One aspect of your wedding that may not get the attention it deserves is the rehearsal dinner. Rehearsal dinners are common, but they can sometimes be an after-thought rather than a focus - after all, it’s a bit of a kick-off to your entire wedding! Rehearsal dinners traditionally happen after the wedding rehearsal and include guests such as the wedding party, family, and attendees from out of town. It is up to you who is invited, but considering your guest list is the first step for looking for the perfect venue. Here are other things you should consider:
Location, Location, Location
Because the definition of a rehearsal dinner is the meal that takes place directly after the wedding rehearsal, it only makes sense to have it within close proximity of the actual wedding venue. You can choose to have it in the same venue (many wedding locales offer separate dining facilities just for this purpose,) or you can choose to go offsite with a more intimate restaurant or another eatery that is easy for everyone to get to.
Make It Cozy
Even if you pick a ballroom out of the way of the grand foyer where the wedding will be held, work with the venue to create a more intimate space from larger rooms. This is often the first chance that the families of the happy couple will be meeting and chatting. That’s often why people choose to pick private dining rooms of public restaurants or reserve the rooftop patio space from lofts and penthouses. They take the wedding party away from the noise and bustle of the rest of the world but are far from being sterile or stuffy. You want people to feel relaxed and the dinner to be more like something you would host at home.
Venue Pick: The Butcher and the Boar is a restaurant and wedding venue in one. Hold your rehearsal and wedding at the same venue. The Butcher and The Boar located in Charleston, SC is an alternative to traditional steak houses. With a modern, innovative communal approach world crafted meats, guests will be pleasantly surprised.
Consider Family-Style
The rehearsal dinner doesn’t need to be a fancy meal - keep it casual with family-style or buffet dining. Shared food experiences are a natural way to bring about organic conversations and memories the families will cherish for years to come. If you want to use a restaurant that’s not big on the shared food themes, order lots of appetizers and make a meal out of them. Many catering services are keen on the family-style dining trend and will be happy to help you choose the menu to suit your tastes.
Keep it Casual
If your wedding is a formal tuxedo affair, the rehearsal dinner should offer a different experience. It's nicer for guests to feel like each individual event is it's own. Break up the boredom and make every part special, by clearly defining a separate theme or style for your rehearsal dinner than your wedding. Encouraging a theme, or having more simple food such as BBQ is a fun way for guests to relax, have fun, and get to know each other. Casual rehearsal dinners can be a welcome addition for people who will be dressed to the nines for the wedding later on.
Take Photos
Even if you hire a photographer for the wedding, consider securing services for a few hours on rehearsal night, as well. This can be the perfect time to snap photos of the less time-sensitive details, such as the exterior of the buildings, select guests, invitations, or the décor. The immediate family will usually be eager to get some photos of the rehearsal, as well, since the wedding day can feel rushed and won’t always be the best time to capture everyone on film.
Venue Pick: Edmund's Oast, is a restaurant, and brewery in Charleston, SC offering a unique combination of brewery, seasonally-focused kitchen, and encyclopedic bar program. The restaurant offers an elevated but approachable menu, providing guests a warm and exciting dining experience perfect for a family-style rehearsal dinner.
Time It Right
With many rehearsal dinners happening right before the wedding (and often the night before), it's important to allow for some breathing room. Making sure out-of-town party members arrive is key, but you should also let your guests have a little time to unwind and rest before the wedding date. If you do host the day before, consider keeping it early in the day. Let guests have a full night's sleep without forcing them to cut the get-to-know-you party short.
Utilize the Event Planner
Location, menu, timing, style…. It may seem like there's too much to consider when picking a rehearsal venue, but compared to the wedding details, this will be cake! Many of the locations that specialize in rehearsal dinners have event planners who are happy to take much of the hard work off your plate! From décor to menu design, this is what they live for; allow those who excel to bring their A-game, so that you can put your energy in making sure you show up fresh for the big walk down the wedding aisle.
