At HauteFetes, we believe your wedding weekend should start with a bang—and that begins with an unforgettable rehearsal dinner! As wedding planners that specialize in curating multi-day wedding celebrations, we believe the night before your “I do” deserves just as much planning as the big day itself.
Whether you’re picturing a garden dinner under the stars or wine tasting and dinner at a vineyard, your rehearsal dinner deserves its own love and attention. We’re sharing six do’s and don’ts for planning a rehearsal dinner filled with lots of love, laughter, and great toasts to set the tone for the magic of your wedding weekend!
DO Set the Tone for the Wedding
I recommend setting the tone to complement the wedding — without overshadowing it. If you’ve been following me for a while, then you know I love to find unique ways to create cohesion — from your save the dates to your thank you notes. Your rehearsal dinner can be a great time to focus on cohesion. Your tabletop, floral, design, and lighting are all great ways to achieve this. From a western-style hoedown to an Amalfi Coast-inspired pizza party to a tropical beachside fete, bring in details that you love.
While I suggest introducing the tone of your wedding, don’t overdo it. Think of your rehearsal dinner as a teaser event. You’ll want to give your guests the smallest taste of what to expect while still leaving plenty of mystery of what to expect on your wedding day!
DO Dress to Impress (Before the Dress!)
So much emphasis goes into choosing a wedding dress (and for good reason), but many brides-to-be don’t put much thought into their rehearsal dinner dress until the last second. You might choose to wear white or opt for a bold, colorful dress. Remember that there are other great ways to create an unforgettable rehearsal dinner look. Consider adding an eye-catching hair accessory or a statement purse. You are the star of the show, after all!
DON’T Forget About Guest Fashion!
We love wedding guest fashion mood boards to help curate a flawless guest look based on the tone of your wedding — and inspire your guests on what to wear! You can create a section on your fashion mood board to give guests some inspo on what to wear for your rehearsal dinner, too!
Whether you’re envisioning your guests wearing whites, pastels, florals, or something else entirely, a mood board is a great way to set the tone for a perfectly curated rehearsal dinner guest look. And your guests will thank you for helping them figure out what to pack for your wedding weekend!
DO Capture the Moment
We highly recommend adding your rehearsal dinner to your wedding photography and videography package. Having your wedding photographer at your rehearsal dinner allows you to get comfortable in front of the camera before your special day. It’s also a great way to capture intimate moments between you and your closest friends and family. Your wedding videographer will be able to capture any toasts given at your rehearsal dinner. Looking back, you will cherish those photos and video footage taken the night before you said, “we do”!
DON’T Forget About Entertainment!
Whether you’re crafting a personalized playlist of your all-time favorite tunes or inviting lively local acts—like a spirited Mariachi band in Mexico or the rhythmic steel drums of the Caribbean—adding music and entertainment will instantly transform your rehearsal dinner into an unforgettable celebration!
DO Get the Toasting Out of the Way
I always recommend getting the majority of the speeches done at the rehearsal dinner versus on the wedding day. From family dances to cake cutting, the wedding has so many of its own special moments that breaking up the flow with multiple speeches can drain the energy from the room. In contrast, the rehearsal dinner is a great time for family and friends to share meaningful sentiments about their relationship with the bride and groom. Consider grouping speeches together in between courses, and encourage everyone to keep their speech relatively short and sweet.
Wondering what the speech itinerary should look like? I recommend a welcome toast from the groom’s parents upfront, followed by a couple during the salad course, a couple during dinner, and then the couple or the groom closing out during dessert. If you want to do an open mic for rehearsal dinner toasts, I recommend doing it at the end of dinner and having a family friend who can skillfully cut guests off if their speeches get too lengthy.
Just like your wedding day, your rehearsal dinner requires thoughtful planning and a touch of magic! Newly engaged? Contact us at HauteFetes today! Let’s start planning the perfect wedding weekend, from the very first event!