Rehearsal Dinner Advice

We had escort cards for our rehearsal dinner, but that's b/c my MIL insisted we have a plated dinner and the servers needed to know what each person ordered.

I would not hand out favors to all of your guests...typically this is the time you hand out your gifts to your bridal party, parents, ring bearer, flower girls and any one else you purchased a gift for.

If you have a specific menu option for your guests, I would put out little menus with your napkins so they know what they can order or if they don't have an option, what they will be getting. - see pic below as a way to include your menu

Yes, toasts are usually given at the rehearsal dinner...typically the grooms parents will make a toast (as they are usually the ones who pay for the dinner) and the bride and groom make toasts.

Every rehearsal dinner I've been to at a restaurant was free seating, no name cards/favors etc. For ours we are doing pizza and pasta at our house so it'll just be like a family get together - no assigned seating or favors (although we are handing out our bridal party gifts that night, along with me giving FH his grooms cake so we have a dessert for rehearsal dinner)

@ Allison, thats what I was thinking. I didn't think assigned seating was necessary or favors for everyone. I will be giving our bridal party and parents their gifts that night along with my FH's grooms cake! Thanks ladies for making some clairifications!

It really depends on the formality of your wedding. Down here in Texas, many brides opt for a barbeque with open seating. The hosts of the rehearsal dinner would welcome everyone in attendance, give blessing, eat, and celebrate.

I agree with Cydney, favors aren't necessary.

@ Allison - That's what I'm used to. A get together for family and inlaws to interact at the couple's home.

Every rehearsal I have been to has been sit where ever except the one where I was The MOH and was told i had to sit next to the bride...and favors aren't necessary since you are most likely giving favors at the wedding

It really depends on how formal you want to be with the dinner. For ours we went on the formal side so DH and I did place cards (first names only) displayed on little pewter chairs (which was the non edible favor). We also gave each guest buttermints in personalized mint tins that matched the rest of the stationary. Both the chairs and mints were pocketed by the guests before we even got to the main course so I think it's safe to say they were a hit We also did tea length menu cards (we did a restaurant week style presentation) and DH and I gave a toast to welcome the guests and thank my mom for hosting. We also gave out the parents gifts at this dinner.