Rehearsal dinner

I honestly think it’s perfect. The point is to celebrate the day in whatever way you choose. Don’t doubt yourself in this!

View Quoted Comment Thank you Sloan!

Ehh, I wouldn’t recommend a potluck. Because you have to worry about keeping the food hot. It might be tacky, but is there a way you all can go to a restaurant and have everyone pay for themselves? It’s not ideal, but if you all don’t have the funds, I wouldn’t suggest inviting everyone and making them pay unless they’re okay with it.

Pizza and soda has been a staple rehearsal dinner for decades and it is minimal cost. It’s only been recently that rehearsal dinners have gotten fancy and expensive. Pizza restaurants are open and will welcome your group coming in if you call ahead and others deliver. Even Costco has amazing inexpensive full size hot pizzas from their food court that can be picked up and taken to your dinner location. No reason whatsoever to ask your wedding party who has no time to cook ahead of time or a way to keep food safe during that time to provide their own dinner.

The rehearsal dinner is something you host to thank everyone for taking the time to come rehearse. It's better if you provide the food and drinks. It could be take out at your place, or at the venue if they allow it. It doesn't have to be fancy or even at a restaurant.

The logistics of hosting a potluck rehearsal dinner could be very tricky especially if its on a week night. It would be a lot to ask someone who is working to attend a rehearsal but also bring food to it especially if you have people traveling in. Keep it simple pizza and sodas or heroes or something, even a backyard bbq. It seems like in recent years rehearsal dinners can almost be as big as the wedding but in my opinion the best are very low key. This is definitely a know your crowd situation, good luck and happy planning.

Rehearsal dinners don't have to be fancy or at restaurants. But the whole point of rehearsal dinners is to thank the wedding party, so you would need to provide the food. Unfortunately, to answer your question directly, I do think that it would be rude to have a potluck rehearsal dinner (and even ruder to have people pay for their own meals--so I would definitely not take the suggestion of the PP who suggested that). If you are on a really tight budget, my advice would be to get the cheapest catering you can find. That may be pizza, chinese food, etc. As long as you feed your guests

Mission bbq has pretty good pricing and they are so good !! Not sure if you have one around you but definitely look into it if you do

Here is the pricing for parties of 10 + we were going to have mission bbq cater at our venue the night before our wedding but my Fiancés parents decided they wanted to go all out and host it at a fancy restaurant. Honestly I would have just been happy with mission bbq but I’m excited they are paying for it and will appreciate anything!

Well I am paying for my wedding myself and some people did agree a potluck would be fine, but I’m not sure about the others. Pizza is a great idea. I just don’t have the extra money to hose another giant dinner. I may go with pizza, but is there any way we can set rehearsal after everyone has already eaten and just not do a dinner anyways? I mean we basically are just renewing our vows and wedding term is just too stressful, but I also don’t want to disappoint others in our bridal party if it’s not “fancy enough”

Host another giant event *

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The only way to skip the rehearsal dinner politely is to not take up people's time by attending a rehearsal. If your ceremony isn't complicated, then skipping the rehearsal would be an option.

Having people fund your party either via potluck or paying for themselves is not considered good hosting because you're not hosting at that point.

Having a late rehearsal to get out of a rehearsal dinner is also against etiquette.

People will always say potluck is fine because they won't want to offend you.

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Rehearsal dinners are not required to be fancy so if someone is upset about that person can stay home and save ya some money . How many people are attending? To cut down costs I d just invite the people actually rehearsing with you to the dinner. If its a vow renewal maybe you can skip the actual rehearsal or see if you could squeeze in a quick run thru the day of your event. If not try to keep it casual go back to someone's house or the venue and have beer/soda with pizza or sandwiches or fast food take out and just enjoy each others company and get excited about the main event. Could you ask a close relative to perhaps gift you some money towards the rehearsal or go halfsies on it. We are lucky in that my future in laws have offered to cover the rehearsal but we are keeping it casual and very low key. Would most of the people bringing food also need to be at the rehearsal and do they live nearby the rehearsal site? I d worry about people being late for the actual rehearsal, forgetting the food, being super stressed, or the food being ice cold. It's a tricky one, good luck to you!

If it's a vow renewal, I would skip the rehearsal altogether. Otherwise, if you feel it's absolutely necessary, you specifically asked if it was "rude or tacky" to have a potluck and the majority of PPs have said that it is. You also said your bridesmaids will be decorating the venue, which many on this forum will also say is a faux pas. If this is the case, the least you can do is feed them.

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I didn't even touch the "don't make your guests work at your wedding" etiquette situation, but yes I think in this case skipping the rehearsal is the way to go.

Pizza or even hotdogs and hamburgers are always a hit. And Even it’s too much stress just skip it! Or have a rehearsal ice cream party after!

You could always get catering from a local or chain restaurant. I've been to rehearsal dinners where they catered from Chipotle and local bbq joints.

That is very rude. And logistically tricky. You are asking people to take time out of their day to rehearse your wedding, then you want them to bring food on top of that.


Get a Costco pizza or sandwich platter. It's about $20. If you choose to have a bridal party and a rehearsal, you need to budget in a rehearsal meal.

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I Agree.

OP, you may be at that mental point where you can't plan another party (btw, we all pay for our own weddings). But if you ask people to give the time, you should thank them with a meal. They are coming back the next day even. If this is not possible with sandwich platters, etc, cancel the rehearsal and let them have a night to themselves. It's just walking afterall.

You dont have to even have a rehearsal! But if you want to, the right thing to do is to feed everyone after. Lots of pizza places have large pans of pasta you could order too for 15-20 dollars. There are lots of ways to do it cheaply!