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033118
Super March 2018

Rehearsal Dinner Cost

033118, on July 12, 2017 at 11:51 PM Posted in Planning 0 50

How much are you budgeting for your rehearsal dinner (those of you who are paying for it yourself)? Or what % of your budget? My fiancé and I were just extrapolating costs, looks like we are at about $1000 out the door. Is that insane compared to everyone else? Smaller group- 18 people.

50 Comments

Latest activity by MONICA, on February 11, 2021 at 3:04 PM
  • Charda
    Expert August 2017
    Charda ·
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    We decided to do a rehearsal brunch for all $200

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  • A
    Beginner July 2017
    Andrea ·
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    Well, I'm actually making reservations at a restaurant, and everyone pays for their own food

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  • NewlyMrsLachney
    Master September 2017
    NewlyMrsLachney ·
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    @Andrea, the rehearsal dinner is a thank you to those participating in the wedding and rehearsing. You shouldn't have them pay for their own dinners...

    We're doing a salad, pizza, and cookie buffet at a local market/restaurant hybrid. It will be about $700 out the door not including whatever alcohol is consumed that night.

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  • 033118
    Super March 2018
    033118 ·
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    Thank you FutureMrsLachney! I think we are about on point, my number includes tax, tip, and a generous booze allowance Smiley smile

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  • Kate
    Expert August 2017
    Kate ·
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    We are having catered food for 20 at my parents house, which will be about $400. Plus beverages that we will provide- probably 500-600

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  • fallinthegarden
    Master October 2017
    fallinthegarden ·
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    That seems about proportionally right for ours.

    Also, gross @Andrea

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  • LuckyAK
    VIP March 2018
    LuckyAK ·
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    I am budgeting 1200 but i worked in a restaurant for 5 years so I usually leave a crazy inappropriately large tip (lol). I think tip included we will probably come in around 900-1000. I just like to over budget for my own sanity- other wise I stress out during the actual event.

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  • LuckyAK
    VIP March 2018
    LuckyAK ·
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    Rehearsal dinner is a THANK YOU to guests who are part of your wedding! Having them pay is really inconsiderate.

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  • Ms.Fox
    VIP May 2018
    Ms.Fox ·
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    @andrea, how about no. You don't invite people to a rehearsal dinner only to have them pay....no where in any circle is that acceptable.

    Who is liking that comment!??

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  • Loganne
    Devoted October 2017
    Loganne ·
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    We're going to have a local BBQ place cater for 45 (oot guests included), rent tables and chairs, provide beer, wine etc, and pie for dessert in my FIL's backyard for about $500

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  • Rachel DellaPorte
    Rachel DellaPorte ·
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    Andrea -- nice. You'll make the reservations (at the restaurant of your choice and price point), and your honor attendants will pay your bill. Wow.

    Rehearsal Dinners are not an evening out for the people who want to be handed a bill for their drinks/meals at the end of the evening. That's called discretionary spending. A Rehearsal Dinner falls under the category of "hosted dinner". Period. Frankly, if it were up to your honor attendants, they'd probably prefer to drive home and get an early night for the big day ahead of them instead of driving to your venue, rehearsing the simple task of walking on cue, and then attending, and paying for a dinner, that's supposed to honor them. Asking them to pay to attend their own thank you dinner is nothing less than atrocious. This is not okay -- it's the rudest thing a couple could do. Wow.

    OP, you don't need a Rehearsal Dinner. I've been setting up at countless reception venues as the venue coordinator or DOC takes all of six minutes (and that's usually because there are small kids in the wedding party that interrupt his/her train of thought) to explain the cues. Every wedding came off beautifully. The RD is more of a cultural wedding element than a necessity, so if you can't swing it, don't host one. I promise you, the wedding ceremony will go off flawlessly. You do realize that you go the pizza/beer/wine route, right? Very casual, relaxed, and far less expensive than Andrea's idea of making restaurant reservations. You can have it in the back room of an inexpensive Italian place, Olive Garden, or in a private home -- and no, you don't have to invite every OOT guest who's attending the wedding. It should be your immediate family, your spouse's immediate family (and inviting living grandparents is a nice gesture), and every honor attendant and the SOs and parents. You can do this for far less than you think.

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  • LuckyAK
    VIP March 2018
    LuckyAK ·
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    Seriously andrea's post is really bothering me! I'd be so hurt if I got handed a bill after a rehearsal dinner after I spent time and emotional energy being in a wedding!!! People will talk about that for a long time and not for the right reasons! A friend of mine was handed a check after a farewell brunch the day after and even that is super rude to me, they had no idea they'd be paying for themselves. At least the brunch wasn't mandatory attendance, as rude as it was. Rehearsal dinner is something your BP has to go to! And they have to pay for it?!!! Woof!

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  • sheena
    Savvy September 2018
    sheena ·
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    Im renting a hall for 3 hours for $175 total and getting it catered for about 15.95 pp. And we can provide alcohol. Im hosting a lot of people out of town. So its a combo welcome party and rehersal dinner. Its so much cheaper than a restaurant.

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  • Emily
    Expert February 2018
    Emily ·
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    @andrea your guests are going to be shocked when you ask the waiter to split the check. That is so unbelievably rude.

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  • TarHeel729
    Expert July 2017
    TarHeel729 ·
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    We are hosting our rehearsal dinner at pizza restaurant that has interesting pie toppings and a lovely ambiance. It's costing us $600 for food for 24 people plus whatever alcohol they consume. Our budget is a $1000.

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  • kirackle
    Super September 2017
    kirackle ·
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    How does Andrea's terribly rude plan to make her honor attendants pay for their own dinner have 4 stars right now?

    It would be better to not have a dinner at all if you are not actually hosting anything.

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  • Kelly
    Super September 2017
    Kelly ·
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    Ours is costing around $1200 for 40 people at a pub close to the hotel.

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  • Rachel DellaPorte
    Rachel DellaPorte ·
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    Apparently, there are three/four other people who have opted to, incognito, support their own demands that require their honor attendants to finance a celebration for the couple the day prior to their weddings (because having every eye on them during a six hour wedding -- the next day -- just isn't enough), instead of choosing to celebrate and thank their attendants...which, as the majority of us realize, is the purpose of the rehearsal dinner.

    It's still dead wrong.

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  • Kyle
    Devoted August 2017
    Kyle ·
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    I'm looking at a nearby BBQ restaurant that would be $12.50/person for platter with drink. Will cost between $350-400 total.

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  • A
    Beginner July 2017
    Andrea ·
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    To everyone who feels like I'm rude.....i appreciate your silly comments. You plan your wedding the way you want. And I'll do the same. I've done something for my people who are in the wedding, and that's my decision. That was an idea from my wedding that I posted, but I didn't post it to be attacked by you guys or even judged. So have a good day, and I pray that your weddings are a success

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