Rehearsal Dinner - Need to Have or Nice to Have?

I think this depends on when your photographer will get there. If they are getting ready shots than it's a need to have.

It has always been a choice, to have a rehearsal dinner, or to have the bride take out her people, and the groom take out his, and use those times rather than the whole group to say/ give thank you . As a member of BP, I always prefer those who do the smaller gathering, not couples, not family, just B or G and attendants. I like the intimacy. And there are lots of brides or grooms I care a lot about, but have no interest in their brothers, sisters, aunts, parents and such, except for a polite greeting at the wedding. Not out to make new friends at RD.

Nice to have

While I understand the purpose, it's nice to have if it fits into the budget or you can have a non-traditional rehearsal dinner. For example, instead of having a traditional rehearsal dinner, we're having a MEET & MINGLE to include the wedding party and their spouse, our out of town guests that arrive the day before the wedding and immediate family members. And instead of a traditional meal, we're serving lots of hors d'oeuvres and beer and wine.

Need to have. People will be coming to practice for the wedding and should be treated after

Need to have

Nice to Have, on this. Small wedding, no wedding party.

I don't think it's necessary to have a dinner, but a rehearsal is necessary.

Nice to have. I don’t believe we will be doing one because we are foregoing a wedding “party” it will just be my fiancé and I at the alter.

I think it is great to do, give everyone time to get to know each other before the big day and helps to get along at the wedding, better pictures of everyone laughing together on the wedding day.

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This is a good point. It cuts down on toasts and speeches during dinner which helps keep your schedule moving the day of.

Need. Want those closest to us know how much we appreciate them.

Depending on the size of your wedding and the details you want, a rehearsal is definitely important, and if you're going to ask people to take the time (especially if it's destination or if people attending are from out of town) then feeding them is the least we can do. We're keeping our simple and doing pizza and beer/soda. Everyone at the rehearsal dinner is family, so it's going to be pretty laid back.

Need! We asked quite a few people to take off of work for that day, so it was the least we could do.

Need to have

Need to have, although I've been in several weddings that they did not

We do not have a wedding party but if we did I would have a rehearsal dinner. I like the idea of making it a point to thank the wedding party and family in advance in a smaller setting before the whole hoopla of the wedding.

Nice to have. We are doing one but it will be an informal one at our home in the backyard.

Nice to have if you ask me. Though it's ettiquite to feed people, We're not really planning on doing anything hugely special in terms of either rehearsal

I would say need to have for the wedding party. If you're not having a rehearsal, it's a nice have.