Do you have to have a rehearsal dinner?

It's not "required" but I see it as doing something for your wedding party as a "thank you" for participating and being a part of my wedding and taking time away from their own lives to celebrate yours. You can do anything from pizza/subs to a sit down meal. Doesn't have to be fancy.

Yes, we are doing it at FH's favorite sushi restaurant.

If you have a rehearsal, you need to feed people. However, you need to feed only those who rehearse, and it could be a lunch instead of a dinner. Alternatively, you could skip the rehearsal, in which case you wouldn't need a rehearsal meal. Most people can figure out how to walk from the back of your ceremony venue to the front without tripping over their own feet. Your officiant can give them last-minute instructions on the order to go in and where to stand just before you start.

We are having a rehearsal with just the bridal parties and parents. I personally wanted something simple like a potluck for afterwards but I put it in my FMIL's hand and now we're having a full family style Italian meal with wine at a restaurant and any out of town guests that happen to arrive a few days early (wedding is Sat but rehearsal is Thurs).

So, I'd have been fine with simple. And I think that's ok to do simple or big or nothing at all. Either way, do what works for you.

While a rehearsal dinner is not required, I think it is nice to do something. We had one. A locally owned pizza place has a banquet room that we were able to rent. They set-up a pizza and pasta buffet. The cost was $150 for the room plus $8/person for the buffet. We were planning on opening a tab at their bar, but the lost their liquor license a week earlier which we found out about 45 minutes before the dinner! They did allow us to BYOB so my dad and brother stopped at the liquor store and bought a bunch of beer for us.

We're not sure yet, but if we do it'll be very informal. We're having a very small wedding, with the wedding party consisting of 1 bridesmaid and 1 bestman. We will be having a rehearsal though, so we may end up having a BBQ for both families, in my father's backyard. He has a pool

We're not. We might have an informal dinner though. My FH family won't be in town till the day of.

Nope, we are not having one. The parents can feed themselves, and our bridal party will eat with us that night since we are having our bachelor/bachelorette parties that night.

We are not having one. We are doing quiet a bit of DIY and just won't have time. Our family and bridal party were actually relieved to not have to attend a dinner that night. After rehearsing everyone is free to do what they want or need to do. Some may have last minute things to get ready or personal things to do. Some may decide to head somewhere together or some may order pizza at the folk's house.

Took a bunch of pressure off our shoulders - not to mention the ding in the budget it would have made.

We're having one.

It's not a requirement, but I've never been in a wedding where there wasn't one.

What about doing something catered? You could probably find a nice house and have it catered for about $10/person.

We plan to have one at a restaurant (FH request). And his parents are paying. But I also like the idea of house or rent meeting room at the hotel, buy pizza, drinks etc. and give people time to hang out together.

We're not having one, but our walk-thru is the morning of the wedding. (A couple of our BP won't be arriving until late the night before). We're not doing anything difficult as far as procession/recession so it will be a quick run-through then off for light brunch then hair and makeup

Most weddings I've been in has been pizza and hanging out after the rehersal. Easy and fun!

We are having a BBQ/Bon fire/ pool party after at our mother in laws so everyone's kids can come and it's just really relaxed

Yeah... kinda. If you have a rehearsal, you should have a dinner. Have everyone over for pizza or tell people you're all going bowling after. If family, and friends are going out of their way to rehearse your big day the least you can do is give them some food. It doesn't have to be fancy. But it should be something.

We may not have one we don't really see any need

We didn't have a rehearsal. Everyone had previously been married, or in a wedding, and we were confident of their ability to walk. But we had everyone over to our house for a cookout and games and stuff just to spend time with everyone and thank them and give out their gifts.

We're not having a formal rehersal. Since we're getting married outdoors, we're just going to mark the comperable space in my backyard and figure out the timing with the music. After, our parents and siblings are also joining us and I'm making homemade pizzas and ice cream (a summer favorite among our friends and family and something I am always being asked to make). It's so everyone can relax and just chill out with some good food, laughs, and a fire pit

Its your wedding so you dont have to but its the thank you meal to all your people in your wedding party for their support through the whole wedding process.

I am having one im either doing a barbecue or pizza and pasta

I understand its a thank you. But no one has helped with anything.lol