My FH and I are paying for the majority of our wedding, with my mom chipping in a good chunk of money, and my FH's parents chipping in some as well. Our wedding is about 60-80 guests total, so on the smaller side. My FMIL asked to be able to have 11 guests (but she included herself and my FH's dad and sister in that total, so really only asking for 8 non-immediate family members). I will only have four relatives (including my mom). All the other guests are our friends.
We are spending a lot more than we expected to on our wedding and my FH's parents contribution will more than cover the cost of them and their guests. However both our our parents had pretty simple informal weddings, and I don't think they are super familiar with the idea of a rehearsal dinner. I am nervous about this expense and really don't want to add it on to the cost of our wedding. I know traditionally this is paid for by the groom's parents but since my FH's parents are chipping in for our wedding I don't know if they are planning to pay for this as well and I don't feel comfortable asking. Our rehearsal dinner would likely be around 20-24 people (assuming all the people included in the wedding can bring their significant others, which feels appropriate to me). We did not have an engagement party and I am not having a bridal shower, so the amount of extra parties (and gifts) associated with our wedding is minimal.
Our wedding is still 7 months away, but we are carefully saving and paying for bills now so it would be helpful to know if we'll need to anticipate saving more to pay for this dinner. I know practicing the ceremony is necessary, but the entire dinner after feels like a formality and unnecessary expense. I'd rather invest that extra $1,000 or so into things that will actually make our wedding day more beautiful and enjoyable, or put it towards our honeymoon (I don't even think we will be able to afford one), not on dinner the night before.
Any advice?
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