Rehearsal dinner

We had a rehearsal at our venue, and then we drove to the rehearsal dinner. My husband's parents paid for the dinner, except for alcohol. I just made the table reservation. We went to a Mexican restaurant, since I knew everyone in our families love Mexican, so it was really casual. Didn't even decorate anything. Everyone just showed up and enjoyed each other's time. 😊

We are having a rehearsal dinner but heres how its gonna go, mind you our venue got changed to a now air bnb

we are having a rehearsal, which is the only reason rehearsal dinner is a thing to feed those who you have come practice their part. then after we ordered catering from our favorite italian place (this will be super easy- trays of food- no servers or plated meals) two different options and one salad option for all to eat after the rehersal. no decor, nothng extra just food so they can also help set up for the following day. haha.

The rehearsal dinner can be as simple as you want it. Ours was at a restaurant, but you could have pizza and wings at your house if you really want to. We choose not to offer alcohol because my dad is a recovering alcoholic and we wanted to limit his exposure to alcohol, but most rehearsal dinners I've been include alcohol. The bride and groom are responsible for paying for the rehearsal dinner unless someone offers. My mother-in-law offered to pay so she covered the costs for us. My mom decorated. She had felt left out of the planning process so to give her something she could feel included in we asked her if she wanted to decorate otherwise we wouldn't have had decorations at our rehearsal dinner.

Rehearsal dinners come in many shapes and forms: I've been to rehearsal dinners at fancy steakhouses with a full open bar, and rehearsal dinners and at the couple's home with pizza and beer. As long as you provide your guests with food and drink (so that they don't have to open up their wallets), you're good to go! They can be as fancy or casual as you want them to be. You will need to foot the bill if nobody else has offered to host, but if you want something relaxed, casual, and inexpensive, then I'd recommend holding it at somebody's home and having simple catering, such as pizza.

You could do something like pasta and wine for the rehearsal dinner? Oftentimes Italian catering is in the same price range as pizza, and you could buy some wine in bulk and chill it beforehand! Just an idea

"Traditionally" the groom's family does it. Nowadays, that's usually if they offer. I am incredibly grateful that my ILs offered to do it.

We kept it super casual. It was at their apartment (tight fit, but we got everyone in there!), they did a Costco run and made the dinner themselves - including for vegans/celiacs/dairy allergies!!!! - and really treated it as a family kind of thing.

IF your FILs want to help out, maybe they can either chip in, or coordinate with your parents?

But, yeah, pizza and a cooler full of drinks would be more than adequate.

It doesn't need to be anything fancy at all and I wouldn't even spend the money for decorations. We will be doing our rehearsal and then everyone is going out for the night. We aren't paying for when everyone goes out (I know it's "etiquette" but our family and friends are fine with paying for themselves so we don't care what anyone ese thinks lol). We will probably do Dave and Busters and then a bar after the rehearsal.

You're welcome. And yes same, it's right near the hotel where everyone will be staying so we figured that would be something both fun and easy!

Yes I agree because they won't be bored they will be able to have fun as well! To me 30 minutes isn't far at all.