While your wedding day naturally commands essentially the most attention during planning, the rehearsal dinner plays a vital role in setting the tone to your celebration weekend. We consulted Junebug’s top wedding vendors to discover rehearsal dinner mistakes couples face when organizing this essential pre-wedding event. From managing your guest list effectively to creating the proper timeline, our experts shared their insights on avoiding common pitfalls and missteps inside a rehearsal dinner. These 10 expert-backed suggestions will show you how to create a meaningful rehearsal dinner that kicks off your wedding festivities with warmth and intention.
Rehearsal Dinner Mistakes and Missteps to Avoid
Don’t Save Speeches for the Reception
Wedding photographer and Junebug Vendor Andrew Franciosa suggests saving those heartfelt toasts for the rehearsal dinner – it’s the proper time for family and friends to share their stories in a comfy, laid-back setting. This fashion, your reception can give attention to celebrating and bypass lengthy speeches that may drain the momentum (we’ve all been there). Consider reserving only the Best Man and Maid of Honor speeches for the marriage day, and encourage other family members to precise their sentiments throughout the rehearsal dinner.
Image by LIT Photography. See more of this intimate Belfast wedding here.
Don’t Miss the Likelihood to Be Sentimental
For those who’re planning a hometown or local wedding, take into consideration hosting your rehearsal dinner at your loved ones home or a favourite local restaurant. It’s an exquisite option to spend the night before your wedding, surrounded by the comfort of familiar faces and places.
Junebug Tip: When selecting a rehearsal dinner venue, keep it near each the ceremony location and/or your guests’ accommodations. Minimizing travel time ensures a smoother, stress-free evening for everybody!
Don’t Invite Too Many People
Nobody likes leaving people out, especially during your wedding weekend when it appears like everyone needs to be included. But the entire idea of a rehearsal dinner is to maintain it small and intimate. Persist with inviting immediate family, your wedding party, and their plus-ones. This keeps costs down, makes the evening special, and helps avoid unnecessary complexities before the massive day.
Image by EFEGE. See more of this artistic wedding here.
Don’t Drag Out the Rehearsal Dinner
Destination wedding photographer Alicia Nacenta shares that she encourages couples to maintain the evening short. Ideally, the rehearsal dinner should last not more than 2 to three hours, giving everyone enough time to go home and prepare for the massive day ahead. In spite of everything, the larger celebrations are still to return!
Don’t Go Overboard
“You wish the guest experience to construct toward the marriage day,” says Michele Fox Gott of Center of Attention Events. In other words, your rehearsal dinner doesn’t must be an elaborate, over-the-top affair. As an alternative, consider it as a small preview of the fun to return!
Luxury event planner Aimee Dunne tells us, “Don’t make it too formal. Guests can have traveled a great distance, undergone the effort of scheduling, packing, traveling, and buying a present. It’s thoughtful to create an experience they will genuinely stay up for, without stressing over things like what to wear or strict timelines.”
Image by Monique Ivette Photography. See more of this eclectic wedding here.
Don’t Overlook Guests Not Attending the Rehearsal Dinner
German wedding planner Uschi Glas of 4 Weddings & Events offers precious advice for those hosting destination weddings. “Arrange something for many who aren’t invited to the principal events. It could possibly be overwhelming to be in an unfamiliar place, especially if you happen to don’t know anyone else there and feel alone. We’ve had great success with inviting all guests to an off-the-cuff gathering at a bar (perhaps in your hotel), where you possibly can cover the associated fee of 1 drink and a few light snacks before the family heads off to the rehearsal dinner. This fashion, guests can connect and make plans to have dinner together somewhere on the town.”
Don’t Miss the Likelihood to Keep Everyone within the Loop
The people attending your rehearsal dinner are the important thing players in your wedding day—your parents, siblings, and wedding party. Before saying goodbye, reap the benefits of this moment to share essential reminders for the massive day. Let everyone know where and when to fulfill for wedding prep, what time they need to arrive on the ceremony space, and another crucial information that can help to forestall any mishaps.
Image by Jennifer See Studios. See more of this bistro wedding here.
Don’t Eat Too Much Alcohol
Aimee Dunne properly advises to not drink an excessive amount of. “It’s easy to get caught up in the thrill, but nobody desires to feel hungover on the massive day. Keep things laid-back but consider setting an unofficial “end time.” Hosting the event in a venue with a cut-off date will help, and limiting alcohol service after a certain point is a great move. Offering low-alcohol cocktails or similar options is one other great idea—most guests probably won’t even notice the difference!”
But Don’t Forget to Have Fun
We are able to’t wrap up this rehearsal dinner mistakes list without our favourite reminder: have a good time! It could seem easy, but don’t let the decorum or traditions of the evening dictate the way it goes. These are your closest relatives and friends, and spending time with them the night before you say “I do” needs to be easy, relaxed, and enjoyable. So create a playlist of your favorite tunes, keep the atmosphere light, and make certain to fill the evening with laughter.
Don’t Force a Rehearsal Dinner
Elexis Canny, owner and lead planner of Placid Planner, offers great advice for couples with guests who’ve traveled from far-off. “For our destination wedding couples whose guests have all traveled quite a distance, I all the time encourage them to forgo a standard sit-down rehearsal dinner and as an alternative go for a more relaxed Welcome Party that everybody can attend.” Whether you’ve gotten guests coming from afar or just prefer a bigger guest list and a more casual atmosphere, a Welcome Party may be the proper option for you. Remember, a rehearsal dinner isn’t mandatory. Do what feels best for you and your celebration.
By keeping these key reminders in mind—resembling prioritizing guest comfort, maintaining a relaxed atmosphere, and embracing the fun—you possibly can avoid those pesky rehearsal dinner mistakes and create a meaningful, memorable evening for everybody. Next, take a look at the very best places to snag a rehearsal dinner dress you’re keen on.
Image by Nikki McCrone Photography
