Wedding Rehearsal Planning Guide

When it comes to planning your wedding day, you don’t want to forget about the evening leading up to it. The rehearsal dinner can be an important event, as it is a time for the families and closest friends to come together to celebrate the momentous occasion before the big day.

There’s a lot of preparation that goes into coordinating a rehearsal dinner. It’s smart to have a theme in place, from where you can tailor the details accordingly and bring your vision to life. Here are some tips for planning a private event, like a wedding rehearsal dinner, that will do your union justice and make for a memorable event.

Pick a Venue

The first step is picking the venue to hold the wedding rehearsal dinner. You’ll want to find a place that complements the ambience you’re going for.

If you want something modern and chic, make sure the space fits—a private room in an elegant hotel or a trendy restaurant would work nicely. If you’re looking for something more “homey” consider an outdoors space or a restaurant that uses wood and rustic elements.

Make a Great Dinner Menu

You can either do a buffet, family style set-up, or you can have a sit-down meal where guests receive individual plates or choose from a few options. For buffet style, typically you pay per person, and you’ll choose the selection.

Be sure to select options that suit differing palates, such as a few vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free dishes. For a family style menu, you’ll pay for the food items, which will then serve the crowd. (Check out the Albert’s private dining dinner menu.)

Make Your Guest List

Building a guest list can be tricky, if it gets too long, your costs can skyrocket. Between family, the wedding party, dates, spouses, and of course it’s courteous to extend an invitation to out-of-towners as well.

If your list gets longer than you had hoped, you can forego the dinner. Opt for a more casual event with passed appetizers, cocktails, and desserts instead, to keep cost lower and still involve all your loved ones. (The Albert has a great reception menu if dinner isn’t an option.)

Open Up the Floor

The parents and best man or maid of honor may speak on your wedding day, but typically other family and bridal party members might want to share a few words leading up to the occasion. Don’t be surprised if they have come to the rehearsal dinner with a speech in hand.

Have a mic ready and coordinate with the venue to set aside a time for people to take the stage. This can be before the meal, or during—such as before dessert—limit the end of night speeches however, these tend to get long winded and your guests restless after a night of food and drink .

Provide Transportation

If people are staying in the suburbs or in a hotel that isn’t where you are hosting your wedding rehearsal dinner, provide transportation to guests to make it easier on them and to make sure that everyone is ready in time. Keeping on schedule will be better for you and the venue’s staff, as well! Consider getting a bus, shuttle, or trolley—some of the best memories can be made during these rides!

Interested in booking your next private event at the Albert? Contact us now.