How to Find the Perfect Rehearsal Dinner Invitation Wording

Here's everything to include on your rehearsal dinner invitations, plus some suggested wording.

Dana Cubbage Weddings

Updated Dec 01, 2022

To make sure you get hitched without a hitch, you'll likely want to do a quick run-through or wedding rehearsal before your big day. The wedding rehearsal gives you the perfect excuse to hold a rehearsal dinner afterward with your close friends and family members. Of course, if you expect anyone to show up to the meal, you'll need to send out the proper invites (check out our favorites from The Knot Invitations). But what should you say? Here's what you need to know about rehearsal dinner invitation wording, straight from the expert.

What Should You Write on a Wedding Rehearsal Dinner Invitation?

"The wording for rehearsal dinner invitations is more short and to the point than that of a wedding invitation," says invitation and stationery expert Le'Trice Penn of Lepenn Designs in Southfield, Michigan. These are typically less formal invitations, and so the wording can have a more casual feel, but there is some information that must be included:

The couple's names (just first names are usually fine—if you're having a more formal event, use full names)
Date of the rehearsal dinner
Time of the rehearsal dinner
Location of the rehearsal dinner (venue name and city and state, or full address)
RSVP information
Host's names (traditionally, the groom's parents host the rehearsal dinner, but nowadays the couple or any number of close family can host the event).

Some rehearsal dinner invitations also include information about the wedding ceremony rehearsal itself—but that only makes sense if everyone who is invited to the rehearsal dinner is also invited to the rehearsal. The rehearsal is usually reserved for the immediate family, wedding party members, and the officiant—basically anyone who will be walking down the aisle and/or standing at the altar. If those are the only people who are attending the dinner afterwards, information about the wedding rehearsal can be included in the invite.

You might also include the couple's wedding website address, in case need to access more information. This isn't necessary, though, especially if the website is mentioned on another part of the invitation suite.

Do You Need to Send Out Printed Rehearsal Dinner Invitations?

"Couples traditionally do, and should, send some form of a printed rehearsal dinner invitation," says Penn. "The rehearsal dinner is one of the important wedding events, whether it is designed to be formal or more casual and informal, and should be treated as such."

While paper invitations are pretty standard, if your budget doesn't allow for the extra printed materials, email rehearsal dinner invitations are acceptable. Just know that email invitations might not be received as formally by your guests, so it might be worth sending follow-up reminders closer to the actual event.

Are Rehearsal Dinner Invitations Included with the Wedding Invitations or Sent Separately?

"Rehearsal dinner invitations are more commonly included with the wedding invitation in the form of an insert card," says Penn. "It's easier for the couple to have a smaller number of these inserts printed and only include it in the invitations of the guests who are specifically invited to attend. There are times when the host may prefer to mail a separate invitation and completely handle all tasks for the rehearsal dinner."

If your rehearsal dinner guest list is quite different from your wedding guest list, you might consider sending the rehearsal dinner invites separately. For example, if you are inviting children to your wedding but not the rehearsal dinner, separate invitations may make that clearer.

How Are Rehearsal Dinner Invitations Addressed?

When it comes to addressing wedding invitations, there are quite a lot of etiquette rules to follow. You can follow these rules if you're sending out your rehearsal dinner invitations separately from the wedding invites, or you can keep things more casual, particularly if you're throwing a more relaxed event. This means using just first and last names without titles like Mr., Mrs. or Mx.

When addressing rehearsal dinner envelopes, be clear about who's invited. Only say "The Shelton Family" if everyone in that household (including kids) are invited. Otherwise, say "Blake and Sandy Shelton". If you're inviting a guest with a plus-one, try to find out that person's name to include on the invitation.

How Should Guests RSVP for the Rehearsal Dinner?

While wedding invitations typically include separate RSVP cards that are mailed back, rehearsal dinner RSVPs are handled much more informally. According to Penn, "RSVPs for the rehearsal dinner may be received more casually in the form of an email, phone call or text."

Designate an RSVP point person who will receive all responses from guests—this is usually the event's host. The rehearsal dinner invitation should include a phone number and/or email address for this person. Also, be sure to include an RSVP date so that guests have a deadline to send in their response.

How to Choose Rehearsal Dinner Invitations

Selecting rehearsal dinner invitations can be a bit tricky—should they match your wedding invitations or not? Here's how we see it: If your rehearsal dinner invites will be included as an insert in your wedding invitation suite, then it's a good idea for them to match the look and feel of your wedding invites. However, if you're sending your rehearsal dinner invites separately, they should match the vibe of your event, whether it's a casual BBQ or a fancy sit-down dinner party. Fortunately, there are lots of great rehearsal dinner invitation ideas for any event style.

Rehearsal Dinner Invitation Wording Examples

As you're considering rehearsal dinner invitation wording, remember these three words: Keep it simple! The best rehearsal dinner invitations are the easiest to read and understand, so guests will RSVP and show up on time! Here are some wording ideas to provide some inspiration:

Formal Wording Examples for Printed Rehearsal Dinner Invitations

Please join us for a rehearsal dinner honoring
Nicole and Steven
Friday, the fourteenth of October
Two thousand twenty-two

Rehearsal to begin at 4:30 p.m.

The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit
1114 Washington Boulevard
Detroit, Michigan

Dinner to follow at 6:30 p.m.

Savannah Blue
1431 Times Square
Detroit, Michigan

Please respond with your attendance by Saturday, October 1, 2022 to (313) 123-4567 or MKHill@email.com

Hosted by Mary and Kenneth Hill

A rehearsal dinner
in honor of
Avery and Jordan's wedding day

Please join us
Friday, September 3rd
at 6 p.m.
for drinks and dinner

BlackFinn Restaurant and Saloon
19 East 7th Street
Cincinnati, Ohio

Hosted by Amanda and Glen Hill

Please RSVP by May 2nd
(313) 123-4567 or AKHill@email.com

Casual Wording Example for Printed Rehearsal Dinner Invitations

Nicole and Steven's
Rehearsal Dinner
Friday, October 14, 2022
6:30 p.m.

Savannah Blue
1431 Times Sq.
Detroit, MI

Kindly RSVP to (313) 123-4567 or MKHill@email.com by October 1st

Hosted by Mary and Kenneth Hill

Practice makes perfect
Kindly join us on Friday, May 6, 2025
for a rehearsal dinner in honor of
Sam & Dylan
at Bacchus in Brooklyn, NY
RSVP by April 15 to 555-111-1111

Visit our wedding website at theknot.com/dylansam3