Rehearsal Dinner Etiquette

[LadyCheese]

Maybe a dumb question...but is the rehearsal dinner just for the bridal party or is it for all your guests?? For those who are having one, who ae you inviting? TIA

[Spazz]

We invited our bridal party and their dates and the immediate family that was not in the wedding (just Mike's 3 sisters). It was about 40 people in total. We couldn't invite everyone b/c we had 85 people there. If it was a smaller group, I would have invited everyone though.

[LadyCheese]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lizz We invited our bridal party and their dates and the immediate family that was not in the wedding (just Mike's 3 sisters). It was about 40 people in total. We couldn't invite everyone b/c we had 85 people there. If it was a smaller group, I would have invited everyone though.

I have about 50-60 coming...My TA was shocked that I was just inviting the bridal party and my parents and not the other guests. So I wasnt sure what was the right thing to do.

[Christi]

We invited everyone since it was a small group (30)....

[Christi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LadyCheese I have about 50-60 coming...My TA was shocked that I was just inviting the bridal party and my parents and not the other guests. So I wasnt sure what was the right thing to do.

If I had that many guests, I would have invited the same people you invited...I saw that a lot of people had a welcome drink with all of their guests as a way to welcome everyone, but without the expense of inviting everyone to the RD...

[DreaW]

We invited everyone. We only had 19 people there

[Karen]

According to Emily Post.com "The rehearsal dinner guest list includes the wedding party, the officiant and his or her spouse or partner, parents and grandparents of the bride and groom, and also any other siblings of the couple who are not in the wedding party. The attendants’ husbands, wives, fiancé(e)s, and live-in companions should be invited, but inviting their dates is optional. At larger gatherings, aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews of the bride and groom are frequently included as well. After that, any number of people may attend, including out-of-town guests, close friends, and godparents—if you want a larger group at this dinner"

 

I didn't do a rehearsal since it was just Jay and I. My best friend did a casual "welcome dinner" for everyone coming to the wedding (20 people). I really don't see anything wrong with just having the bridal party at the rehearsal dinner as a way to thank your "inner circle" and perhaps a cocktail meet n greet for everyone else a day or two before the big day. This will probally cost nothing extra if you are at an AI and pick a low traffic bar to meet at.

[LadyCheese]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karen According to Emily Post.com "The rehearsal dinner guest list includes the wedding party, the officiant and his or her spouse or partner, parents and grandparents of the bride and groom, and also any other siblings of the couple who are not in the wedding party. The attendants’ husbands, wives, fiancé(e)s, and live-in companions should be invited, but inviting their dates is optional. At larger gatherings, aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews of the bride and groom are frequently included as well. After that, any number of people may attend, including out-of-town guests, close friends, and godparents—if you want a larger group at this dinner" I didn't do a rehearsal since it was just Jay and I. My best friend did a casual "welcome dinner" for everyone coming to the wedding (20 people). I really don't see anything wrong with just having the bridal party at the rehearsal dinner as a way to thank your "inner circle" and perhaps a cocktail meet n greet for everyone else a day or two before the big day. This will probally cost nothing extra if you are at an AI and pick a low traffic bar to meet at.

Thanks for the info. I dont feel so bad anymore for keeping the rehearsal dinner low-key. The majority of the guests are flying in on Thursday so we are having a welcome party for all the guests, then Friday we want to do the rehearsal dinner with th epridal party & my parents...then maybe afterwards we can meet the other guests at a bar for drinks, etc.

[Hartyt509]

We aren't doing one only because i'm trying to avoid FMIL as much as possible lol still even if i did like her not sure i'd have one - i feel guilty enough that i'm taking a day out of someone's holiday never mind more time

[LadyCheese]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hartyt509 We aren't doing one only because i'm trying to avoid FMIL as much as possible lol still even if i did like her not sure i'd have one - i feel guilty enough that i'm taking a day out of someone's holiday never mind more time

LOL...I hear you.