Not having a rehearsal dinner?

We didn't have a rehearsal, so we didn't have a rehearsal dinner. BUT we did have a slumber party in a hotel and we brought food for everyone.

But I agree with Erin - if you have a rehearsal, feeing them is courteous.

We are doing a VERY casual rd due to budget and just personal preference also. We were able to select 3-4 items from a local bar/cafe's menu and use their private party room for less than $350 including soda, shared appetizers choice of entree and gratuity for 15 people. No room fee. Alcohol isn't provided however but our bridal party won't care about this at all.

It dont have to be fancy. Maybe u could do something at your home. U can order pizza, chicken or do a bbq.

Our was not mandatory. We did have a rehearsal during lunch hour and we informed everyone that if they wished they could join us for lunch at a local sub place but that it was not mandatory for monetary reasons. But DH did buy sides for all the tables, we had about 20-25 people. This way even people who were not in the wedding party could spend time with us.

We're hosting our rehearsal dinner in the fellowship hall of the church where the ceremony will be. We are preparing all of the food (chicken, pot roast and meatloaf with several sides) beverages (tea, coffee, water, soda) and desserts (cakes, pies and pastries) Our budge is $500 for about 50 people.

If you have a rehearsal, be gracious hosts and provide food. Pizza, sandwiches, vegetable platters, etc. are good choices. You don't have to spend a ton of money.

The way to avoid having to have a rehearsal dinner is not to have a rehearsal. Your officiant can still give people last-minute instructions just before you start walking. And I suspect your bridal party can remember how to put one foot in front of the other without a rehearsal.

I never thought about not having a rehearsal. I always thought it was necessary. Our venue charges $750 to rent the manor for a rehearsal dinner, and that does not include the catering.

Wow, 750$ I would have not had one if they charged us that. Our rehearsal was part of the package so we just went for it.

Yikes, $750! Can you have the rehearsal without that crazy cost and then either host at a restaurant ( you choose a select menu, dont include alcohol bev.) or host at someone's house and do a cook-out of pizzas.

We are having a rehearsal and then hosting at a mexican restaurant but their plates are huge and no more than 8 dollars a plate, we will provide non alcohol bev. so I estimated under $500 easily for about 30 people

We aren't having a rehearsal dinner as their is a optional event going on at that time that most of the guests attending the wedding are going to. Its the flipping of x-mas lights on in a small town near the lodge where everyone is staying ...they have sleigh rides, santa, vendors for snacks, and fireworks. People can come and go as fits their family.

You don't have to have an expensive rehearsal dinner at your venue. As others have said, you can order pizzas and have it at someone's house. It doesn't have to be fancy but if your wedding party is taking the time to attend a rehearsal for your wedding, you should feed them after.

The issue is that our venue is about 45 minutes from home. So that isn't a very feasible option.

Then I guess you have to figure out something that works. There are lots of pizza parlors or sub places that are far less than a fancy restaurant and I'm sure there is one near your venue. You chose to have a large wedding party and this is one the expenses associated with a wedding party.

We are hosting a bbq at our house after the rehearsal. Parents, bridal party, our band and officiant will all be there

Ours is included whether you use it or not.

Yes Emily, I am aware that there are more costs associated with larger wedding parties. I understand that. I just don't know the expectations of a rehearsal dinner. I have never had a wedding before, that's why I'm asking before making a faux pas.

Jewish weddings traditionally don't hold rehearsals, and seem to have no more flubs than any other weddings. A rehearsal is definitely not necessary!

Great post with insightful responses - still far from this but something I always think about having to do down the road. I like what 2d Bride said! I would think the wedding party can get last minute instructions. Everyone knows how to walk. Our venue offers us 1 free hour the week of the wedding to do a rehearsal. In their preferred vendor booklet they printed off a handful of restaurants in the area to have a rehearsal dinner. IF I take advantage of the 1 hour rehearsal and IF I can actually get everybody together on a mutually agreed upon time, I can't see how I will have money in our budget by that time (a week before the wedding??!!), so its good to know that a lot of people think it is acceptable to have pizza - which means for us, we will probably just have a gathering at our house after the rehearsal. I might whip up some appetizers have beer and wine. I had to whip up apps in a short period of time when I was elected, and gladly accepted to host a New Years Eve for 4 other couples and us 2. I went shopping and grabbed everything I needed after work, went home and cooked up the easiest yummiest apps for a New Years Eve celebration. I think I can manage that the week of my wedding.

Follow up to my post: I see that you wrote the venue is 45 minutes from your house. Anybody closer you could have it at their house? Actually, my MOH's house is closer to the venuer than my house ... I may consider asking her to do a gathering at her house instead. She would be perfectly fine with that. We are like sisters. She has mentioned wanting to have a bridal shower at her house. (She has a big, nice house with a yard and deck for entertaining) She entertains a LOT. Just wanted to be polite not write away w/out actually reading the posts here. I don't think a rehearsal is even necessary.

My brother's venue didn't let people have rehearsals there so they had it at someones house and it worked out fine. I think if you have a rehearsal it would be really rude not to feed them. As others said you don't have to go to a restaurant if that isn't in the budget but some pizza or subs would be awesome.