8 ideas to host a dreamy rehearsal dinner

Jun 13, 2023 | Inspiration
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Villa Montanare | Stella Mia Photography

Whether you choose a welcome party or traditional rehearsal dinner (or a combination of both), a pre-wedding gathering is a great opportunity to greet your guests and welcome them to the celebrations. Wedding welcome parties seem to be overtaking the more formal rehearsal dinner, but this kind of get-together can be whatever you want to be, from a relaxed BBQ or pizza party, to a wine and cheese soirée or traditional sit-down dinner. Ready to start planning your rehearsal dinner? Here's eight top tips to plan a wedding welcome party that will kick off your celebrations in style.

1. Consider the location when booking your wedding venue

When booking your wedding venue it makes sense to consider where you will host your rehearsal dinner or welcome party, and whether you can do so on-site or will need to find another location nearby. If you can hire your wedding for the weekend, you'll usually be able to have your event there the night before, otherwise you can ask for recommendations for local hotels, taverns or restaurants that can cater for your guest list. The key is to keep planning logistics as simple as possible and make it easy for guests to get to and from their accommodation.

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Villa Montanare | Stella Mia Photography
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McSween Photography
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Casa de Campo | David Abel Photography
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2. Provide a bar or BYOB

A bar is essential for your welcome party but it's up to you whether you supply drinks or put on a cash bar. A nice idea is to offer a first complementary drink, perhaps a signature cocktail or two, then guests can go on to buy further drinks. Depending on your venue and the vibe of your event, you could even ask guests to BYOB. Just to be mindful not to get carried away, especially if it's the night before your wedding! You want to feel fresh not fuzzy, as you walk down the aisle. Hot drinks like tea and coffee are nice touch too.

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ASPENX | KT Merry Photography
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Villa Montanare | Stella Mia Photography
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Photography: McSween Photography

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La Casa Toscana | Terrie Images

3. Get creative with catering

Your pre-wedding event is great opportunity to get creative with your catering and provide something different to what you'll be serving guests on the big day. Texas BBQ or freshly made wood-fired pizzas are sure to be a hit and both are ideal for relaxed affairs, as well as sharing food served family style such as tagines, salads, antipasti, mezze or tapas. Sit down dinners are still a lovely celebratory option for rehearsal dinners, or you could even host a potluck to help manage the cost of catering your welcome party.

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Lianna Marie Photo
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​Photographer: Stepan Vrzala | Venue: Chateau La Coste
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​Photographer: Stepan Vrzala | Venue: Chateau La Coste
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Photography: Jenny Quicksall

4. Serve some sweet treats

You can't go wrong with serving something sweet so consider a dessert table, gelato cart or something fun and interactive like s'mores over the fire pit. You could even get family involved in bringing home-baked goodies like cookies, brownies and pies. Yum!

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Lianna Marie Photo
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Villa Montanare | Stella Mia Photography

5. Go for beautiful yet simple table decor

Tables laden with flowers are undoubtedly pretty but certainly not conducive to a beautiful welcome party. To differentiate from the wedding reception that lies ahead, consider keeping your table decor simple with potted herbs and natural produce like locally grown fruit and vegetables. Simple and effective.

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Villa Montanare | Jenny Quicksall Photography
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Photography: Terrie Nelson
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Chateau La Coste | ​Stepan Vrzala Photography
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Villa Montanare | Jenny Quicksall Photography

6. Create a cosy lounge area

Lounge areas are always a good idea as they encourage guests to linger and relax. Some comfy seating will be particularly appreciated by older guests and those who are expecting or have young babies to nurse.

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Casa de Campo | David Abel Photography
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Anna Gianfrate Photography
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Ventana Big Sur | Meg Smith Photography

7. Add personal touches

Set the tone for the wedding to come with personal touches that celebrate you as a couple. From signs and photos to monogrammed accessories and details that celebrate the location, the options are endless to have fun getting creative.

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Bryn Du Mansion | The Cannons Photography
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8. Wedding welcome bags

Wedding welcome bags are by no means a must-have but a super sweet gesture that's sure to be appreciated. Whether you create a collection of goodies for all of guests; go for a thoughtful local gift for your out-of-town guests, or some wedding day essentials for your bridal party - wedding welcome bags can come in all shapes and sizes.

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ASPENX | KT Merry Photography
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Ventana Big Sur | Meg Smith Photography
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Villa d’Este Lake Como | Gabriele Malagoli Photography

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