Rehearsal dinner

All of our guests are from out of town. We live in coastal Virginia and our families are coming in from Pennsylvania and Connecticut.
We are limiting the rehearsal to the wedding party and their guest and immediate family. And even by limiting to that we have almost 30 people because my FH has his mom, dad, stepdad, and 5 siblings plus 2 guests.

I don’t think it’s rude to leave the aunts and uncles and cousins out because they’re going to see you at the actual wedding and reception.

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That is amazing news! lol I just am glad it wont be rude!

You only need to invite the people directly involved with the rehearsal.

You’re not required to invite out of town guests to the rehearsal.

I don’t think it’s rude at all. Most of our guest are out of town as well. We are only inviting officiant/bridal party, their SO, and immediate family. We might grab drinks afterwards and thinking of letting guest know if they’d like to meet up.

You only need to invite the people who attended the rehearsal to the rehearsal dinner.


Personally, we also invited our out of town family because we never get to see them and wanted to spend time with them, and it was also the first time our families would meet. We live in New Jersey as does my immediate family, but my husband’s family lives in California so they had never met before. Also my cousins and uncles live scattered across the country, and my husband’s uncle lives in Europe. So it was really nice to get our families together the night before the wedding and to get to spend extra time with them.

BUT we totally didn’t *have to* do that or anything, it was just what we wanted!

We're thinking of doing our rehearsal dinner with a limited guest list, and then a casual meet up afterwards for others to come visit if they want to, including out-of-town guests.

There is no supposed to. The rehearsal dinner is primarily for those in the wedding. Many add immediate family, parents and siblings. Far fewer add out of town guests, so do it only if you want to. Often, when there are family in the area, they do something with out of town family, a little reunion and visiting time. Otherwise, they amuse themselves. When traveling far, it can be nice to settle in early the night before, so they can take care of themselves.

I traveled to another state for my nephews wedding but was not invited to the rehearsal dinner and never thought I would be. It's really for the wedding party. No worries.

Not a problem at all as traditionally you wouldn’t be expected to invite them Also look at it this way - now they have their evening freed up to have some fun and explore the area

I think this is totally dependent on you, what you want, and what you can afford. I will be inviting just the bridal party, our parents, and anyone participating in the ceremony. I have been to rehearsal dinners that invited out of town guests and other people but I don't think it's necessary and honestly sounds exhausting to be hosting all those people the night before your wedding.

View Quoted Comment You are so right ! It would be exhausting! Lol

I’m inviting bridal party and people involved in the rehearsal. However, my fiancé does have some groomsmen from out of town who also has family coming that are invited to the wedding. We plan to invite them as well. But, I’m definitely not inviting all out of town guests

It’s totally up to you! Some people invite out of town guests, but it’s not rude to keep it more intimate.