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What is the protocol for a rehearsal dinner?

Author

Rachel Ellis

Published Jun 18, 2026

What is the protocol for a rehearsal dinner?

Generally speaking, you should invite “immediate family members, the wedding party, their guests, and sometimes out-of-town guests if they’ve traveled a long way,” Povey says. Additionally, the officiant and any readers or ushers may be added to the wedding rehearsal dinner guest list.

Who typically attends a rehearsal dinner?

Your immediate families, the bridal party (including the parents of the flower girl and ring bearer, even if they’re not in the wedding), any ceremony readers, and your officiant (plus his or her spouse, if married) should always be invited to the rehearsal dinner.

How long should a rehearsal dinner be?

Most rehearsal dinners last two to three-plus hours. Give your guests at least 30 minutes to 1 hour to travel between the wedding rehearsal venue and the rehearsal dinner venue, if they’re different places.

Who plans the rehearsal dinner for a wedding?

groom’s parents
Traditionally, the groom’s parents are the hosts of the rehearsal dinner, since the bride’s family customarily pays for the wedding. But given the more relaxed standards of modern times, other relatives, close friends, or even the couple themselves can plan and pay for the event.

Do aunts and uncles get invited to rehearsal dinner?

Family. Of course your parents should be in attendance at your rehearsal dinner along with your grandparents and your siblings. You are not obligated to invite your extended family, but most couples do include aunts and uncles; especially ones they are close to.

Do you send out invitations to the rehearsal dinner?

When do the rehearsal dinner invitations go out? It’s best to send them four weeks before the event and, of course, after the wedding invitation. Elegant, formal invitations are perfect for the wedding, but feel free to express your creativity with color and thematic elements for the rehearsal dinner invites.

Are out of town guests invited to rehearsal dinner?

Out-of-Town Guests For guests that are traveling for your big day, it’s a nice token to extend a rehearsal dinner invitation. They’re taking on the expense of time and money to celebrate you, so including them in your pre-wedding celebrations is often customary.

Do you have a cake at rehearsal dinner?

Traditionally, the groom’s cake is served during the rehearsal dinner as well. Of course, you can serve it alongside the wedding cake on your wedding day, but every good party needs something sweet!

Are aunts and uncles invited to the rehearsal dinner?

Do you invite photographer to rehearsal dinner?

If it is not already included, it is beneficial to invite your wedding photographer to attend the rehearsal. Professional wedding photographers have attended hundreds of weddings. However, no two weddings are identical, even when they are held in the same wedding venue!

Do Significant Others go to rehearsal?

Usually, the wedding party is invited to the rehearsal dinner along with their significant others – spouses definitely included. If the dinner is meant only for the wedding party, a written invitation should indicate this preference. Still, ask your husband to double-check with his friend if you’re unsure.

Who should you invite to the rehearsal dinner?

Only those who will actually take part in the rehearsal need to be invited to the rehearsal dinner. This includes the bride and groom, their parents, the officiant, the wedding party (and any child attendants like the flower girl and ring bearer), musicians, and readers. You will also need to invite spouses or dates for the above.

Where to have rehearsal dinner?

The rehearsal dinner is traditionally held the night before the wedding, often on a Friday, and usually starts at about 7 p.m. This leaves time for attendants to get there from work. For a Sunday or holiday wedding, you have more options.

What do you do at a rehearsal dinner?

The most important part of a rehearsal dinner is the chance it offers for both of your families to spend a little more time together before your wedding day arrives. Encourage people to mix and mingle, and take the opportunity yourselves to squeeze in a little quality time with people you haven’t seen in awhile.

What exactly happens at a rehearsal dinner?

What Exactly Happens at a Rehearsal Dinner? Dinner. The first, of course, is to eat! Gifts. The rehearsal dinner is also a great time to distribute gifts to your wedding party and your parents if you aren’t planning to do so on your wedding day. Toasts. Usually, the hosts of the event will kick things off, followed by the groom toasting his bride and her family. Dessert. Now on to dessert.