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Savvy September 2019

Rehearsal Dinner Etiquette

Steph, on July 3, 2019 at 8:01 AM Posted in Etiquette and Advice 0 10
So we are having a smaller wedding, including FH and I, 69 people were invited, 37 who is family and 6 additional are wedding party and their partners (who aren’t family members). Because of the size of the wedding, I didn’t want to have a big rehearsal dinner because it would basically be the entire wedding. My fiancé, his parents and I were able to compromise so it’s just bridal party and their partners, our parents/siblings, and aunts/uncles. Than a small brunch the day after the wedding for just the bridal party and their partners.

So my question is, my cousin (in my bridal party), doesn’t have a significant other. I invited her to the wedding with a plus one and she’s flying in a guy friend from Louisiana to be her date (we live in NY). Luckily I’ve met him before so it’s not a total random at the wedding, but do I also now have to include him in all of the other events? Everyone else in the wedding party is married or in 5+ year relationships so I don’t want her to feel left out, but I also don’t know how I feel about including someone in a big life event that isn’t actually part of our life.

My aunt also has a boyfriend, whom I never met, and I don’t know if I’m supposed to invite him to the rehearsal either?

I don’t want to be a jerk, but also don’t want to feed every Tom, dick and Harry that happens to sleep in their bed that night.

10 Comments

Latest activity by earias, on July 3, 2019 at 2:47 PM
  • Chandra
    Master May 2019
    Chandra ·
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    I get not wanting to have randos around but I think the polite thing to do is invite them. Your aunt and her bf are a social unit even you've never met him.
    As for the bm friend, if she's the only person he knows I think its rude to have him come all that way and eventually say "you cant come to xyz. Stay alone at the hotel. "
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  • Aleks
    Dedicated October 2019
    Aleks ·
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    I completely agree. I’ve been to travel weddings where I’ve been excluded from some events and it SUCKS. Esp since it’s only one person I think you should invite.
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  • Bride2020
    Devoted May 2020
    Bride2020 ·
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    I have about the same wedding size as you! I didn't give plus ones to anyone without a significant other, but I have 2 people with SOs I'm not necessarily close to. They will be involved in activities like that. The point of having them there is to make your guest more comfortable and allow them to really have a good time and someone to talk to for the 45 collective minutes of standing around in between things at this stuff. I really really want to just be surrounded by close friends and family, thus the size, and I'm sure you want the same, but 2 guests will be alright and probably go relatively unnoticed.

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  • Caytlyn
    Legend November 2019
    Caytlyn ·
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    Yes, you should include him. I’m not sure why you think having him at the rehearsal dinner or brunch is a bigger life event than having him at your wedding.
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  • S
    Savvy September 2019
    Steph ·
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    I don’t think it’s a bigger life event. I was simply asking asking for suggestions. Ideally this person wouldn’t come to the wedding, but it is what it is. Thanks for your feedback though
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  • S
    Savvy September 2019
    Steph ·
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    Thank you for your input! I’m just hoping it makes my cousin a little less of a grump by having someone else there.
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  • S
    Savvy September 2019
    Steph ·
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    Thank you. I’m not even sure when he’s coming up. The two bridesmaids are staying with me the night before the wedding so both of their dates are technically going to be in the room alone.
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  • MrsJohansson
    Expert June 2019
    MrsJohansson ·
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    Normally I'd say invite who you want but it's really rude to invite one and not the other? I mean what will they do otherwise? :/

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  • D
    Super July 2020
    D ·
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    If they get a plus one for the wedding then they get the same allowance for the RD and brunch.
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  • earias
    Champion December 2017
    earias ·
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    Yes, you should invite them. It is rude to have them there as their guests and then exclude them from the activities.

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