Rehearsal dinner / welcome party

Start looking now. It took me two months to find my venues. And some book up over a year in advance. Plus the sooner you start looking, the more weekends are still available.

Sometimes depending on your venue after rehearsal they allow you to do dinner there. I would look into a place nearby your venue if they don’t allow it there just to make it easier for guest.

It also probably depends how big of an event you’re planning. If you’re wanting something catered with lots of guests, then start early as you do the actual venue. If you’re looking to reserve a private room at a restaurant or take over a brewery for the evening, then start reaching out to nearby restaurants to find out what they their suggested timeline is. Some will book far in advance while others wait until a few months out.

How lavish vs simple are you going? That is the biggest determining factor as far as planning. Social media and the movies have you believe that it’s a bare minimum standard to be black tie, super formal, Michelin 5 Star dining. Real life frequently throws a wrench in that because it’s extremely common for a rehearsal dinner to be a simple inexpensive gathering with pizza delivery and beer/sodas or all meet up at the couple’s favorite Chinese restaurant. The couple doesn’t dress up nor does the bride wear white. It doesn’t take a year to plan either because most are planned within a month or so before the wedding.


The modern welcome party that is an alternative to or combined with the rehearsal dinner is more common on social media than in a number of real life social circles. Not every couple hosts traveling guests who are not part of the rehearsal dinner crowd and not all traveling guests feel it is appropriate for the couple to host them for a pre wedding party. If there is a welcome party, it is the responsibility of the couple (or their parents) who are hosting to cover all expenses involved.

It depends!

Most places we've talked to have said to call back or reach out in 6-9 months before the date. Some will let you book prior to that but will say you need to be open to prices changing a little in that time frame because it's so far out.

I disagree with Michele on the second paragraph- the rehearsal is what you want to make it. I agree with her that sometimes beer and Chinese food or pizza hit the spot, but some couples want a formal sit down dinner, while others have a lot of people coming from out of town and want to be inclusive knowing that people traveled to make their wedding and feel it should be open to anyone. I've been to many rehearsal/welcome parties where appetizers are included and paid for by the couple, but it's a cash bar and they say stop in if you'd like. It's all whatever you're comfortable with!