Is anyone else NOT doing a rehearsal dinner?

We are...but we are probably just going to do crabs in a backyard...I don't really want to eat at the restaurant attached to our venue (since they're the one catering), and we definitly want it to be casual and comfortable.

BUT I think if you do go out to eat, you should make it casual like "we hope you can join us, but don't feel obligated" or whatever

I'm kind of thinking of just not doing a rehearsal dinner... I made of list of the people and we have 34! Our wedding party is 12 people, plus FG and RB... My parents, his parents, families of those in wedding party, and my grandparents. Blah... The ladies with smaller wedding parties, I am kinda jealous!

We considered just going out to eat as well and having everybody pay their own bill after we practice at the church, but then we realized we could just have a cookout at my parents house. It would only be about 20-30 people since the only people needed at the rehearsal are the people in the wedding and then we will have FH's family there since they will be from out of town. So we just have to buy some burgers and hotdogs and make some sides which I am sure my family will be more than happy to help with. It will be a good opportunity for the bridal party to hang out because a lot of them haven't even met eachother.

We are! the FIL's offered (insisted) that they wanted to take care of the dinner. So, we will have the bridal party, family and close OOT guests. They are planning it--so I have no idea where it will be yet. Just going with the flow and will show up wherever they choose!

We were not going to have a rehearsal dinner at first, because we simply couldn't afford it. I decided to still have one, but we will have a dinner at my mother's house and I will do all of the cooking and present everyone with their gifts at that point.

We're having a welcome breakfast and it's soooooooooooooo cheap :-)

No rehearsal and no rehearsal dinner for us...

We are feeding ( and giving beer to) our wedding party while they help us set up Friday night. No use having a party before the party.

@ Alec, you and your partner are adorably.

Nope no dinner we are paying for everything ourselves and the ceremony isn't complicated.

We didn't have a rehearsal dinner. Instead we had a catered lunch for the bridal party on the wedding day. I think that went over well.

No rehearsal so no dinner, however my 45 OOT guests will be at my parents and we will probably cater pizza, salads and hoagies.

We're not doing one either

Thank you everyone! I like the idea of doing a backyard BBQ or something more casual and cheap. We have a large wedding party and a lot of out of town family so it would be really expensive to foot the bill.

@Alec- I am soooo jealous that you are getting married in NH! That is where I am from and that is where all my family is coming from. I would get married there if I could but I am in Arizona now so it is way to far to have people travel. I'm sure it will be beautiful

Thank you everyone! I like the idea of doing a backyard BBQ or something more casual and cheap. We have a large wedding party and a lot of out of town family so it would be really expensive to foot the bill.

@Alec- I am soooo jealous that you are getting married in NH! That is where I am from and that is where all my family is coming from. I would get married there if I could but I am in Arizona now so it is way to far to have people travel. I'm sure it will be beautiful

I am not doing a dinner but we are all going do a run thru of what is expected on the day of and then we are off to go bowling and pizza

We didn't have one. But our bachellor/bachellorette parties started immediately after rehearsal.

We are having a dw so I feel like we owe it to our guests to provide them with dinner. It will probably be very casual like pizza or grilling burgers. Some of our guests have suggested we go to a luau that night as a group so that is a possibility too. I guess my rambling point is that it doesn't have to be elaborate but it would be nice to have everyone together for a little fun and a thank you for being a part of your day.

We are having rehearsal dinner at FMIL' house. Pizza, beer, wine - good friends and family! It does not have to be expensive

My venue does not allow rehearsal dinners, but I really want one! We are doing very contemporary processionals and I want to make sure the timing is all figured out.

I am thinking of having it at my Uncle's church (not where we will actually get married).

Is that ok to have it somewhere else? What do you guys' think?

For the food I am thinking about making like 1-2, maybe 3 homemade lasagnas (FH's favorite) and garlic bread and salad, and just doing that. Everyone will get plenty to eat and it would be way cheaper than going out.

If you do decide to go out to dinner, I think it would be appropriate to pay for something. Like say "we will order everyone this (like if the restaurant has a family size something, order 5 or whatever of that), but if you want anything else or drinks you have to pay that yourself." I think going out to dinner and making everyone pay for everything themselves is kind of cheap. But, traditionally the inlaws are supposed to pay for it...

It is not proper etiquette to ask guest to pay for their own meal. You can financial figure something out I suggest you go for it. As previously mentioned this is the opportunity to thank all that will play a part in your special day. Just like many, I plan to have a pizza party with games and drinks n the hotel rooms if renting a small room and bringing in the pizza is too pricey. I figure it was simple, budget friendly and not formal. Think simple. A little can go a long way.