Rehearsal Dinner – Great Bonhomie
A rehearsal dinner is a great chance for the bride’s family to mingle with the groom’s family. Out station guests also love this opportunity to meet both the families and the exuberant couple. The hectic preparations for the big day are all done and the families relax and unwind before the great event. It isn’t necessary to hold this dinner, but most families do have it because the relatives and other guests for the wedding have to be ‘looked after’.
The groom’s family usually hosts the rehearsal dinner. But even the bride’s family or any close family member or friend could host the dinner. Often both families plan the venue, the guest list and menu together. Even if the brides family hosts the event, involving the groom’s family is considered polite and gracious.
Generally, the couple and their families and other close friends attend the dinner. Out-of-town guests who have come only for the wedding must be invited. Some people invite the clergyman who will play an important role in bringing the beautiful couple together. It is best to keep this a simple and quiet family affair as the wedding and reception will be bigger and expensive affairs.
Most people believe that a tinkle is sufficient to invite guests to a rehearsal dinner. Generally, it is not a very formal affair. However, some brides with a penchant for ceremony prefer a black tie dinner with formal invitations sent by mail. The invitation may be worded in this fashion:
Please Join us for a Rehearsal Dinner
in Honor of (Bride’s Name) and (Groom’s Name)
at (this location)
at (this time)
RSVP: (Host’s Name) at (phone number)
A grandiose venue is not required for a rehearsal dinner. You could even host it at your home or club. There are a lot of people hosting these pre-wedding dinners at private rooms in restaurants or smaller banquet halls. A cozy barbeque would also suit the occasion. It isn’t a good idea to have the dinner at some farm or restaurant which is very far and inconvenient to reach. If the venue is far, a proper map with directions to reach there is a must so that no guest is going around in circles, especially the out-of-town guests. It would be better to arrange for somebody to pick up the out-of-town guests.
The host generally, raises a toast to the ecstatic couple. There is jovial bonhomie and everyone drinks to the health and happiness of the couple as well as others who deserve to be honored. The dinner can be casual or formal, depending on the couple and their families. The food is important but not as important as the exchange of banter. If the wedding is early the next day, it is better to wind up the rehearsal dinner in good time so that the bride catches up with her beauty sleep.
The rehearsal dinner is the right time to give out gifts to the guests. They could also use the opportunity to thank the guests for coming to their wedding. There could be a few emotional moments when the bride and groom thank their parents and others. Hugs, tears and kisses often make this dinner a sentimental occasion.
All in all, it’s a great idea to have a rehearsal dinner. The wedding party relaxes and mingles. The bride gets a chance to unwind and get over her pre-wedding blues. It’s a happy event indeed!