Rehearsal dinner too early?

Same thing happened to me. 2 pm rehearsal. 3pm guests checked into the hotel. 4pm dinner. It was nice because there was a bar across the street from the hotel so DH and I were able to spend a few more hours with out WP in a more relaxed setting. No one cared.

I would eat dinner at 3.30 if it was offered....but then I know a lot of people who eat dinner at lunch time... It depends on your Bridal party... Maybe you take everyone for a drink after, and stretch it out another hour to 90 mins before you actually have dinner, then your talking around 5pm..

Can you host the rehearsal at the restaurant you're having dinner at, instead of the venue?

It's too early.. Having the rehearsal at a site that is not your venue is, honestly, pointless.. I'd bag the rehearsal all together (most people in venues don't need them: the venues can absolutely run your wedding effectively if you organize the order, write it down and make sure your point person has it). And do your dinner at dinner time, especially if you are inviting people besides the BP.

I would do the rehersal, give people time to settle and meet back at around 5 for dinner

Mine is going to be the same way, I am going to the rehearsal early and then give people sometime to relax before the dinner.

I was in a wedding this year where the rehearsal was at 1 PM. We all went and did our own thing for a few hours, showered and cleaned up at the hotel and then went to the dinner. Not ideal, but you gotta do what you gotta do. I wouldn't be mad if there is anyone who can't make it to the rehearsal due to work or other obligations.

This is kind of happening to us. Our rehearsal is at 2pm. But it's about 40ish minutes away from everyone. We are just going to do an early dinner back around where we live.

We had our rehearsal at 12pm because the venue has weddings everyday and everyone needs to be off the property by 130pm. Then we did a rehearsal lunch instead of dinner immediately after. It gave everyone time to spend the night the way they wanted also to get ready for the wedding the next day.

Our rehearsal was at 3, by the time we finished up and people drove to the restaurant, parked/walked over plus cocktail hour, we ate around 5-530. It wasn't an issue.

It might be a little early. We're going to have to do ours early most likely since the wedding is a Sunday and I can almost guarantee there will be a wedding the night before. But our RD will be at the pool house (which is stunning and not what it sounds like) in the resort community were getting married in. We have the venue all day so I think FMIL is planning to have snacks and stuff out throughout the day and then the dinner later. We're still a year out so there are lots of details not fully planned yet.

Pic of "pool house". It's the building across the lake- I thought I had inside pics but apparently not.

We're doing a rehearsal brunch or lunch. Only time we can fit it in around everything for the Hindu ceremony that we are doing the day before the wedding.

Guess it's not traditional, but you still get a rehearsal either way.

Could you do the rehearsal dinner the night before the other wedding? or did they already book it for their rehearsal dinner? I don't think the timing is too early, it could be considered a late lunch?

You could do a lunch instead and then head to the venue for a quick rehearsal. There's no rule it needs to be after the rehearsal.

What about building in an activity between the rehearsal and dinner? Something like a beer tasting, bowling or boat/walking tour if most of your BP is OOT? Then you could have dinner around 5, which is much more reasonable.

We're doing something similar - and with lots of OOT guests, it will be nice having the whole evening to spend some time together before the wedding crazies the next day. Like others said, keep it casual and consider planning an activity after dinner. You'll have a great time!

I don't think it's a big deal if it's a bit early but eating beforehand is an option.

We rehearsed at 3 and I was definitely concerned about having dinner at 4 or 4:30 which was way too early IMO! We ended up doing a hosted happy hour at our RD location before dinner which really wasn't expensive - the restaurant where we had our RD had a nice bar area, and offered great happy hour drink and food specials, plus had live music playing during HH. We just cordoned off a large table (told the restaurant in advance) where we ordered a bunch of apps and kept on the table, and had the bartender run a tab for our group. Then we closed out when it was time to move to our private room for the dinner at 5.

Yes, it's too early. Don't ask your attendants to leave work early to attend a rehearsal that incorporates walking and little else. I know many couples believe this rehearsal will make the difference between a wedding and a disaster, but honestly, it's more of a tradition than a necessity. Think of the weddings you've been to. What do they encompass? It's as simple as, "Walk now".

If you're that worried about it, get the measurements of the aisle and run your processional music. You can do a rehearsal anywhere, as long as you have the right measurements, time the music, and have someone tapping the attendants on the shoulder when it's time to walk. Then, take everyone out to dinner, at dinner time.

Our rehearsal was from 3 - 4 and then we had drinks at the restaurant bar from 4 - 5 and dinner at 5. By the time we ordered a few bottles of wine and appetizers and then ordered dinner, dinner was not served until about 6:30 / 7. I think it should be fine depending on if your crowd will be having drinks or if they just want to have dinner.