According to tradition, the groom’s family hosts the rehearsal dinner. But if you live in Fayetteville and your future husband is from Michigan, it may be a little hard for his family to organize the event. What happens then? Chances are, much of the responsibility will fall to you.
If you know that your future in-laws will need help planning the event, go ahead and offer assistance. They will probably appreciate the help. A good place to start is by deciding who will be invited. Traditionally, the wedding party, their spouses, out-of-town guests and close family members are included on the guest list. But you don’t have to stop there. If the budget allows additional guests – and everyone agrees where to draw the line – there’s no reason why they shouldn’t be included.
Next it’s time to discuss what kind of event you would like to have. If you’re planning a formal, sit-down dinner, compile a list of possible locations, along with menus. Make sure the places you contact are available to host a party on the evening before the wedding.
If a sit-down dinner sounds a little too formal to you, why not try thinking outside of the box? There’s no rule that says rehearsal dinners should be served on fine china. For some couples, paper plates may work just fine, and with a less formal affair, you may be able to open the guest list to include everyone who is invited to the wedding.
Take a Dip
For a non-traditional twist, try a fondue party. “It’s really nice because it’s interactive,” said Case Dighero, catering director for The Market at Pinnacle Point in Rogers. Dighero has catered fondue parties that include Swiss cheese, hot oil and whiskey caramel fondues. The tone of a fondue party is less formal than a seated dinner and gives guests a chance to interact and experience something new.
Backyard Barbecue
To keep your event relaxed and informal, a backyard barbecue may be just the ticket. In his experience, Dighero has seen outdoor rehearsal dinners include everything from casual red-and-white-checkered tablecloths to an impressive whole-roasted pig. To set the mood, string white Christmas lights in the trees or along the deck. Or to take the chill off an early spring evening, light a fire in a chiminea or fire bowl.
Lunch Bunch
If you would rather spend the night before your wedding relaxing in the tub or going out on the town with all of your friends, why not suggest a rehearsal lunch? It may be a challenge for some people to take time off from work, but if schedules can be arranged, a nice luncheon followed by the rehearsal can provide the perfect option. If booking a party room, lunches may be easier to schedule, and the entr?es are generally less expensive than dinner.
Isn’t it Romantic?
Perhaps you met your fiance while browsing an exhibit at the Arkansas Arts Center. Or maybe you spent your first date having a picnic in the park. Either way, both of these locations would make a beautiful setting for your rehearsal dinner. Think back on your own relationship to the places that mean the most to you as a couple, and decide how to work it into your plans as either the main site or a secondary location to visit after the meal.
Variation on a Theme
Nothing gets guests in the party spirit like a fun theme. Dighero suggests a luau complete with sushi and kebabs or a Mexican dinner with salsa and other dips served in margarita glasses. Theme parties are also fun to decorate and can provide a sneak peek at your honeymoon destination.
