Planning
Rehearsal Dinner Planning: Who Hosts, Who's Invited & What Happens
The rehearsal dinner is the relaxed night-before gathering after the ceremony run-through. Traditionally the groom's family hosts and pays, the guest list is the wedding party, immediate family and officiant (plus partners), and it happens right after the rehearsal, ending early.
Who hosts and pays?
Tradition says the groom's family; reality says whoever offers. Many couples now host it themselves or split it. Like everything money-related, decide early and log it in your budget tracker — rehearsal dinners typically run 10–15% of a reception's per-head cost since the group is small.
Who's invited?
- Must: the wedding party and their partners, both immediate families, the officiant and spouse.
- Nice: grandparents, readers, and anyone doing a ceremony job.
- Optional: out-of-town guests — a warm gesture, but it can double the bill. A separate casual "welcome drinks" hour after dinner is the elegant compromise.
The running order (keep it short)
- Ceremony rehearsal at the venue (30–45 minutes)
- Dinner — restaurant private room, family-style at home, or a relaxed BBQ
- Two or three short toasts (hosts, then the couple thanking everyone)
- Hand out wedding-party gifts and day-of timelines
- End by 9:30–10pm — everyone needs tomorrow's energy
The rehearsal dinner sets the emotional tone: warm, unhurried, and early to bed.
Who pays for the rehearsal dinner?
Do you have to invite out-of-town guests to the rehearsal dinner?
When should the rehearsal dinner be?
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