Rehearsal Dinner

[Crisg555]

Who is supposed to pay for the Rehearsal Dinner? I have our Rehearsal date planned at the wedding location, but I need to start planning the Rehearsal dinner.

Any advise is appreciated.
Thank you. :)

[Always&Forever]

If possible, the groom's family is supposed to plan/pay.

[Crisg555]

Thanks for the reply.

[thetsakid]

Its supposed to be the grooms family but I've heard of alot of people (bride & groom) doing it themselves.

[gennymac]

You know, I went through all the bridal magazines, websites, and read everything I could get my hands on in regard to the Rehearsal and Dinner. Maybe it is the "Bridezilla" episodes the groom seems to be gravitating to regularly these days, but I'm ready for some fun - and something stress free, something familiar and easy. (BTW, he always says, I am sooooo lucky - those guys on TV are living in H$!! and I'm sooo happy)

So, our rehearsal dinner is an old fashioned back yard cookout, with the red and white checkered table clothes, grills, fold out chairs, and the standard fare - hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, potato salad, etc. and some fun games.
All of my bridal party, save one, will be traveling from out of state: California, Upstate NY, FL, SC, GA, NJ, VA, and WV so I don't really want them having to arrive, go to a rehearsal and be on the mark, then have to go to a formal dinner. I want them to relax, enjoy seeing people they haven't see in awhile, and get to know new people.

The invitations are going out this week and they are so cute ! We did a program of what we'll be doing at the rehearsal then the dinner.

We are planning for 50 people, including the pastor and his wife, parents of the flower girls and ring bearer, and the spouses of all the attendants and ushers.

Just another idea to share.

GennyMac:calm:

[StaceyMc]

DH and I had pizzas and a veggie tray at my parents house. Everyone enjoyed themselves and it was super relaxed.

[cinderellasmom]

This past summer I went to a rehersal dinner and I felt sorry for the bride and groom-- practically everyone who was invited to the wedding was at the rehersal---150+ so yea the bride groom and bridal party were all tired and stressed and trying to be on their best behavior... it was way too much-- a good idea turned bad! haha
I really like the idea of a BBQ or something at home or just alittle something for the parents and bridal party and minister PERIOD--- no aunts uncles extended family just those who need to reherse! so everyone get home/to the hotel to get a good night sleep!

[august8bride]

The groom parents are suppose to pay. But there are no real rules about the rehearsal dinner. You can have a laid back bbq or a formal sit down dinner. The ones I've been too, freinds and family stand up and tell funny stories about the bride and groom. While eatting dinner. Almost like informal toasts. Good luck planning!

[StarCoveter]

Usually it's the groom's parents who pay.

We are having our rehearsal at the lodge, then everyone will have dinner at a neat restaurant about 30 minutes away (we'll travel together). FH's parents are paying for the wedding party (which is basically just me, FH, our officiant-FH's sister-, and my MOH).

But I'm inviting any and everyone to come join us because I want to spend as much time as possible with everyone that weekend!

[Jacobs_Girl]

The place we are renting from is letting us use their facilities for free since we booked it for the whole day even though we are only using it in the morning and afternoon only.

[karyljm]

The Grooms family pays, but the rehearsal dinner is not for everyone. It is for the wedding party, the minister and his spouse, and for the parents. It gives a little time for the families to become acquainted. Grandparents can also be welcomed, but the party is after the wedding.

[Nikita706]

I agree with previous posters, the groom's family typically pays. We're actually doing a rehearsal brunch the day of the wedding (since the night before is 4th of July and people might have other plans), and FH's Mom is paying for it. We'll have about 20 people (only the bridal party, mine and FH's parents and their SO's and anyone who is helping out with the wedding). It ended up being around $400 for a variety of scones, muffins, breads, eggs, hash browns, crepes, ham, etc.

[Angel1na3]

Nikita, I really like your brunch idea! Unfortunately we wont be able to do that since the wedding is on a Saturday and rehearsal is the night before. Either way its a wonderful idea!
We don't know if FH parents plan to pay for the rehearsal so we arent counting on it and are planning to do it ourselves. We have no idea where we are having it or what we are doing yet. Just another thing to plan and think about lol