14 Rehearsal Dinner Ideas on a Budget That Still Deliver on Quality

If you're looking for rehearsal dinner ideas on a budget, you've landed on the right page. Although the average rehearsal dinner cost is $2,750, it doesn't mean that yours has to be. If you're not quite sure what your wedding budget should look like or how to manage it, use The Knot Budget Tool to keep track of your wedding-related expenses. Whether you're looking for affordable rehearsal dinner ideas because you're trying to save money in general or to save more for your wedding reception itself, there are plenty of ideas for an affordable rehearsal dinner. To learn more about how to have an affordable rehearsal dinner and avoid common rehearsal dinner mistakes, we spoke with Kristy Barrett, Central Florida-based wedding coordinator and owner of Worry Knot: Weddings and Events; Dani Kupersmith, Philadelphia-based creative director and owner of Deevents who has planned more than 30 rehearsal dinners; Abril Santos, wedding planner at Lux Weddings located in Spain; Tracie Morris, CEO and wedding planner at You're The Bride in Detroit; Victoria Lartey-Williams, owner and lead event planner and designer at Victorious Events NYC; and Stephanie Zrelak, director of catering and conference services at The Abbey Resort in Fontana, Wisconsin.

In this article:

• Affordable Rehearsal Dinner Invitations
• Affordable Rehearsal Dinner Venue Ideas
• Affordable Rehearsal Dinner Ideas

Affordable Rehearsal Dinner Invitations

Planning your rehearsal dinner is key, but so is letting your guests know about it. Read on for affordable rehearsal dinner invitations to send to your guests without breaking the bank.

Eucalyptus Frame Rehearsal Dinner Invitations

Photo: The Knot

If you're hosting your wedding rehearsal dinner at an outdoor venue, these eucalyptus rehearsal dinner invitations are a great option. At $1.79 each (for 100), they include customizable text in fonts including signature, double thick and triple thick. And, there are more than 10 color options to choose from.

Modern Arch Wedding Invitations

Photo: The Knot

Invite your guests to your modern rehearsal dinners with these arch wedding invitations. At $1.99 each (per 100), customize the text in any way you see fit and add a photo of you and your partner.

Affordable Rehearsal Dinner Venue Ideas

When it comes to finding and booking affordable rehearsal dinner venues, The Knot Vendor Marketplace is a great tool to utilize. Filter by location and select a preferred budget range (with inexpensive, affordable, moderate and luxury as clickable options) to pull up corresponding venue selections. Once you have a venue in mind, Barrett notes it is important to ask the venue questions about guest capacity, whether or not there is a guest minimum or a prix fixe rehearsal dinner menu and event space options for rehearsal dinners. Morris notes that some popular affordable rehearsal dinner venues include pizzerias, local restaurants and public places such as parks.

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Affordable Rehearsal Dinner Ideas

You don't have to exceed your budget to host a fun and memorable wedding rehearsal dinner. Our experts shared ways to host an affordable rehearsal dinner that still delivers on quality (and taste).

1. Candle Celebration

Decorate your rehearsal dinner venues with candles. "An assortment of candles—votive, floating or pillar candles—can create a warm and inviting ambiance without costing a fortune," Lartey-Williams says.

2. Cocktail-Style Rehearsal Dinner

Spend time with your wedding party at a cocktail-style rehearsal dinner. "Consider nixing the dinner altogether and doing a cocktail-style rehearsal with hors d'oeuvres and an open bar instead of a sit-down dinner," Kupersmith says. "This can allow you to invite more guests without the added cost."

3. Hang Up Fairy Lights

You don't have to go overboard with your rehearsal dinner decorations, including extravagant lighting fixtures, for your guests to have a good time. Santos recommends placing some fairy lights on each table or around your rehearsal dinner venue for added brightness and a whimsical feel.

4. Host a Potluck

Barret recommends asking your guests to bring their favorite dish for a potluck-style rehearsal dinner. Not only is this a great way for your wedding party and guests to collaborate and familiarize themselves with each other ahead of the big day, but "doing a cookout or potluck rehearsal saves a ton of money," Barrett says.

5. Picnic in the Park

Although a picnic in the park may not be what first comes to mind when thinking about inexpensive rehearsal dinner ideas, if you want to add some extra flare to your special event, hire food trucks to park outside the park. Guests can pick their favorite selections and sample a variety of options.

6. Keep It Small

"Keep the party small and the guest count to a minimum," Barrett says. "Don't feel bad not inviting guests who are not part of the wedding party." Keeping it small will help make planning your rehearsal dinner easier—and keep you on budget.

7. Backyard Barbecue

Keep your rehearsal dinner casual and affordable with a backyard barbecue. All you need is chicken, beef, tofu, jackfruit, fish and vegetables and you're set to have a relaxing evening with your loved ones ahead of your wedding.

8. Pizza Party

Enjoy some pizza before you say your "I dos" with a pizza party. Place your pizza order with your favorite pizzeria (or one near your wedding venue) and you'll be all set to enjoy inside the pizzeria or at home. If you want your dinner to be even more personal, send a survey to your guests asking them about their favorite pizza toppings and add the most popular ones to your order.

9. Lake Dinner Cruise

If you're hosting a destination wedding or one at a hotel, check to see if there are any nearby lakes you can use to your advantage to host a rehearsal dinner on a budget. Zrelak notes that The Abbey Resort works with couples to coordinate rehearsal dinner cruises with Lake Geneva Cruise Line that keep things casual (and affordable) before heading into the resort to celebrate on their wedding day.

10. Dine in the Suburbs

Don't be afraid to venture into the suburbs for your rehearsal dinner. "Venues located in less touristy towns on the outskirts of big cities tend to be more affordable," Santos explains.

11. Cozy Home Rehearsal Dinner

Invite your guests to your home for a cozy rehearsal dinner idea on a budget. Morris notes that you can cook yourself (or with the help of your close family members) or hire a caterer to whip up your favorite meal. We'd recommend the latter so you can spend more time mingling and thanking your guests for being there to celebrate with you and less time in the kitchen.

12. A Taco Dinner

Whether you're hosting a Mexican-inspired wedding, or simply love the cuisine, Santos recommends a taco bar-style dinner as it can be a great way to create an interactive, yet affordable meal. "You can create a taco bar with a variety of toppings allowing guests to build their perfect taco," Santos says. Although you can host this kind of rehearsal dinner at home, we'd recommend taking your celebration to an authentic Mexican restaurant and working with the catering teams to bring it to life.

13. Highlight Local Cuisine

Support your community at a locally-owned restaurant. "Small locally owned places are usually the most affordable," Barrett explains. It also feels good to give back to the place where you'll be celebrating the start of your next chapter.

14. Transform a Rooftop

If your apartment complex or favorite restaurant has a rooftop, use it to your advantage. More often than not rooftop venues tend to be more affordable and offer priceless scenic views that will take your guests' breath away.