Your Rehearsal Dinner

Rehearsal Dinner in a garden setting

The Rehearsal Dinner is an integral part of the wedding celebration.  It is a happy and relaxing time for family and friends, designed to bring people together and set the tone for the ceremony and celebration to come.

Traditionally, the groom’s family hosts the party.  They invite the immediate families of the bride and the groom, the
officiating clergy and spouse, the complete wedding party and their spouses or dates.  If there are out-of-town guests, they should be included in the evening’s festivities as well.

The Rehearsal Dinner is held immediately following the wedding rehearsal, usually the night before the ceremony. There are many places to have your event, from renting a room at a restaurant or museum to having a barbecue in your parent's back yard. What is most important is that your guests get a chance to meet you and your fiancé, and get to know one another. While the bridal couple and their parents usually sit at the head table, more and more couples are choosing to mingle with their guests.

As the host, the groom’s father makes the traditional toast to the couple and at this time he may introduce everyone if there is a chance that some guests are unfamiliar with those in attendance. This party is also the perfect time to present gifts to attendants, especially if the items given are to be worn at the wedding.

While it is a party, try to keep drinking to a minimum and make sure that it doesn’t last too long.  Every member of wedding party needs to get a good night’s sleep so they look their best at the main event the next day!

For more ideas of how to plan a lovely evening as prelude to your wedding day, call The Bride's Shoppe at 406-761-6338 or contact us through our website!

thanks for reading!

Michelle

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