Rehearsal dinner or After party?

What would be the point of a rehearsal if the wedding party cannot be there to rehearse?

PP I would think so OOT family can still have the rehearsal dinner? I could be wrong

Almost no one needs a rehearsal. If you don't have a rehearsal, you don't need a rehearsal dinner.

You could take the wedding party out to dinner after the reception. Or, are you trying to avoid the expense associated with that by starting the after party at 7 or 8?

A rehearsal dinner on a Thursday for a Saturday wedding sounds silly to me. I also don't think having an after party at night when the reception ends at 3 is a good idea, everyone will be beat by the time the after party starts. Just have the after party right after the reception if you want to have one.

If you have a rehearsal you need a rehearsal dinner. If you want to make sure that no one feels obligated to attend then make sure to tell them that it is optional.

@MrsMtobe No one needs to invite OOT's to the rehearsal dinner. That is purely optional.

It's not an either or; they are two completely different things. If you're going to have a rehearsal, you have a dinner for those people who rehearse. If you want to have an afterparty, you do it.

Keep in mind that you'll be exhausted after the wedding and many of your guests will have spent many hours already,

@starsinwaves we're a young couple so the after party would be primarily for our wedding party & wild guests

I'm thinking you nix the rehearsal dinner idea. It sounds inconvenient and that the bp wouldn't even be able to make it, so there's really no point.

As for an after party, I can understand you wanting to do that since it's an early wedding. You may want to throw the idea out to your VIPs and see the response.

Honestly, I think it'd be fun. Go to the hotel and nap or whatever. Shower and refresh for a fun evening out. But see what people think about it. Some may be driving home Sunday and not be up for it.

I'm unsure if my point/question is clear. My wedding party consists of 8 people who live 3-5 hrs away and may OR may not be able to make it to a rehearsal. It's not required, but since we're all young an after party may be fitting but not required also.

It's not really a budget thing, more of courtesy.

@Amber K most will be leaving on Sunday but many VIPs think it's cool since its on the beach at our hotel.

You're young. Yep.

If no one can show up for the rehearsal dinner, don't do one or a dinner.

Why don't you let it unfold organically and see what happens?

@OliviaP FH's older brother would be hosting it.

It would be the same person for either or both. FH family n never had a traditional wedding in their family so they're excited to host. I'm covering the wedding.

Why not have a Friday rehearsal...

If they are rehearsing you have to feed them.

I would host a rehearsal dinner and have an after party at the hotel.

If you are having a rehearsal, then you should have a dinner. If most people can't make it to the rehearsal, just skip it and put the funds towards an after party.

@Ashley N the venue only allows rehearsals on Thursday's as weddings and events are on Friday's mostly. I'm getting married in Daytona Beach, FL right before Spring Break :s

I guess I'm on the other end... I have to drive 2 to 3 hours for a wedding that ends at 3? Why so far? Why so early? I vote after party to make your guest time worth their while.

Same. After party, we're pretty young and a bunch of our friends from undergrad will be at the wedding and are planning an after party. If it doesn't happen oh well.