Weddings can be complex. Each element has its own procedures and traditions. Planning a wedding is often a full time affair. Even rehearsal dinner etiquette can be rigorous. Knowing the ins and outs can be the difference between enjoyable and disastrous.



The groom's parents get the task of running the rehearsal dinner. They plan it and also organize everything. Some couples hold this task for themselves as their way of thanking the wedding party, but should always be careful to console the groom's parents with this news. If the groom's parents insist, let them do it. Why start a fight because you want to do more work?

The dinner should take place the day before the wedding, directly after the wedding rehearsal. This ensures that all the guests and family are in town, available to attend. It's very bad form to hold the rehearsal dinner too far in advance of the wedding. It potentially excludes some people. The last thing needed from a wedding is hurt feelings in either family. Remember, for the bride and groom both families are soon to become their family.

It's a must to invite the immediate relatives of both the bride and groom. The entire bridal party, each with a guest, should also be asked to attend along with any other friends and family the bride and groom would like to have at the dinner. The preacher or whoever officiates the wedding, offers the vows, should also be invited. Just like with the wedding be very careful with who is invited or not. Maybe uncle Albert is a little rude, but is it worth a lifetime of bad blood to exclude him?

Include a social time before the dinner so people can relax and talk. It's important to consider the feelings of all the guests and to provide a pleasant atmosphere. Keep this dinner in line with the budget of the overall wedding. If it's a million dollar wedding then the rehearsal dinner should reflect this. By the same token a budget wedding should have too fancy of a rehearsal dinner. Finally, make sure the dinner ends fairly early so people can be well rested for the next day's festivities.

Toasts go to all the people helping with the wedding. Don't forget both sets of parents. This toast takes place after the main meal, delivered by the couple to be. Save other toasts for the reception.

A good wedding can be better with a smooth rehearsal dinner. Pay attention to rehearsal dinner etiquette.