Rehearsal dinner invitations can be sent alongside the wedding invitations to save money, but they really do deserve their own mailing because rehearsal dinners are separate, special events.

What is a rehearsal dinner?

The rehearsal dinner is a time to relax, kick back, and engage the guests at the wedding. It’s an informal, casual meal that takes place after a wedding rehearsal. This meal is usually the night before the wedding. Since the rigors of the wedding the day after are going to take up a lot of energy, this is kind of a time to catch up, take a breather, and relax with old friends. Sometimes, the wedding party may be unfamiliar with each other, and the rehearsal dinner takes care of that. The bride and groom also get to give thanks, acknowledgments, and speeches to, and about, the guests, family members, and other people that have volunteered and contributed to the wedding preparations.

Do I have to host a rehearsal dinner?

It’s not a mandatory event, but there are few hindrances to doing so effectively. You have to eat on the night before the wedding so it’s advantageous to eat with friends anyway.

Who takes on the bill for the rehearsal dinner?

Usually, the groom’s parents pay for the rehearsal dinner. Sometimes, couples integrate the cost into their wedding planning budget. Other times, both sets of parents pay for it. Since it’s such an informal event, there are no set rules pertaining to it, per se.

Who plans the rehearsal dinner? Who sends out the rehearsal dinner invitations?

Historically, traditionally, and most often, the groom’s mother handles all the preparations. It gives the mother-in-law a chance to flaunt her tastes and preferences, and it gives her a big hand in the wedding that she may have been aching for all along. It’s up to you, the couple, really. Couples should make this decision with some allowance for creative control to the person they cede the preparations to.

What happens at a rehearsal dinner?

There are toasts, speeches, expressions of thanks, and other games and trivialities to entertain the guests. Everything is informal and even jokes are in good taste. Sometimes, the couple gets royally roasted. That’s always fun!

How do I invite the guests?

Rehearsal dinner invitations should be sent a few days after the wedding invitations go out. They don’t need to be anything fancy.

Rehearsal dinners should be a lot of fun so don’t put too much extra work into the rehearsal dinner invitations.