Rehearsal dinner cookout? Hmm...

That's what we are doing but will only have about 20 people there, if that.

My SIL had a big cookout as a rehersal/family meet up and it was great we had alot of fun and it saved her a bundle....lol we were up day and night for 3 days preparing food but it was all worth it at the end

I say have your cookout. It will be in a more personal setting versus at a restaurant. My rd is cookout, which is going to be hosted by my big brother. So let your hair down and have as much fun as you possibly can. Good luck!!

I think your idea for the rehearsal dinner sounds perfect! We are doing a more casual/laid back even for the RD as well. We are considering either BBQing ourselves or having a BBQ place cater...we are even considering getting pizzas from our favorite place.

Do it! Girl that sounds like so much fun.

This is what we are doing. It is a great idea. Our families are laid back and a cookout after the rehearsal seemed like the best idea so everyone can relax have fun and just take in the night.

We are planning on a BBQ at my parents house for our rehearsal dinner!

Sounds awesome and relaxing.... I especially like the jelly shot idea

I'm doing the same thing and I'm so excited for it! The bill difference, the relaxation, and the whole feel of it as a great day before festivity!

We want to do this too but my parents have an issues with how far away my future in-laws house is who will be hosting it. Still might do it anyway!

I think that's a great idea for a rehearsal dinner. We are thinking of doing something similar

That sounds fun!

My parents are doing this for ours! I think it's fine! I don't really get the point of over the top, big expensive rehearsal dinners.

I think it sounds like fun. Maybe compromise and have your brothers grill the meats, but order the sides from a bbq restaurant or deli to keep from adding too much work for your family so close to your wedding.

I definitely read the title as "Rehearsal dinner cookout? Ham..." and was wondering if you had some special way you grill ham...

As for a cookout/BBQ - I think it's a great idea. 12 years ago for my sister's wedding we had a BBQ trailer come to her ILs house and grill for everyone - it was amazing food, way cheaper than a restaurant, we could provide the booze for the party at their house saving even more money, and invite all of the out of town guests to come join in.

This sounds like a good idea. However, 40 people is a lot. The weddings I've been in, it's just been the BP, parents, and grandparents at the rehearsal dinner.

FWIW - you may not want to have your family work, or have to worry about hosting the dinner the day before your wedding. Just from my experience

Totally fine! It's awesome to relax with something casual the night before. As long as everyone is properly hosted with delicious food and some beer/wine/jello shots, go for it!

@futurelivi that's all we have, lol, but since we both have divorced parents (8 people) and bridal party and their SOs (20 people) and my/FH siblings (another 10, they are staying at the house so it'd be rude to kick them out lol) we easily hit about 40.

I don't think it's tacky. I'm doing the same thing. We're getting married at a ranch and have rented it for the whole weekend so we're doing the rehearsal there and cooking out.