Rehearsal Dinner

annamhisle

My FI's mother is hosting our rehearsal dinner at a local italian restaurant.  I wasn't sure what the etiquette was as to gift-giving.  Is this the time when you would give the wedding party their gifts? Also, who else needs to be included in getting a gift? Since my FI's mother is hosting the RD, I want to get her something to show her our thanks- along with my parents for paying for the wedding.

I just wasn't sure what everyone else did about this. Thanks!

strlzfan11

Anyone who is participating in the wedding should get a gift as well as your parents, even if they're not contributing.  They did raise you, after all.

The gifts can be given whenever, but many choose to give them out at the RD.

Loopyseven

We gave our WP their gifts at the RD, but did it "privately" as everyone was getting ready to leave, not as a grand gesture in front of everyone.  We got our parents photo albums after the fact, so we didn't do anything before hand.

EAJ2011

Yes, that is generally the time you give the WP gifts. You could try to do them on your wedding day but honestly it would just be one more thing to remember that day. Now FI and I did gifts for all our parents as a way to say thank you for the whole raising us things. Those will also be given at the RD. If you are doing a BM lunch or breakfast the day of the wedding that is another time you could give them their gifts. 

ootmother2

You may give the gifts at any number of times, nothing is carved in stone, but the Rehersal Dinner is pretty much customary.

Kristin789

It is not customary to give the WP gifts at the RD, because not everyone there will be getting a gift - so it would be turning the RD into a tired event:  those with gifts and those who do not get gifts.

In my region of the country, the MOH and BM gifts are given at the Bridesmaid's Tea or Bridesmaid's Luncheon, and the groomsmen & ushers get gifts at some get-together just for them - like a brunch or golf outing. 

Many brides host a bridesmaids' tea or luncheon to thank the gang for all the wedding prep they've put up with and to get in some last-minute bonding. Usually on the casual side, this girls only get-together is an opportunity to swap stories and for the bride to present each maid with her bridesmaid gift.

Read more: Bridesmaids' Tea: The BasicsTheKnot.com - http://wedding.theknot.com/wedding-planning/rehearsal-dinner/articles/bridesmaids-tea-basics.aspx#ixzz25fFqTlS5


It's customary to give the bride's parents and the groom's parents photo albums after the fact, maybe with a framed photo also.

OwningAHome1981

In Response to Re:Rehearsal Dinner:[QUOTE]It is not customary to give the WP gifts at the RD, because not everyone there will be getting a gift so it would be turning the RD into a tired event:nbsp; those with gifts and those who do not get gifts.In my region of the country, the MOH and BM gifts are given at the Bridesmaid's Tea or Bridesmaid's Luncheon, and the groomsmen amp; ushers get gifts at some gettogether just for them like a brunch or golf outing.nbsp;Many brides host a bridesmaids' tea or luncheon to thank the gang for all the wedding prep they've put up with and to get in some lastminute bonding. Usually on the casual side, this girls only gettogether is an opportunity to swap stories and for the bride to present each maid with her bridesmaid gift.Read more: Bridesmaids' Tea: The BasicsTheKnot.com <a href="http://wedding.theknot.com/weddingplanning/rehearsaldinner/articles/bridesmaidsteabasics.aspxixzz25fFqTlS5">http://wedding.theknot.com/weddingplanning/rehearsaldinner/articles/bridesmaidsteabasics.aspxixzz25fFqTlS5</a> It's customary to give the bride's parents and the groom's parents photo albums after the fact, maybe with a framed photo also. Posted by Kristin789[/QUOTE]

I have never heard of a bm tea or luncheon. All 3 weddings I was in I got my gift at the RD and no guest was offended that they didn't get one. Most people are not expecting gifts anyway and understand its mainly the Bp and parents who will be getting.

KellyBrian2013

A lot of people have BMs and GM who are OOT which makes giving them gifts prior to the rehearsal difficult. Even with my OOT BMs coming in early, I didn't have the whole bridal party together until the rehearsal. We gave out all gifts at the RD without much fanfare. We let our parents know we would be treating them to albums after the wedding, but did not give them any physical gifts at the RD.