Planning a wedding rehearsal dinner isn’t an easy task. There are so many things to consider: who will attend, where it will take place, what kind of food to serve, and so on. Here’s a step-by-step guide for how to pull off a flawless event!
1. Choose your location.
The first thing you should consider is whether you want a formal event or a casual one. Then consider the amount of people who will be attending; some venues offer different packages depending on how large the party is. A restaurant is a simple option for a casual wedding rehearsal dinner. For larger groups and more formality, you can rent out a banquet hall. However, if you want to be able to invite guests from out of town, your best option is to have the event at a hotel that also offers dining.
For example, if you’re getting married in the Georgia area, a place like The Lake Rabun Hotel & Restaurant is an ideal choice. Selected as a Top 10 Best Farm to Table Restaurant, they regularly host wedding services while providing boutique accommodations, so everyone on your guest list is covered!
2. Select an appropriate menu.
One of the most common issues around wedding events is the food. Will it be a sit-down dinner, family style, or buffet style? Are there any strict dietary concerns? Do you want to provide options for alcohol? These decisions can be even more stressful when the event is being held at someone’s home, and you’re the one responsible for the cooking and serving!
If this is the scenario you’ve found yourself in, first, consider hiring a professional chef for the event through a service like INTUEAT. Their digital marketplace makes it easy to directly connect you with various chefs in your area. From menu planning to shopping, preparation, serving, and clean-up, INTUEAT has you covered!
Doing the cooking yourself, but prefer some extra hands for serving? Qwick’s on-demand staffing platform offers skilled workers for many types of help, from cooking to banquet servers. Create a free account, post your shift in seconds, and it’ll be filled within hours!
3. Mail an invitation to your guests at least four weeks ahead of time.
Rule of the thumb: a wedding rehearsal dinner invitation should be sent at least four to six weeks prior to the wedding date. This gives everyone plenty of time to plan their trip and book accommodations. If you don’t give them enough notice, they may be unable to attend! Plus, if you wait any longer, then you may find yourself scrambling to find a venue and catering service, particularly during the busy wedding season.
Make sure your guests understand how important the event is by sending them a professionally printed invitation. ZoePrint.com is a fantastic option for creating invitations that look spectacular. Available in A2, A6 and A7 in both horizontal and vertical layouts, they have plenty of templates available that you can customize and send out in no time!
4. Be prepared for unexpected issues the day of!
Whether you choose to host an intimate affair or a larger shindig, things happen. The good news is, along with this guide, you can mitigate any issues by including the following tips:
- Inform guests that they are ultimately responsible for any dietary restrictions
- Consider hiring a photographer for the rehearsal dinner, or have a trusted friend or family member at the ready
- Offer plenty of nonalcoholic beverages alongside the bar.
- Have a contingency plan for a safe place for children to play if they are invited to join (or just show up!)
- When the event is wrapping up, take the opportunity to make any announcements or reminders.
- As fun as the party is, don’t keep your guests out too late – everyone wants to be feeling their best for the big day!
