What is a 'Rehearsal Dinner' Popular in America, wedding rehearsal dinners are starting to make an impact here, but are they just another additional expense you can do without? WJ investigates...
You've got less than 24 hours until you and your betrothed tie the knot. Family and friends have all arrived. Only one thing can keep you from having a major anxiety attack - a really fun party. Enter the rehearsal dinner, which, as weddings have turned into weekend affairs, has become the grand kick-off to the festivities.
Rehearsal dinners usually take place after the wedding rehearsal, normally held a day or two before the actual wedding ceremony. Although the rehearsal dinner is not a ‘required’ wedding event, it’s a great way to give everyone who is involved with the wedding a chance to meet one another and to relax before the wedding takes place.
| It’s also the perfect time to say a few words of thank you and give the wedding party and parents their gifts. Traditionally, the rehearsal dinner is hosted by the groom’s parents, although anyone can play host such as the bride's parents, or a close family member or friend. Regardless of who hosts, make sure that they are involved with the planning process, such as where the event will be held or what will be served for dinner | 
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Opinions vary on who is to be invited to the rehearsal dinner. Obviously, all attendants are invited, and their spouses. Inviting the officiant and his or her spouse is also recommended, unless you are having a civil ceremony. Traditional etiquette also states that out of town guests should be invited, but depending on your situation, you could end up having two receptions! You may choose to limit the rehearsal dinner to your families, including aunts, uncles and grandparents. Generally it’s the budget for the rehearsal dinner that will help you decide who is invited outside your immediate families and attendants.
Many brides question if it is necessary to send out invitations to the rehearsal dinner or not. Normally a phone call is sufficient, but some brides opt to make their own invitations and send them out through the mail. If you decide to send out invitations and aren't sure what to say, try the following wording:
Please Join us for a Rehearsal Dinner
in Honour of (Bride's Name) and (Groom's Name)
at (this location)
at (this time)
RSVP: (Hosts Name) at (phone number) The next step is to figure out where to have the rehearsal dinner. A rehearsal dinner can be as casual or formal as you want to make it. Often, couples who are having a formal, elegant reception will opt for a casual rehearsal. Some popular rehearsal dinner places include a private room at a restaurant, a private club, a BBQ or a small room at your reception site.
If your wedding budget doesn’t allow you to go anywhere, you can host light refreshments in your home. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, some munchies and finger sandwiches and beverages. To liven up the evening include in your invitation a note to those you want to invite that the only requirement is to come prepared to share their favourite story about the bride or groom, invite them to bring pictures or other memorabilia. Wondering what to have for dinner? That is entirely up to you and the host; you can have a formal dinner or a more relaxed meal. Many brides decide to have a more informal rehearsal dinner, to keep everyone relaxed and rested for the following days wedding celebrations. Right before dinner is served, the host will usually say a few words and give a toast to the bride and groom, and often a few other toasts will be given as well.
Dinner is followed with drinks and craic, and the evening usually wraps up quite early, particularly when the wedding is the very next day. It's best to keep things fairly laid back and wind things up at a reasonable hour to allow ample time for everyone to rest up for the big day that lies ahead While the whole point of a rehearsal is for everyone to know exactly where they stand and what they do the day of the wedding, there’s no reason for it to be kept as formal as the wedding itself. After months of wedding planning, some light-hearted fun the night before may be just what you need to calm you down before the big event, and what could be better than spending a few hours in the relaxed and supportive company of close friends and family.
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Reception 
Meeting up with the lovely Kirstie McMurray from Cool FM, our compare for The Wedding Journal Reader Awards on Monday!
