Have a question concerning the Bachelor Party plans. Ask Mark
GroomsOnline's Groomszilla Contest we're looking for the bossy and crazy groom that wants it his way. Yeah the groom thats taking over the wedding plans. Enter now you can win gift certificates to cut down on some of your wedding expenses. Enter Here
Wedding Rehearsal Dinner: Bringing Friends and Family Together
Practice makes perfect, so when you’re getting married, running through a pre-game drill is essential. And once you’ve ironed out how to walk, where to stand and what to say, it’s time to relax at the rehearsal dinner.
You want to make a great impression, especially in front of the bride’s family. A good place to start is with your outfit. What to wear, however, depends on whether the rehearsal dinner is formal, casual, or somewhere in between. And the formality of the event usually depends on the location, which can range from fancy restaurant to a friend’s backyard pool.
The rehearsal dinner is usually the domain of the groom’s parents, who can coordinate with the married couple to be on how lavish or low-key the event needs to be. With all the pomp and circumstance of the wedding day, couples typically want a more relaxed atmosphere for the rehearsal dinner. It should be a time when family and friends can be comfortable and get to know each other.
If the setting ends up formal, a suit and tie is a good choice for the groom. In a casual atmosphere, a nice dress pant or khakis with a dress shirt will work. Nice jeans and button-up, untucked casual shirt is OK for outdoor rehearsals. With the rehearsal, it’s probably more important to worry about under-dressing than overdressing. You don’t want to leave people with a ripped-jean and flip-flop impression.
Not only is it a good idea to mix styles between events: formal wedding-casual rehearsal. You also want the food to have a different flavor. If it’s chicken cordon blue for the wedding, make it Italian, Greek or even Mexican and margaritas for the rehearsal. But take it easy on the margaritas. A hangover is not ideal on your wedding day.
Invitations aren’t necessary for the rehearsal, but not a bad idea either. Just make sure they are less formal than the wedding invitations. You don’t have to invite everyone on the wedding list, but it is necessary to invite immediate family and wedding-party members, including their spouses or significant others. You’re also obligated to invite the officiant to the dinner.
The event is typically treated as a get-acquainted party, but there are a few elements generally part of the festivities. This is a good point to spread around some toasts. The groom’s father can toast the bride; the groom can toast his bride’s family, etc. Thanking and paying tribute to your parents and future parents-in-law will score big points.
