rehearsal dinner- how is it supposed to work?

RockstarWifey0912

FI and I are paying for the wedding mostly by ourselves. My grandparents are chipping in for the venue, and my mom is taking care of invites and the florist. I have no clue what the rehearsal dinner is for! I always thought it was for the wedding party, the night before the wedding, practice walking and timing, then eat. I assumed if we had one, it would be the WP, FI and me, and our parents, sibs, and my grandparents. Am I wrong? What actually goes on at the rehearsal dinner? Thanks in advance!

DramaGeek

You've got it right.  Everyone gets together to practice the ceremony so everyone knows who walks in what order, what songs get played when, who stands where, that whole thing.  Then someone treats them all to dinner as a thank you.  It can be a simple dinner - most that we've been to have been pizza or some other easy self-cater item in the church hall or someone's home.  One was a picnic/bbq in a park!  Very easy and inexpensive.  It was a nice time for everyone to chat and relax.

kleslater

We are having a dinner, with a semi-rehearsal. Really just explaining to everyone what they will be doing. And having our flower girls practice with their music.
The reason for the dinner is that my future MIL really wanted to help with something, however, she is not financially able to as my parents are.
But she is a wonderful cook, so she is making dinner for all of us at our house.

RockstarWifey0912

Whew, ok. Thanks! FFIL offered to pay, so I just have to get a price...

dawnrose27

The rehearsal dinner, as stated above, is used to thank those closest to you.  A wedding I was in recently had a slide show of the couple that their family had put together and then the couple gave little speeches for each person in their wedding party before giving gifts. It was a really nice (personal) way to thank everyone for the involvement and remind everyone what a wedding is about, love and happiness surrounding by the ones you love!