Rehearsal Dinner Alternatives

We did a "welcome dinner" which was really just more of a "get together" after dinner time, 730-130pm, with heavy hors d'ourves and drinks...and it was a blast!

We are in the same boat and honestly considering just hosting a small dinner or even ordering pizza and getting together at my grandparents house since it's close to our venue. We are such laid back people that I feel it would work and no one would care.

My MIL cooked everything and packed it in to go plates. After the rehearsal everyone picked up a plate and had the choice to stay and eat or take theirs to go. She did potato salad, green beans, baked chicken, and jambalaya and cake. She also bought cold drinks and made enough for about 30 people. There wasn’t 30 people there because some people couldn’t make the rehearsal because they had to work. It was very inexpensive for her.

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Oh my goodness, same. This whole wedding process I'm like "Let's do whatever is cheap, yet classy" haha. I am not one for spending a ton of money on minor things. I'd rather be laid back and comfortable trying to ease my nerves before the big day anyway!

I think a BBQ would be cute! As long as people are fed after the rehearsal, whatever you do is up to you!

Our friends did a very low-key pizza party at their house after the rehearsal. They rehearsed for about 20 minutes and then invited everyone to their house to hang out and have some pizza!

Tacos/taco bars are also a cheaper alternative. Maybe a family member could host you, or you could rent a cheap room at the local VFW or a park?

Or a brunch? I feel like breakfast food is cheaper than dinner. And who doesnt love brunch

We are just doing a back yard rehursal and dinner. We are having something brought in, but my sister just grilled burgers and brats and such and it was great! I'm planning on mine being pretty laid back/relaxed!

We are hoping to do bbq with soft drinks and spiked punch if the weather cooperates.

We are doing a “family dinner” at our place the night before. We are ordering food for the evening (we so don’t want to cook).

We couldn't afford, and didn't want a sit down rehearsal dinner. Our wedding is very elegant with a plated meal, and so we wanted to have more of a relaxing atmosphere. We booked the conference room at the hotel everyone is staying at, ordered BBQ from famous daves, and bought some wine and beer for everyone.

Rehearsal dinners can be very casual - some people do pizza and beer even. So long as you are providing food and drinks you are good.

Lots of great options mentioned... barbecue, pizza, etc.. I think even a homemade pasta bar would be a great option here. I'd say the only thing totally off-limits, as your already mentioned, would be having the rehearsal dinner at a restaurant and expecting people to pay for their meals.

All of the mentioned are a great idea imk including the barbecue! We have sort of a large party, we are opting for a “rehearsal lunch” at Olive Garden. It’s going to be significantly cheaper! Everyone will eat for under $10 not including the drinks of course.

We’re hosting ours at a pizza place/ bar that has a private room for us and use of a gorgeous deck. Pizza, veggie trays, hoagies and beer/wine

We are having our rehearsal the Wednesday night before. Besides everyone finding that odd, we haven't decided where to have the dinner or what to serve. Love the ideas here!! Thank you for having this post. We are also paying for everything. Everyone has to go to work Thursday morning. The reason for Wednesday night is our wedding is a very early morning service on Saturday with a brunch reception. Thursday will be DIY floral arranging with some of my out of town relatives. Friday we'll finish the flowers, go get my nails done, then Friday night I'm going to bed at 8pm. 😴

I love the idea of a pizza party! Or a barbecue/picnic at a park or in someone’s backyard. Honestly, people can probably sit on blankets so you don’t have to think about renting tables and chairs. How many are you thinking?

I was in a wedding a couple years ago with very young bride & groom. After the rehearsal, she told everyone they were going to this local hawaiian restaurant but it was casual. Everyone paid for themselves. I know it isn't proper etiquette, but it didn't bother me.

We’ve been struggling with this too. December makes a BBQ impossible and our house is TINY. Idk if we’re even going to bother

My cousin did a cookout like you mentioned. It was hamburgers & hot dogs with sides at a local park. We had a great time!

I know quite a few people who have done pizza, and my parents did pizza at theirs way back when. It doesn't have to be anything too flashy, and since all the people who will be there are your nearest and dearest they won't be judging your choices