Rehearsal Dinner - Yes, No, Maybe?

cmcole4509

So I am totally new to this whole wedding planning thing. My wedding is about 10 1/2 months away, so I am just now starting to plan things. I have seen through different articles/posts that it is usually considered rude to NOT have a rehearsal dinner, since the people there are spending a lot of time and effort on being involved in the wedding. I'm just curious -  what is everyone's thoughts on a rehearsal dinner? I'm pretty sure I am going to have one, but does it have to be something big and fancy or can it just be something very casual? Also, who is normally invited to the rehearsal dinner? I'm guessing all of the members of the wedding party, both sets of parents, and the preacher? Any thoughts would be helpful

bunni727

Rehearsal dinners are only necessary if you have a rehearsal. For simple ceremonies, you can get away without one.

They can be as formal or casual as you want.

Anyone participating in the ceremony and their SOs should be invited. Some people extend it to all immediate family, or all OOT guests, but beyond rehearsers and SOs, it's up to you.

harper0813

If you have a rehearsal, you must have a rehearsal dinner as a thank-you. You were right - the officiant, parents, maybe grandparents, and wedding party are invited, as well as anyone's significant others. Sometimes out of town guests are invited as well.

MoonlightSilver

bunni727 said:

Rehearsal dinners are only necessary if you have a rehearsal. For simple ceremonies, you can get away without one.

They can be as formal or casual as you want.

Anyone participating in the ceremony and their SOs should be invited. Some people extend it to all immediate family, or all OOT guests, but beyond rehearsers and SOs, it's up to you.

This exactly. 

AddieCake

You definitely need to do something if you have a rehearsal. We just went to Pizza Hut for ours. It was inexpensive and everyone had a great time. You need to invite anybody involved in the wedding as well as their SOs. Most people include immediate family as well. We also included the stepchildren of one of my bridesmaids and 3 of our OOT guests. 

cmcole4509

Thank you all for your suggestions

PhoneCardLady

I thought that the only people that should be invited to a rehearsal dinner are those that are actually part of the wedding (and S/O's) and no one else.

lyndausvi

PhoneCardLady said:

I thought that the only people that should be invited to a rehearsal dinner are those that are actually part of the wedding (and S/O's) and no one else.

At minimum those people need to be invite.  However, you can invite anyone above that list that your want.

We invited our entire guests list.  Which happen to be 100% OOT.

mnhartmann

I really wish my bride-to-be pal understood this. They decided not to have a dinner because folks had to drive so far to get there for the rehearsal and they figure people want to get home. And the rehearsal is Thursday formsaturday wedding. Seems like having folks take time off work, drive a fair distance is all the more reason to host a dinner afterwards. Oh well. At least my SO wont have to take time off to go.