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Updated Aug 17, 202217 Unique Rehearsal Dinner Ideas for an Out-of-the-Box Event
Plus, expert advice to ensure your chosen rehearsal dinner idea is a smashing success.
Once you've figured out all the rehearsal dinner etiquette you need to know, you're ready for the fun part: designing a unique event to serve as a precursor to the main celebration. Like a wedding welcome party, the rules surrounding rehearsal dinner ideas are fairly flexible and relaxed. Want to go all-in on a fun theme? Do it. Do you imagine spending the night before your wedding having an intimate dinner party with your nearest and dearest? By all means, do just that. You can truly do just about whatever you want for your wedding rehearsal dinner. But all the freedom can also be intimidating. Read on if you're struggling to come up with creative rehearsal dinner ideas. We're taking a look at some of our favorite out-of-the-box rehearsal dinner ideas, plus tips on where to begin with brainstorming your own rehearsal dinner decorating ideas.
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How To Personalize Your Rehearsal Dinner
When it comes to rehearsal dinner decoration ideas, the world is your oyster. You're afforded some flexibility since the rehearsal dinner isn't the main event. These tips and tricks inspire you and help get the creative juices flowing while you plan.
Start With a Solid Foundation
Before diving into the creative details like a color palette or rehearsal dinner food ideas, you need to take care of the who, what, where of the whole thing. For example, when it comes to the guest list, wedding planning expert Lara Mahler of The Privilege is Mine shares that "the rehearsal dinner which is usually for select people. Typically close friends and immediate family members (or your wedding party) would be invited to the rehearsal dinner and then the welcome party would open up to all guests and would be a less formal affair."
As for food, event expert Sonal Shah of Sonal J. Shah Event Consultants shares that "for the rehearsal dinner, it is easiest to do a plated, coursed, sit-down dinner with choices of entrees. But, if our couple wants more of a fun, party vibe, we do recommend stations so there is a variety of food and the focus is on walking around, talking to guests, and even dancing. A lot of times, the rehearsal dinner is only for the main family and bridal party, so, in this instance, we say to do a more intimate sit-down dinner." For all of your questions and concerns, use our rehearsal dinner planning guide to set a budget, make a guest list and pick a venue so you can build your design plans from there.
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Have Fun
Feel free to let loose and do what you want for this prewedding event. To start, think about your hobbies. Your interests can make a great base for your rehearsal dinner theme or aesthetic. "The rehearsal dinner doesn't always have to be a formal dinner," explains wedding planner and event expert Sneh Diwan of Diwan by Design. "This is an event for a couple to show their gratitude toward their closest friends and family for all the hard work that was put into making this wedding happen. Whether it's a sit-down dinner or a small get-together at the house following the wedding ceremony rehearsal, at its core the dinner is an opportunity to gather your favorite people and remember how their support got you to this place."
Highlight Your Love Story
Your rehearsal dinner is a fun spot to spotlight your relationship and introduce your family to details they might not know about the two of you. Maybe your first date was at a quaint little Italian restaurant—recreate that with a pizza or pasta dinner. Did you travel to Mexico early in your relationship? Pay homage to that meaningful vacation by serving tacos and margs as part of a fiesta rehearsal dinner. Using your love story as a base is a great way to come up with a meaningful theme that feels authentic to you.
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Creative Wedding Rehearsal Dinner Ideas
To inspire your own rehearsal dinner ideas, we're taking a peek at concepts past couples brought to life. From seafood boils to starry-night themes, there's sure to be a creative concept for you below.
1. Classic Rehearsal Dinner Invitation
It's important to have a dedicated rehearsal dinner invitation in addition to your wedding invitations since the rehearsal dinner typically has a more limited guest list than the wedding.
2. Blue-and-Gold Rehearsal Dinner Invitation
If you're leaning into a fun and distinct theme for your rehearsal dinner, give rehearsal dinner guests a sneak peek through the rehearsal dinner invitation. This couple chose a festive blue invitation with gold polka dots.
3. Jewel-Tone Rehearsal Dinner With Velvet Decor
This couple was leaning into a more neutral color palette for their actual wedding ceremony and reception the next day so they decided to go all-out with a festive jewel-tone color scheme for their prewedding event.
4. Mother of the Groom Giving Gift to Groom During Rehearsal Dinner
The rehearsal dinner is a perfect time to exchange gifts with the VIPs at your wedding.
5. Coastal Rehearsal Dinner Tablescape
Neutral colors and botanicals brought a beachy, coastal vibe to this rehearsal dinner tablescape.
6. Bonfire During Rehearsal Dinner
Kelly Anne Photography
This couple capped off their rehearsal dinner with a fun bonfire for guests to enjoy. Pro tip: have s'mores ingredients on hand so guests can enjoy a sweet treat as part of the bonfire.
7. Taco Bar at Rehearsal Dinner
Don't be afraid to have fun with your rehearsal dinner menu. If you have a favorite food that didn't make it onto the wedding-day menu, consider serving it before the big day at the rehearsal dinner. This DIY taco bar is a fun way to make the rehearsal dinner interactive.
8. Rustic Farm Table for Rehearsal Dinner
At this rustic outdoor rehearsal dinner, all guests dined together around one long farm table which created a cozy, intimate vibe.
9. Pizza During Rehearsal Dinner
A pizza dinner is a popular theme for rehearsal dinners and it's not hard to see why.
10. Simple Restaurant Rehearsal Dinner
Your rehearsal dinner doesn't have to be over-the-top. This couple chose a favorite restaurant they loved as the rehearsal dinner venue to host their event.
11. Bar Menu at Rehearsal Dinner
Since the budget for your rehearsal dinner may be more limited than the main wedding budget, many couples choose to offer a limited bar to guests at the event. Instead of a full open bar, maybe you serve just a few cocktails plus beer and wine, as this couple did.
12. Rustic Barn Rehearsal Dinner
This couple's wedding venue had a beautiful barn, but they wanted a summer wedding reception in a tent and weren't planning to use the space for the main wedding. Instead of letting it go to waste during the wedding weekend, the couple decided to utilize the barn of the prewedding rehearsal dinner.
13. Seafood Boil Rehearsal Dinner
Rehearsal dinners don't have to be formal affairs. This couple settled on a fun seafood boil for their coastal rehearsal dinner. You could even host a BBQ bash or enlist some of your favorite food trucks if you're looking for other casual ideas to kick-off the wedding weekend in style.
14. Welcome Box Gift at Rehearsal Dinner
The rehearsal dinner can be a great time to give loved ones welcome bags and other amenities. Attendees at this rehearsal dinner received decorated gable boxes filled with goodies.
15. Modern Acrylic Rehearsal Dinner Sign
A modern acrylic sign that fit the event's aesthetic welcomed wedding guests to this rehearsal dinner.
16. Celestial-Inspired Rehearsal Dinner Decor
What's not to love about this modern celestial vibe? Stars hung from the ceiling above the long table where guests dined during this rehearsal dinner in California.
17. Nautical Sailboat Rehearsal Dinner
Instead of hosting their rehearsal dinner on land, this couple took to the seas. The prewedding rehearsal dinner took place on a sailboat off the coast of Massachusetts.
