Do dates attend the ceremony rehearsal?

No I wouldn't think so. it should just be for those in the wedding or those who have a part of the wedding in some way, ushers parents etc. the dates can wait outside.

I think if they are coming from out of town, its important to invite them--b/c what else are they going to do? If they are in town, though, its nice but not necessary.

Yes, i was invited to acouple and i was a date. I'm also invited to one in july that my fiance is in the wedding. We are inviting the bridal party's date to rehersal also.

Not typically, but it's not terrible if they are invited to the ceremony rehearsal. Specifically if their dates in the wedding party are their ride. The rehearsal is NOTHING like the actual thing, so don't feel like you're spoiling the surprise

That's what I was thinking! They would have plenty to do during the 30 minutes as all our our OOT guests will be mingling by the fire. I'd prefer they not attend but wasn't sure if they would expect to do so.

They will just sit in the pews at the church until its over, then.... Partayyyyy time~!

I'm saying no to dates. It's for your bridal party to bond a little and for intimate family speeches, etc. I don't know some of the dates of the groomsmen so I don't want to share that special, intimate dinner with them... selfish maybe but oh well! I'd say let them mingle with the out of towners.

To be clear they are all invited to the dinner. It is a welcome party with all out of town guests and our venue is a campground so the rehearsal is just a short walk up the hill.

If they wanted to come to the actual rehearsal I wouldn't get upset over it, was just wondering if I had to invite them to it. Thanks for the opinions everyone!

Ours did because everyone was from OOT. They didn't have anywhere else to be.

Yes, we're inviting all of our BP with their dates, if they have one. Be it spouses or SOs. None of our TRULY single BP are bringing a random date, so it's not an issue for us, but I don't think I'd invite someone I didn't know to the rehearsal/rehearsal dinner unless they were coming in from out of town.

Sounds like you'll all be in the same area and they will have something to do - I don't think it's necessary...maybe just let them know they are welcome to attend if they want, otherwise they can hang out at the party.

None of our WP dates showed up to the rehearsal itself.

We had the BP's dates at the rehearsal, because we were going to ride together to the RD anyway. Most of them found a seat and talked amongst themselves, one or two went to the hotel bar across the hall. I really wouldn't worry about it - let the BP know, and they'll pass the info along to their dates, who will decide for themselves.

WP dates did come to our rehearsal mainly because everyone drove together and everyone was going to the rehearsal dinner venue right after. Some were actually helpful because they stood in for others who ended up getting their later than expected.

It's really not a big deal either way. It's really not an environment conducive to bonding, in my opinion, because our day of coordinator needed to be sure everyone knew what was supposed to happen, so there wasn't a whole lot of time to stand around and chat.

Most of the bonding happened at the dinner because everyone has drinks and app's in a bar area before we all sat down to dinner. People then chatted at their tables.

I am inviting dates/spouses to the rehearsal dinner, but if they want to come to the rehearsal, they are welcome to. Most people in our bridal party live at least 20-30 minutes away from the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner locations.

We are inviting dates to the dinner because there wont be anything for them to do. Such as one of my BM Bfs, he doesnt know many people, but hes obviously invited. I am doing this so he can get to know some of the other guys and it wont be so awkward at the wedding when his Gf is up with me and taking pictures.

So in other words, its not a requirement, but its a nice gesture.

Yes, I think it's nice to include them! They may not come to the rehearsal but should be invited/come to the dinner.

We let dates be invited to the rehearsal as well as the dinner as they were in the same place.

Only one of DH's groomsmen's wife was actually at the rehearsal. That's because they just had driven into town and straight to the rehearsal. We were in the church, so it was no big deal. Same with the parents of our ring bearer and flower girls. It was nice to have a bit of an audience.

But for all these extra people that you invite to the dinner, don't you have to pay for their meals and drinks? That could be an extra $25-50/pp!