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Your big day is arriving and you have the plans for your wedding day more than firmly in place. Everything from your more than attractive apparel to the last detail for the wedding reception meal has been crossed off your personal “to do list". The last thing on that list deals with planning for the wedding rehearsal dinner.
The wedding rehearsal dinner has long been an integral but overlooked part of smooth clockwork like preparation for your wedding deal and wedding reception meal. Tradition has it that the groom’s parents graciously throw the soiree before the big day.
With the year 2008 coming up, modern brides usually find it fitting, best and proper to come up with their own individual game plan, though planning a rehearsal dinner can at times be a stressful process, and it does not have to be.
The outcome of this pre-nup gathering of course is to get you all hyped and make sure that you and your man and the bridal party are ceremony ready.
Consider these user-friendly tips when planning the wedding dinner rehearsal:
First, there is a ceremony run through. Most officiates request a practice run of the ceremony service so that everyone is comfortable with their roles. Consider this a blessing in disguise. It is the moment when you get to practice your walk up the aisle, your vows, and get the lowdown on who walks when, where and with whom.
Next up is the wedding rehearsal dinner. Many couples have used this social activity as a simple way to thank those who have been more than helpful to you and have graciously assisted you with your wedding preparations. You could this in a speech or toast, or simply to keep it casual and informal. It’s your wedding day, “Your day in the sun" so to speak. It’s your choice how you prefer to do this.
The wedding rehearsal dinner is also the perfect time to give gifts to the bridal party and your family. There is no set rule on this matter of bridal party gift giving. It is also an extraordinary touch to specifically tailor each gift to the individual. After all these are the people who have helped you out – it is more than worth the effort to thank each of them specifically in a manner that means the most to both them and you. Gift giving can be something. It is a misconception that gift giving is a matter of dollars and cents – sort of like pricing out a caterer or a florist for your wedding. It need not be. A carefully chosen gift – that is relatively inexpensive will go miles further than a more costly gift that is not well chosen. The key to the exercise of choosing gifts that will be personally appreciated by the receiver is to pay attention to their personal interests and choose a gift that matches with that or something that the person can use on a regular basis. For example standard gifts of cufflinks may be run of the mill and standard but how often will your nephew use them or even take them out of its case. In that case your nephew would sure appreciate a new computer mouse or webcam- which could well be picked up on sale at your local big box store while you are shopping for other wedding supplies. Similarly a nice bouquet of flowers may be pretty but short-lived whereas a cookbook for a bridesmaid whose hobby and passion is cooking will be a prize to that person.
All in all plan ahead for your wedding rehearsal dinner. Everything will go smoothly.
Just the same as your “Big Day in the Sun". Remember that all those people attending your wedding day are "there for you ".
And even though it seems like all of the planning should be focused on the actual wedding, the rehearsal dinner should not be overlooked.
Who comes
The rehearsal dinner was meant to be a way for the out of town guests to meet each other before the actual wedding day. But you can invite anyone that you think might like to come out for the evening.
Most couples invite their families and wedding parties as well as anyone else from out of town. And others decide that whoever comes to the actual rehearsal will be invited to the dinner. It's entirely up to you.
It is easier to invite those that are going to be at the rehearsal as you'll all be in one place and just move to another.
Where to have it
The number of guests as well as the budget will determine where you want to have your rehearsal dinner. It can be easier to have it at a restaurant due to the ease of having a varied menu that everyone can choose from, but this can become expensive too. You may want to limit the menu for the guests in order to keep costs low.
Another option is to have the rehearsal dinner at someone's home. This works out great for a smaller group and can be easily planned with a few calls and a few trips to the store.
What happens at the rehearsal dinner
This is really the chance for the bride and the groom to get to talk to everyone without being caught up in their wedding day. They may give a short speech or note of thanks to everyone that has helped them get to their wedding day.
Sometimes, the couple will hand out gifts for their wedding party at the dinner. This isn't necessary, but with all of the hard work many of the people in the party have done—it's a great way to show your appreciation (as well as give them a final push though the last day).
A rehearsal dinner is a casual time for the guests to get together and enjoy themselves. If there are any last minute details to be worked out, this is the time.
Make sure that you relax and bask in the glow of your upcoming ceremony. The stress is almost over.