Selecting The Right Wedding Rehearsal Dinner Venue or Location
By Amanda Zack, Lantern Room Creative
Congratulations! You set the wedding date, and now it’s time to hit the ground running with the planning. While your focus may be on wedding day festivities, let’s not forget the wedding rehearsal dinner! Here, you can celebrate with your inner circle before diving into the busyness of your special day. And the first step in planning your pre-wedding festivities is to select the right wedding rehearsal dinner venue.
But before signing on any dotted lines, there are some logistics to sort out to select the ideal event space, including your guest count and accommodations. But that’s not all. There’s more!
Here are five key steps to help you select the right rehearsal dinner venue.
Photo credit: Donna Von Bruening from Sophisticated Palmetto Bluff Rehearsal Dinner & Party
Don't get stressed - get Let's Get Rehearsed’s FREE rehearsal dinner guide packed full of everything you need to plan a welcome party, from saving money to celebrating the night before the big day!
Determine your budget.
Setting a wedding budget will give you peace of mind. It will also ensure no unexpected costs pop up along the way. If you haven’t included your rehearsal dinner estimates, set aside time with your partner to establish a spending plan for your dinner.
Since rehearsal dinners tend to be more intimate and smaller than the wedding, you can save on expenses with a low guest count while still having a great time with your closest friends. So say goodbye to spending blindly and hello to spending with intention!
(Let’s Get Rehearsed editor’s note: For more on budget, check out ‘Wedding Rehearsal Dinner Budget: How Much & Who Pays?’ and 6 ways to save money on your wedding rehearsal dinner.)
Create your guest list.
Who’s getting an invite? Discuss who makes the cut with your partner. Remember, your rehearsal dinner doesn’t have to include everyone from your ceremony and reception party. You can designate this gathering for your family and closest friends.
A guest count will also guide your venue search as you look for a space that can accommodate your party’s capacity. So whether you’re hosting 15 or 50 guests, this detail will help you select the ideal site.
(Let’s Get Rehearsed editor’s note: For more advice on guest lists, check out our article breaking down the wedding rehearsal dinner guest list)
Photo credit: Donna Von Bruening from Sophisticated Palmetto Bluff Rehearsal Dinner & Party
Consider food and beverage preferences.
Choosing your ideal cuisine for the rehearsal dinner is the fun part. While some couples maintain a similar palate for the rehearsal dinner and reception party, others prefer an entirely different cuisine to keep things fresh and exciting.
Remember that the rehearsal dinner is one day before your wedding, so avoid foods that are too heavy or may trigger sensitivities. In addition, consider your guests’ dietary restrictions. For example, is anyone vegan or paleo? Are there food allergies to take into account?
If you’re uncertain about dietary needs, chat with your guests and select a menu that maintains everyone’s preferences.
You can also opt to host your rehearsal dinner at your favorite restaurant. It’s a familiar and comfortable space, perfect for celebrating milestones in your life.
(Let’s Get Rehearsed editor’s note: For menu ideas, check out our customizable menu printables and advice on how to build a menu inspired by your location.)
Be mindful of logistics.
The rehearsal dinner usually takes place after the rehearsal, so it’s vital to consider commuting logistics. How far or close is the venue from the wedding? The last thing you want is for guests to drive all over town. Instead, review the proximity of your ideal venues to the wedding and the hotel. Of course, you will want to choose a convenient location.
In addition, always consider the season and weather forecast, especially before reserving a gorgeous patio setting. You don’t want your guests to be left in a rainstorm! Knowing the weather outlook will help determine whether you should book an indoor or outdoor venue.
However, it’s always good to have a backup plan, so check in with the venue to see if they offer alternative spaces you can move to in case the weather changes.
Photo credit: Donna Von Bruening from Sophisticated Palmetto Bluff Rehearsal Dinner & Party
Tour your ideal venues.
Once you have a list of venues, schedule a tour with each one to explore the spaces and their offerings. You will likely want a private room to decorate, play music, and socialize without uninvited guests crashing it.
Also, bring your questions. It’s never an intrusion to ask about details, so you can ensure it’s the right environment for your rehearsal dinner. For example, ask about group menu options, bar packages, and entertainment accommodations. You can also inquire about discounts for larger groups and backup plans in case the weather affects the event.
Most venues have a plan B if there’s a power outage or staff shortage. However, to be sure everything is accounted for, discuss how they navigate unpredictable situations.
Photo credit: Donna Von Bruening from Sophisticated Palmetto Bluff Rehearsal Dinner & Party
Don't get stressed - get Let's Get Rehearsed’s FREE rehearsal dinner guide packed full of everything you need to plan a welcome party, from saving money to celebrating the night before the big day!
Selecting the best venue for your rehearsal dinner.
While securing a venue can feel overwhelming, remember your rehearsal dinner is an opportunity to showcase your personality and celebrate with loved ones without the formality of the wedding day. It may not be an overnight process, but location plays an integral role in your overall experience.
So whether you’re opting for a large dinner party or an intimate gathering, let the budget, tour, menu, guest capacity, and logistics guide your final decision. Ultimately, it’s about picking a venue you love, so take your time with the search to find the right rehearsal dinner venue for you.
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About Let’s Get Rehearsed!
Welcome to stress-free and easy wedding rehearsal dinner planning and ideas! Let’s Get Rehearsed is the best, most helpful planning and inspiration resource for all things wedding rehearsal dinners, wedding welcome parties, and the night before the wedding celebrations. If you’re in rehearsal dinner planning mode or looking for unique ideas, check out our real rehearsal dinner and welcome party photos, rehearsal dinner ideas and inspiration, advice for planning a wedding rehearsal dinner, and a rehearsal dinner printable and download shop.
Don’t forget to visit the Let’s Get Rehearsed Shop where you can find fun and affordable wedding rehearsal dinner invitations, wedding welcome party signs, printables, digital downloads and more.
Let’s Get Rehearsed is all about getting you rehearsed before the wedding, so you can get to the celebration!
Amanda Zack is the owner of Lantern Room Creative, a boutique copywriting agency that specializes in brand messaging and digital marketing solutions for creatives and wedding professionals.