Is anyone having a more casual rehearsal dinner?

We had rented a big house for all our guests for the night before the wedding and the wedding night. We just called up the local pizza place and had them deliver a bunch of pizzas for everyone there. It was fun and relaxed, and even the two dogs got to attend.

We are going to rent a big room at a hotel and just game/have pizza. It'll be fun.

We're doing a nice back yard bbq a my FIL's place its about 5 miles from the church, in the country, so its perfect for a nice relaxed evening the night before

God I would LOVE to, and even suggested it, but I don't think FH's family (who is paying for it) is going to allow me to.

How about taking them to a Chinese Restaurant..PF Changs is great...order several dishes, and do a "Buffet" style.

Yep!!! We will be at the church, so maybe deli trays, chicken, salad, really really simple.

*shrugs* We went to Hooters after the rehearsal for my friend's wedding. It was a good time. Everyone had fun, and that's all we cared about.

Hey there - Jillian - absolutely ok! FH and I are going to rent a room at the church so we can simply walk over after the rehearsal...we are going to cater in some bbq, a few sides, and some soda/water/tea...we are only having it for the wedding party, their spouse or significant other and parents/grandparents. Always go with what works for YOU and YOUR BUDGET. If anybody dares to judge, that's there issue, not yours! Have a fabulous day and don't sweat the small stuff! Congratulations!

My fave was an appetizer party at a cool pool hall. It was great!

Ours is at a destination and FMIL is insisting on going to a restaurant. It will prob be some little place up north and just a little food and drinks to unwind before the big day.

Rehearsal Dinners are truly what you (or the person hosting) wants them to be. No right, nor wrong.

I think the key is to simply have fun and provide some food and beverages, whatever those may be.

As a side note, my daughters MIL, at the RD, paid for everyones dinner and drinks at a Mexican Restaurant overlooking the Columbia Dinner. Well, drinks for everyone except my ex, his wife, my sister and me. She also seated us at a separate table, everyone else was at one large table. Hmm, do you think she didn't like us? LOL! Oh well, we had fun, just the four of us.

I think ours was casual. We orginally planned something a bit more formal but it ended up not being in the budget but I figured that since the wedding was going to be a formal sit down, it might be nice to just have a more casual and relaxed RD.

We ended up renting a private room at TGI Fridays. We had about 10 people I think and it was awesome. My MIL ordered some platters of food and we just had a good time.

We are have a rehearsal brunch at a local pizza restaurant....it's a decent casual vibe for an afternoon rehearsal. I like the casual side to this event because our wedding is on the formal side, it is nice to have both. Our rehearsal will be right after.

It is sort of a running tradition in my family that the rehearsal dinner has been turned into a backyard BBQ. For the last 3 or 4 weddings (cousins, aunts), we have all gathered at my grandmother's house for grilled chicken, burgers, outdoor games, and a few drinks after the rehearsal. It is really a money saver and allows your OT guests and BP to relax and have fun the night before the wedding. We also plan some time during this for a lingerie party too.

My FH and I are sticking to this tradition, but moving the party to my sister's backyard, because it is 2 miles from t he venue.

We had subway cater ours. We all met out on the outdoor patio terrace and mingled and ate, then the men went and hung out, while the ladies help decorate the reception venue, then we hit the hot tub and had drinks, it was a casual fun evening. DH and I spent the night apart and didn't see each other until the walk down the aisle.

Rehearsal dinner for my first wedding was really laid back. Outdoor pool party with sandwiches, etc. It was a blast! Our wedding was a sit down dinner & open bar which was pretty expensive per person.

This time we are having an upscale rehearsal dinner with a brunch buffet reception wedding.

You - or whomever is hosting - should have whatever you want.

Church hall- free

sloppy joes- we raise cattle and process our own beef, so free

soda- $18

chips- $15

knowing it's gonna be a breeze, fun and laid back..... priceless!!!

We are going super laid back and simple, why stress over the day before dinner??? I'm not gonna, just gonna kick my feet up and eat some good home made food.....

We also plan to do something like this but haven't decided what yet. We were thinking maybe going to a nearby bar and picking up the tab

We also had a casual RD. Many of our WP members were coming straight from the airport, there was no time to suss up for a fancy dinner. So we booked the party room at Portillos with a big buffet meal of italian beef, mostaccioli, hot dogs, that kind of thing, and covered drinks as well. We were also paying for our wedding so cost was a concern. We covered all the food and drinks that 30 people plus 4 kids could consume for around $900.

I think as long as you're hosting, you should be able to host what you want and what you can afford.

Truthfully, I've been to some RDs that were like mini weddings. I totally do not think that is necessary, but that's just me. Anyway, as a WP member I'd rather be low-key the night before.

Yes the plan is for ours to be very causual...pizza, salad, and breadsticks.