.

Summer2011Bride

I agree with pizza or getting it catered from somewhere like Panera or Qdoba. Both would probably be pretty affordable but still yummy.

susanmhamilton

For my brother's RD, we had a cookout.  A couple of gas grills, burgers and hotdogs, baked beans, potato salad, fresh fruit, etc.  Casual, inexpensive, and fun.  I think a lot of people actually prefer a more laid-back, casual RD, especially when they know the reception the following evening will be more formal.

LoveMuffins

Another option would be gathering at someone's house, and getting the food from somewhere like Costco or Sam's Club (I don't know if they have any in CA, but they're basically places where you get the food in bulk and they're GREAT for parties, so if you have something LIKE them out there that would work too). You can get an incredible amount of food from there, ready-made and very cost effective! I use them any time I'm having a party.

AbbeyS2011

How about a buffet?  There are many around and they are very affordable at lunchtime, plus everyone can choose what they want to eat.  Alot of them have a private dining room that you can reserve in advance so you can spend the time with your WP in a more intimate setting.  Personally, I like the idea that all you have to do is show up and someone else does all the cooking and cleanup for you!

Meg1979

We are having ours catered by a local deli and I think my dad might BBQ some ribs.  It's very casual at my sister's house with just the WP, their guests and the officiants.

bdriley

Our rehersal dinner is at a brewery.  We're offering burgers (3 to choose from) and fries and having pitchers of soda and beer.  Lunch menus are cheaper than dinner ones typically and having a limited menu saves a lot.  Restaurants might have party platters too that you could get.  The brewery we're using has hot wings, chips and salsa, and antipasto platters that serve 30 people.  If they have a banquet room they might let you bring in a few things too, like snacks and a cake.

ekelly83

My BMs and my moms (step and real) are all making enchiladas and a huge taco bar. We are hanging out and getting it all done during the day before the rehearsal! One of my BMs thought of it! That way we can shop at Sam's club and do not have to pay a caterer.

dshrawder

We love Mexican food, so we're having ours at a Mexican restaurant near us... I don't think it needs to be fancy at all... just fun and good food!  

mandysmear

Lots of great ideas!

For ours we had it at my sister's house.  I made and froze a veggie and meat lasagne a couple weeks before.  Got some caesar salad from costco's deli/fast meals department.  Garlic bread.  Some chips and dips.  A cake.  It was awesome and it cost us very little.  Maybe $200.  MAYBE.

kforster1

Try and do something catered like a sandwich place or some place that has alot of appitizers and go that route.  You are looking to give people some food but not feed them till they are full.  Hope it helps.