Having a rehearsal dinner is a sweet and intimate way for the bride, groom, and their loved ones to get together on the eve of the wedding day.

Traditionally organized by the groom and his family, the rehearsal dinner features a sumptuous meal shared by both family members and friends of the soon-to-be-married couple.

These days, rehearsal dinners don’t have to be tied down to traditions. To organize an extra special rehearsal dinner party, check out these tips.

Planning Stage

In the frenzied days leading up to the wedding, it’s very easy to overlook the rehearsal dinner since the spotlight usually centers on other pre-wedding parties like bridal showers and bachelor parties.

Traditionally, the groom’s mother organizes this event in partnership with the parents from the other camp. Unlike other pre-wedding parties, this type of gathering usually has a fixed guest list, although you can always expand to include more people like guests coming from faraway places. The guest list usually includes the following people:

• Bride and Groom
• Groom’s parents and immediate family
• Bride’s parents and immediate family
• Bridesmaids
• Groomsmen
• Officiate and spouse, if any
• Wedding coordinator and spouse
• Grandparents

Invitations for the rehearsal dinner party should be sent a few weeks before the wedding or a week after the wedding invitations have been sent out. The invitations don’t have to be impressive or ornate, just elegant and simple and should include the details of the party such as the venue, the time of the event and the required attire, if necessary.

Decorations

Weddings are typically full of traditions and rituals so for a change, you may want to follow a certain theme to make the event unique and special. Here are some ideas you may want to try:

Pool party. Have a splashing good time as your guests get a chance to shed off their stuffy clothes to dive into the pool. There’s nothing like a good round of pool volleyball to create instant friendship between family members and friends. Have fun under the sun and decorate the place following your chosen theme. Use sunflowers or daisies as cheery centerpieces for your tables. Set-up lemonade stations and decorate your surroundings with umbrellas, balloons and streamers that reflect the mood and theme.

Barbecue party. Set up tables and grills in your own backyard to set everyone a-cooking! Encouraging your guests to bring their own contributions to the menu as you share secret family recipes and old favorites.

Holiday theme party. You can even pattern your own celebration after upcoming holidays or seasons. If the wedding is to be held during the winter season, why not have a winter wonderland theme? July weddings are perfect for Fourth of July-themed parties. You can also implement an autumn harvest theme if the wedding is to be held during the season. There are lots of holidays and seasons for you to choose from so have fun picking and implementing themes.

Garden party. Set up your tables in a lovely outdoor venue or in a garden, and use bunches of flowers as centerpieces and decorations for your party.

If you’re only expecting just a few guests, you may want them seated in one big table with nameplates so that everyone will get to know each other better.

Activities and Gimmicks

Here are some activities you can try to break the ice. Keep in mind that there’s a wedding scheduled the next day so make sure that you end the party early.

Indoor games. Play pool, darts, foosball, and other indoor games. Your guests don’t have to play to win — just enough to raise a little friendly competition. Form teams mixing families together for maximum interaction between the bride and groom’s families.

Toasts. A rehearsal dinner party is also defined by its toasts, usually given by the parents of the bride and groom as well as the couple themselves. These important people won’t really have a lot of time for lengthy speeches in the wedding reception itself so this is the perfect opportunity for them to thank everyone who has made this partnership and the celebration itself a success. Remember to keep your toast speeches light, short and positive!

Gift-giving. The bride and groom are sure to receive a lot of wedding presents, but on the rehearsal dinner party, it’s their turn to give gifts to their parents and to those who have been involved in planning the wedding.

Food for the Heart

Go Italian! Italians are well-known for their hearty meals. Italian food is also relatively easy to make, making it an all-time favorite.

The American Way. Grilled burgers, barbecue, steaks and salads are a staple if you’re serving American food.

Sweet chocolate fountain

Delicious steaks

White wine

Dessert Alternatives. Set up a chocolate fountain or a chocolate fondue to make things a little different. (Tips on how to make chocolate fondue)

Drinks. Most rehearsal dinners are held on the eve of the wedding so heavy liquor is a definite no-no! Serve beer, sparkling white wine, cider, and even grape fruit to your guests for the many toasts of the evening.

Send off the bride and groom in style by organizing a lovely rehearsal dinner party. Have fun! If you enjoy reading this article, you’ll surely be interested in learning The Guide To Wedding Ceremony Programs.

Rehearsal dinner party! Check out this video.