Typically, the rehearsal dinner is held directly after the wedding rehearsal, during which the bride, groom, and all attendants participate. The dinner is usually held someplace that everyone invited can get to fairly easily from the wedding rehearsal. For example, you would not want to ask your guests to travel an hour or more to go to dinner the night before the wedding.

It is customary for the bride, groom, their attendants, and their families to be invited to the dinner. All out-of-town guests should also be invited. If you don't plan to invite out-of-town guests, you should provide them with a list of places that they can go to eat dinner - especially if they are unfamiliar with the area. How many guests that are invited depends upon the budget available. Typically, the rehearsal dinner is held the night before the wedding, but some people actually have it two or three nights before the wedding. It all depends upon the wishes of the bride and groom.

It is tradition that the groom's family hosts the rehearsal dinner. However, nowadays, anyone can host the rehearsal dinner; from the groom's family, to the bride's family, to the bride and groom themselves. Who hosts the rehearsal dinner is a matter that needs to be settled by the people involved. Ultimately, the host is the one who pays for the dinner and all of the guests invited. If the groom's family cannot afford the rehearsal dinner for any reason, then it typically falls on the bride and groom to take the responsibility next. Not all couples have a rehearsal, nor do they have to. But, it is just a tradition that many decide they want to follow, especially if the wedding itself is traditional.

One thing is for certain, no matter who hosts the rehearsal dinner: The dinner itself should reflect the interests and personality of the bride and groom. The dinner does not need to be a formal affair, but then again, that depends upon the desires of the bride and groom. The purpose of the rehearsal dinner is for the bride and groom to spend time with their bridal party as well as their families before the wedding day. During the rehearsal dinner, the bride and groom typically pass out gifts to their attendants to thank them for being in the wedding.

Some examples of successful rehearsal dinner locations include elegant restaurants, backyard cookouts, church hall dining rooms, and homes. When it comes to the rehearsal dinner, pretty much anything goes! It should basically be a fun time for everyone to relax, eat, and have some drinks before the big day. Brides and grooms should beware, however, not to drink too much alcohol and get to bed early. They would not want to feel sick or tired on their wedding day!