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Updated Oct 14, 2024Do You Know Rehearsal Dinner Invitation Wording Etiquette?
This is what you need to write on your prewedding stationery.
Many people do a rehearsal before the wedding so they can get hitched without a hitch. Following this, couples have dinner with their VIPs so they can spend more time with them. But no matter if the dinner is casual or formal, you'll need to determine your rehearsal dinner invitation wording and send out invitations. Learn the proper verbiage for rehearsal dinner invitations, what your paper options are and more with our expert help. And don't worry, it's not complicated.
In this article: Rehearsal Dinner Invitation Wording Basics | Invite Methods | Wording Examples | Addressing Invitations | RSVPs
Rehearsal Dinner Invitation Wording Basics
There are some essential details you need to know before sending your rehearsal dinner invitations. Consider the following tips as a starting point.
- Decide whose name goes first: Traditionally, for couples composed of a bride and groom, the bride-to-be's name is written before the groom-to-be's name. That doesn't mean you have to follow suit. Arrange the names however you like, whether it be by alphabetical order or age.
- Choose the formality: Since this type of stationery is typically less formal, your rehearsal dinner invitation language be casual and playful. If you'd like to have a formal affair, the invitation's text will have to match.
- Be concise: "The wording for a rehearsal dinner invitation is more short and to the point than that of a wedding invitation," says stationery expert Le'Trice Penn of Lepenn Designs. That said, try to not add too much copy to your invitation. Instead, include the couple's wedding website so rehearsal dinner guests can get more details, like information about venue accessibility or the dress code.
- Include important information: You'll need to add the couple's names (first names are usually fine, but for formal events, use full names), rehearsal dinner date, time, location (venue name with city and state or full address), wedding website and hosts' names. Some invitations also include particulars about the wedding ceremony rehearsal itself if only your VIPs will be in attendance.
Rehearsal Dinner Invite Methods
There are a few ways your rehearsal dinner invitations can look like. Keep reading to see what your options are. (Psst: Check out more rehearsal dinner invitation etiquette here.)
1. Wedding Invitation Rehearsal Dinner Insert Card
Penn says rehearsal dinner invitations are more commonly included with the wedding invitation as an insert or wedding details card. "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," she adds. And if you're wondering if the two invitations should have the same design, the answer is that it depends. Here's how we see it: If your rehearsal dinner invites will be an insert in your wedding invitation suite, then it should match the look and feel of your wedding invites (which you can do with The Knot Invitations.) However, if you're sending your rehearsal dinner invites separately, they should match the vibe of your event. So if you're planning a down-home backyard gathering, get BBQ rehearsal dinner invitations.
FEATURED VIDEO FROM THE KNOT
2. Paper Rehearsal Dinner Invitations
If your rehearsal dinner guest list is quite different from your wedding guest list, consider sending the rehearsal dinner invites separately. If this is the case for you, consider sending paper or digital invitations. (We'll discuss the latter one momentarily.) "Couples traditionally do, and should, send some form of a printed rehearsal dinner invitation," says Penn. "The rehearsal dinner is one of the most important wedding events, whether it's designed to be formal or more casual, and should be treated as such," she adds.
Don't know where to find paper invitations you'll love? Head over to The Knot Invitations to satisfy all your stationery needs.
3. Digital Rehearsal Dinner Invitations
While paper invitations are pretty standard, if your budget doesn't allow for the extra printed materials, digital or email rehearsal dinner invitations are acceptable. But even though digital rehearsal dinner invitations are more affordable and sustainable and can be sent instantly, there are some cons to going this route. Some guests believe that a digital invitation look takes away from the informality of the event and isn't as accessible, while couples have trouble with finding diverse designs and have to worry about collecting everyone's email address. No matter which way you send your invitations, base your decision on what's best for your situation.
Rehearsal Dinner Invitation Wording Examples
As you're considering rehearsal dinner invitation wording, remember these three words: Keep it simple. The best invitations are the easiest to read and understand, so guests will RSVP and show up on time. Want to know how to word rehearsal dinner invitations? The following are some wording ideas to provide inspiration.
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Formal Rehearsal Dinner Invitation Wording Examples
Having a fancy sit-down meal? Here's what to write on a rehearsal dinner invitation for a formal event.
Design: Falak Khoja
If the couple is hosting:
The honor of your presence
is requested at the rehearsal dinner of
Tabitha Jones
and
Avery Jacobsen
Sunday, the seventeenth of October
two thousand twenty-seven
at six in the afternoon
at Lindey's
169 East Beck Street
Columbus, Ohio
If one set of parents are hosting:
Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Hill
request the pleasure of your company
at the rehearsal dinner
in honor of
Nicole and Steven's wedding day
Saturday, the sixteenth of October
two thousand twenty-seven
Rehearsal to begin at half after four
at The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit
1114 Washington Boulevard
Dinner to follow at half after six
Find more information on our wedding website at theknot.com/nicandsteven27
Casual Rehearsal Dinner Invitation Wording Examples
If you're planning to have a low-key dinner, this is for you. Look at this sample rehearsal dinner verbiage for a casual affair.
Design: Falak Khoja
If the couple is hosting:
William Smith and Whitney Tran
invite you to their rehearsal dinner
Sunday, March 14, 2027
at 6:30 in the afternoon
at Paladar 511
511 Marigny Street
New Orleans, LA
If both sets of parents are hosting:
Practice makes perfect
Mia and Hannah Woods
along with Mark and Sarah Veracruz
invite you to join us on Saturday, March 13, 2027
at 6:30 in the afternoon
for a rehearsal dinner in honor of
Sam & Dylan
at Bacchus in Brooklyn, NY
Visit their wedding website at theknot.com/dylansam3
Email Rehearsal Dinner Invitation Wording Example
You'll also need wording for a rehearsal dinner invite sent through email. Use the two templates below as a guide.
Design: Falak Khoja
If the couple is hosting:
Annette Lerman & Jack Davis
Invite you to celebrate with them
at their rehearsal dinner
Sunday, June 20, 2027
at 6:30 p.m. in the afternoon
at Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar
in Des Moines, Iowa
Check out our wedding website at theknot.com/jackandann
If the couple is hosting with their families:
Monique Coleman
&
Kim Perkins
together with their parents
invite you to their rehearsal dinner to celebrate with them
Monday, June 21, 2027
at 6 p.m. in the afternoon
at Amaterra Winery
8150 South West Swede Hill Drive
Portland, OR
How to Address Rehearsal Dinner Invitations
When it comes to how to address invitation envelopes, there are some etiquette rules to follow. This step is necessary if you're sending your rehearsal dinner invitations separately from the wedding invites. You'll need to add the full name of the couple or single person along with proper titles, while for a family you'll only do this for the heads of the household. But if you'd like to be more casual, just first and last names without titles like Mr., Mrs. or Mx. works too. Also, 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 addressing a plus-one, try to find out that person's name so you can include it on the invitation.
Rehearsal Dinner RSVPs
While wedding invitations typically include separate RSVP cards, 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." It's the responsibility of the host(s) to be the RSVP point person, which means they'll receive the guest responses. On the rehearsal dinner invitation, include your wedding website so the link can lead guests to the RSVP details, such as the point person's phone number and/or email address and the RSVP deadline date.
Additional reporting by Kim Forrest.
