Pre-wedding Parties

Rehearsal Dinner

In regards to our rehearsal dinner, we want to be able to include our wedding party's spouses and children, as well as a couple out-of-town guests that will be travelling with members of the wedding party. This is because everyone is travelling from out-of-town and we don't want spouses/children/a couple of guests stuck in their hotel room. 

Our issue is that we are on a tight budget. 

Our present solution to this dilemma is to have a picnic-style rehearsal picnic in the mid-afternoon (around 2 or 3). We would provide food and drink for everyone from a local Italian sandwich shop. This would be the time when we present our bridal party members with their thank you gifts and any other rehearsal dinner festivities. The picnic would be at our ceremony venue, which is a state park on the ocean. 

Then in the evening, FI and I would like to go to a local seafood restaurant, and casually mention to the wedding party and out-of-town guests that we will be at said restaurant for dinner and if they would like to join us, they are welcome to. This would not be a required event for anyone, formal invitations would not be sent, and we would not be paying for anyone. 

Is this okay? Our main concern is that we don't want to offend anyone or unintentionally hurt people's feelings.



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The truth behind a well laced dress

Re: Rehearsal Dinner

  • edited December 2011
    Will they all be able to make a RD at 2-3? If they're already taking the day off that's one thing, but it would be really tough to get off half a day for a picnic.
  • ivyrose13ivyrose13 member
    1000 Comments Fourth Anniversary 5 Love Its
    edited December 2011
    Everyone is coming from out-of-state and will be here Thursday evening, and in some cases earlier... their choice, not mine. So everyone would be able to make the RD at 2 or 3 without a problem. 
    image
    The truth behind a well laced dress
  • edited December 2011
    Given that they're available for the afternoon picnic, I think that's a lovely idea for the RD (assuming those with children don't have children who still nap).

    I think there may be people who expect you to pay to the word-of-mouth dinner invite later in the day though, which could get awkward.
    image
    Kate ~ Mommy to Matthew 3/29/07 & Kylie 12/30/08 & Chase 3/31/11
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