Faux Pas or Nah: Not inviting all out-of-town guests to your rehearsal dinner?

This one I'm surprised to see comments on! Until very recently I didnt even know not inviting oot guests to rehearsal was even a thing! Rehearsal dinner is just that isnt it, rehearsal? So bridal party, parents and anyone else in the wedding. Significant others I understand having there, but outside of that, I don't think anyone else should be there. Its rehearsal and a chance to thank your bridal party and parents for all they've done for you.

No, I only plan to invite the wedding party + their dates, and our parents. I never even considered inviting anybody else.

Am I the only one who doesn't care about the rehearsal dinner . . . like AT ALL?

we legitimately considered just ordering a few pizzas, but ended up booking a private room at a restaurant because people made us feel like we had to make a big deal out of it.

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That sounds lovely, Chyanne, one last night with your loved ones. How many people are in your wedding party?

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I think rehearsal dinners, at least from what I'm seeing here in the community, are turning into a more casual affair. There are a few people who are ordering pizzas after the rehearsal. I think having a rehearsal picnic at a park would be lovely, especially if there was pizza involved.

3 bridesmaids, 3 groomsmen, flower girl and ring bearer

View Quoted Comment 3 bridesmaids, 3 groomsmen, a flower girl and a ring bearer (if this pregnancy results in a boy)

This is my thing with inviting OOT guests. I've been an OOT guest to almost every wedding I've been to recently (more than a dozen) and I've never arrived a full day early. Like, that would mean an extra night in the hotel..... I usually plan to drive/fly in in the morning of the wedding, check into the hotel, and then go over to the wedding. Are all of these people getting to the wedding super early for some reason?!

Nah! Most of the people invited are from out of town. Instead were thinking of doing a rehearsal with extended family (since the actually wedding rehearsal will be taking place on another day entirely) but since most of the other out of town guest are friends were renting some space at a bar and having a "Help us rehearse drinking!' meet up

I think rehearsal dinners can get so out of hand! I did not invite all out of town guests. They could have always declined the wedding invitation if they didn't want to travel. I did however make an effort to spend time with who I could while they were in town. I grabbed a quick lunch with a few OOT guests the day before the wedding even though I was super busy, because I thought it was important to give them a little one-on-one attention since they were traveling for me.

I really don't think it's necessary to have a big, elaborate rehearsal dinner. It is just too much when you have a whole wedding. We were lucky enough to have great weather, so we did a picnic-style pizza/salad meal at the park, then went to a local bar. We invited our parents, WP and their dates, and the officiant and his wife. The only "extra" guests were our friend who played the processional for us (but he was also included in the rehearsal), our friend who helped tremendously with DIY projects (and general support), and a third who was just an incredible friend the whole time.

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We did order pizzas then go out for beers! I actually really did care about the RD even though it was super casual, only because it was nice to have some time with the WP in a smaller setting. It was so fun and laid back!

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I can see people wanting to make a weekend away out of some weddings, but I've always been to the rehearsal dinners of the weddings I've gone to. I wonder if that's because part of my family was part of the wedding party or if it was because I was OOT. Hmm

Nah! We have quiet a few *ahem* out of town guests and as much as we love them, it would be too much.

The only people we will have at the rehearsal and dinner will be bridal party members, immediate family, and/or anyone who will be at the actual rehearsal.

I thought rehearsal dinner was for bridal party because you rehearse. If OOT are rehearsing then they should go but otherwise no.

I am having a lot of out of town/country guest, which are 95% close family members they will be invited to the rehearsal dinner, but it will be NOTHING like the wedding. It’s going to be very causal and a way for us to spend some family QT before the BIG day. An added bonus is everyone can give their long winded speeches before the reception. More time to party at the reception.

Definite Nah!

Everyone, including us, will be from out of town so we will only be inviting bridal party and parents to the rehearsal dinner. We would like to do a welcome meet up beforehand though for everyone. Still mulling on ideas that won't cost us a small fortune.

Faux pas. I've only attended one OOT wedding, and it was really nice that we were invited to the rehearsal dinner.

Nah. The rehearsal dinner is just to make sure the people involved in the wedding dont get hangry during the rehearsal. Almost every wedding I've been to I was an OOT guest and have never been invited to (or desired to go to) the rehearsal dinner. Its nice to have that first night to just relax, get everything ready in the hotel to get dressed the next day and find a nice quiet, low key place to eat.

I have always appreciated welcome bags with restaurant suggestions though so I didnt have to guess where might be good to go to eat.

I don't think so. I would hate to have out of town guests try to make their way for a rehearsal. It's a waste. Like my fiance and I had an engagement party and only invited a couple of family members from CA which is like a 5 hour drive but my mom was the only that came. We figured as much but things happen. All in all I would definitely wait to invite all out of towners for the big day.

I have always been under the impression that the rehearsal dinner was for the people who are IN the wedding... NOT everyone who is attending the wedding. That being said, not a faux pas.