Rehearsal Dinner Dilemma

You don't need to invite siblings and their families that are not in the wedding. You also don't have to include spouses of the bridal party, but I would as a nice gesture for standing up for you on your big day and spending money to do so.

I've learned that rehearsal dinners have started to expand to include other family who may not be in the wedding party... But we're only including our wedding party and parents. That will keep us around 15 people. We're talking about a dinner party at our home, in which case the number of people invited will matter less.

I also think it depends on people's relationships. If your bridal party is friends with one another, they probably won't miss their spouses. And hopefully the spouses can hang out while their loved ones are busy with dinner. If they don't know each other, however, this may be a good opportunity for them to warm up to one another.

I think it depends on if your wedding will be local...for me, I am including spouses of the bridal party as some people have to travel and I don't think its fair to expect them to travel and then sit in a hotel room the night before. If it is all local, I would say it is easier to keep it smaller.

Thanks ladies!! I agree that immediate family should be included..I only have one brother and we're close so it would feel weird to not have him there. I think FH doesn't want to burden his family with having to take off work early for the rehearsal, and then having to make 2 trips in the same weekend. I told him while it's nice he is concerned for them they deserve an invite and let them decide whether it's too much for them or not. Thanks again for your advice!

Depends on how close-knit the family is and how big. I had a lot of siblings and I felt like it was a burden on them, although I gave them the option of not attending. You do need to invite the spouses, unless all the friends know each other already.

You could just do gourmet pizza, Asian, or Mexican, Italian family style food too.

We havent set it in stone but I think that we will do bridal party (4 & 4) (only one is married) My brothers (3 1 SIL Niece-FG and Nephew-RB) His sister & Hubby All our parents (6) My aunt & cousin --shes helping out alot! My Cousin who is doing my hair 2 KIds & my other cousin whos daughter is another flower girl 4 kids. Grandparents (at least 7!) So we are looking at a ton... I havent even began to add it up... somewhere in the ball park of 40-50 ... Our budget is like $500 -- still dont know who is paying for it though!

I was thinking about this the other day. I thought we would be paying for the dinner and thought okay, wedding party and their spouses and of course my mom, dad and his mom but that was about it. Then the other day my mother-in-law said she would pay for it and that my FH's sisters, their spouses and kids would be going and I didn't know that all those people went to a rehearsal dinner but I guess you invite who you want to invite is what it boils down to.

Is there a place you could use besides your parents? Maybe a good friend's home or backyard or a local park? Then you could do something simple and inexpensive and be able to invite who you want. My inlaws did a fun pizza and pasta dinner for us as we both have big families.. you can see how she did it here: http://www.celebrationideasonline.com/Planning-a-wedding.html She made the centerpieces herself.. so cute and creative and easy to do. It was such a nice time and we were so happy to be able include everyone.

My FILs are paying for ours and it will be at a really nice expensive restaurant. I was wondering about who you invite as well what about out of town guest seems like you would invite them even if they arent in the party they did come all that way to see you. We have 12 in our bridal party not including us and and our boys. man if they all brought a date that would be 28 ppl right there. going to add up quick

Hello.

Congrats on your upcoming wedding!

There is no set Etiquette for a rehearsal dinner. Normally, if the wedding is quite elaborate the rehearsal dinner will be much less formal. It is all depending on your preference and you will not go wrong with whichever decision you make. On the contrary, you already have the stresses of your wedding day and this should be a stressless moment for you to enjoy with your family prior to your special day.

If his parents are deceased..which I am sorry to hear, than your parents are considered the head of your family and new life together and their home is the center at this time. You do not have to do a formal dinner and could possibly do a small cocktail affair to thank everyone for their participation and it is a more relaxed atmosphere and you can let them know you will be meeting for cocktails and appetizers at your parents. Another option is a simple BBQ, simply order something inexpensive or make something inexpensive like pasta.