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Just Said Yes October 2022

Court House Wedding: Need for rehearsal dinner?

Sarah, on January 2, 2021 at 3:20 PM Posted in Parties and Events 0 13
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Hello everyone,


My fiancé and I are very recently engaged but have known for a while that we want a courthouse wedding with a low key, few frills reception/party after. (Ideally no more than 60 guests and once COVID is under control and it’s safe to gather). I also don’t want a bridal party, I have dear friends who I want there, but it feels silly to have bridesmaids for such a low key wedding
Whenever we set a date, is a rehearsal dinner necessary? We can’t exactly “rehearse” going to the court house and we plan on having food/drinks at our reception. We’re also trying to keep our budget from $5000-6,000 total.
On a related note, has anyone used a restaurant as a reception venue, and did you regret not having a place for guests to dance?
Thank you!

13 Comments

Latest activity by Lauren, on January 2, 2021 at 6:26 PM
  • Mrs. Spring
    Master April 2021
    Mrs. Spring ·
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    How nany guests do you plan on hosting
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  • Mrs. Spring
    Master April 2021
    Mrs. Spring ·
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    My bad, I reread your post. I don't think a rehearsal is necessary in your situation
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  • Chrysta
    Master November 2022
    Chrysta ·
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    A rehearsal dinner is most definitely not needed. You only host a rehearsal dinner when you require your wedding party to take time out of their evenings to rehearse the wedding. Since you are not having a wedding party, and not rehearsing the ceremony before hand, there is definitely no need to host a dinner for anyone.
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  • V
    Champion July 2019
    Veronica Online ·
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    A rehearsal is not needed in your situation. Also, I'm not sure a courthouse even under normal circumstances will allow approximately 60 people to be there to witness your ceremony.

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  • S
    Just Said Yes October 2022
    Sarah ·
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    Sorry, I should have clarified a bit more: we will be going to a courthouse with 1-2 witnesses (if our state requires them) and a photographer. The reception would be for everyone else who didn’t witness the courthouse ceremony.
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  • Michelle
    Rockstar December 2022
    Michelle ·
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    There's nothing to rehearse so no need for the dinner

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  • Michelle
    Rockstar December 2022
    Michelle ·
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    Unless the reception is a celebration held at another time/date, it is not polite to invite guests to the reception only.

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  • S
    Just Said Yes October 2022
    Sarah ·
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    Agreed. We’ll likely get married privately and have the celebration/reception at a later date and time. (Both families support a private wedding/elopement)
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  • B
    VIP July 2017
    Becky ·
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    A rehearsal dinner is definitely not necessary, because you won't rehearse anything (which will save you some money). PPs are right, you're probably not going to be able (even after all of this has abated) to bring more than a few people with you to the courthouse. If you want to have 60 people, you may want to look into getting married at the reception venue (all you really need is the officiant there - a lot of the other stuff (processional, recessional, readings, etc.) are extras and if y'all are interested in the courthouse anyway, those are items you wouldn't have had anyway).

    I have no experience with a reception at a restaurant, but for my brother's rehearsal dinner we (I helped my mom, since my dad passed just before my brother got married) arranged to have a separate area at a restaurant. It was lovely. They had a special menu for just our group, we were able to order kegs and wine for our group, and we were able to decorate the area. It was a great time (and those were few and far between for us at that point).

    The only thing would be your dress. I don't know what kind of dress you're intending to wear (or if you want a dress at all) but if you fall in love with a ballgown (or even a wide a-line), then you may end up with trouble getting through the tables lol.

    ETA: just noticed your comment on the courthouse. I think you're good with your plans Smiley smile

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  • Yasmine
    Master October 2020
    Yasmine ·
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    If you're not having a bridal party then there's no need for a rehearsal dinner. Because what exactly would be rehearsed?
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  • V
    Champion July 2019
    Veronica Online ·
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    That makes more sense. I personally don't agree with only inviting guests to the reception, but if your family and friends support that decision and you're happy with it then that's all that matters.

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  • W
    VIP September 2020
    Willow ·
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    You don't need a rehearsal dinner.


    Since you're getting married at the courthouse, which has limited space and is as low key as it can get, it's perfectly fine to invite guests to just the reception, even if it's on the same day. The guests won't be missing any of the pageantry of a noncourthouse wedding ceremony.
    Just make sure the people who went to the courthouse with you are also invited to the reception.
    I had a microwedding in a backyard with no dancing. I did not miss having a dance floor. My coworker had a restaurant reception. She seemed fine with it.
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  • Lauren
    Expert July 2021
    Lauren ·
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    Not necessary! Sounds like a really nice intimate wedding! Enjoy it!
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