Rehearsal Dinner Questions

Nope, you don't have to have toasts/speeches at your RD. Not even at your wedding reception.
But chances are thosz who want to give one won't respect your wishes. If they have to grab a mic to give a toast/speech, one thing you can do is making sure no mics are available lol but if they can give one without one , you only can hope they will be respectful if you tell them no speeches because you and your fiancé don't want .
Some guests won't respect the couple's whishes , it happens at all weddings: for example when the couple don't want an engagement party, bridal/couples shower , there's always one or two people who will insist and even throw a surprise party or if you don't want gifts (including money), some guests will still give you an item or cash.

What people forget is that they are not supposed to be 10+minute speeches. They are supposed to be short and sweet 2 minute toasts. They are always optional and many weddings don’t have them, period, whether at the rehearsal dinner or the reception. No one ever leaves saying “we had an awesome time but it was ruined because no one made any toasts.” Don’t have a microphone accessible and people should take the hint.


6:30 is great for dinner to start. Rehearsal will be about an hour before that time, and you have to factor in rush hour traffic to the restaurant.

You can definitely skip toasts & speeches! It's totally up to the two of you!!

I'd aim for 6pm or 6:30pm if that's not too early! That way your guests will all be able to enjoy the sunset.

View Quoted Comment Perfect! Yes, the sunset is really pretty at this location. It shouldn’t be too early. Our chapel venue doesn’t actually let us do an actual Rehearsal so it’ll probably just happen at our Rehearsal dinner venue so we won’t have to travel between locations.

I am not allowing toasts or speeches at any of my events

View Quoted Comment Love it! I’m restricting microphone access (aka I just won’t have one except for the DJ)