Rehearsal Dinner - Need to Have or Nice to Have?

The rehearsal is a need but the dinner is nice.

If you're having a rehearsal and lots of moving parts that people need to be aware of ahead of time, I'd say need to have it. We're not having a ceremony (eloping before our reception with friends/family), so no need for a rehearsal. We do plan to decorate and set up for the reception the night before though, so we will have a casual dinner and drinks with any family/wedding party members who are present.

We are not doing it. We will have place savers...find your name and sit down...lol

Need to have, doesn’t have to be anything fancy but important to get together if you’re having a rehearsal

Nice to have. We haven't gotten to the part about planning the rehearsal but we figured we'll invite those attending the rehearsal (only the need to be there people) to grab something to eat after but it will be casual and they won't have to attend.

I think it's a need to have! Having an actual rehearsal and going over the layout of the wedding and ceremony is necessary for sure. I think the dinner is your last chance to relax and hang out before the big day. It's a small way to show your appreciation for your bridal party and I think it's necessary for those involved.

Need to have

Nice to have, but totally unnecessary in my opinion.

I don't get rehearsing eating. Who needs to learn how to do that?

I think its nice to have. we had a rehearsal and then a BBQ at our air bnb after and the majority of bridal party didn't even come ....

An extra nice to have but an extra "dont need to have" expense.

Probably more of a need to have.

If you're having your rehearsal the day before then it's a must. But only invite those involved in the ceremony along with their significant others. Some officiants now do rehearsals the day of the wedding, in which case a dinner is not necessary since you're going straight to the reception after.

Need to have depending on if the ceremony is very staged.

Nice, but not necessary...