Do We Need To Hire Vendors For Our Wedding Rehearsal Dinner?
By Amanda Zack, Lantern Room Creative
For many couples, the first several months of engagement are a busy period filled with interviewing vendors, signing contracts, and paying deposits. Assembling your vendor team is critical to move forward with wedding planning, as you’ll rely on their professional services to execute every detail of your big day. But do you need to hire vendors for your wedding rehearsal dinner?
Rehearsal dinners tend to be a casual counterpart to the wedding, so they typically involve much less planning. And with fewer guests, couples can get away with DIYing their rehearsal dinner without many issues.
So, in most cases, the answer is resounding “no” — you don’t need to hire vendors for a rehearsal dinner! Unless you’re planning an extravagant celebration, you can likely pull it off with the help of your friends and family.
However, just because you don’t need to hire vendors doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. Keep reading to learn the pros and cons of booking rehearsal dinner vendors, along with a list of professionals worth considering.
Photo credit: Carter Rose from Elegant Tented Wedding Rehearsal Dinner At Home
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!
Pros of hiring vendors for a rehearsal dinner
You’re already planning a wedding — do you really need to worry about the details for an entirely separate event? Hiring professional support for your rehearsal dinner takes the pressure off you and your family to oversee every little thing.
Additionally, relying on experts will ensure your rehearsal dinner is a high-end celebration without concerns about forgotten elements or last-minute changes. If you want to host an elaborate, well-planned event, it’s worth letting the pros take over!
(Let’s Get Rehearsed editor’s note: For some advice on planning if you do DIY, check out ‘7 Steps To Planning A Wedding Rehearsal Dinner’ and our article on what experts wish couples knew when planning.)
Cons of hiring vendors for a rehearsal dinner
As you may expect, the main downside of booking vendors is cost-restrictiveness. Most of your wedding budget rightfully goes to your wedding, so couples may be hard-pressed to squeeze out more for their rehearsal dinner. That’s why many choose to DIY most (or all) of their rehearsal dinner planning with the support of their loved ones.
(Let’s Get Rehearsed editor’s note: For more on budgeting, check out ‘How Much Should We Spend On Our Wedding’s Rehearsal Dinner?’ and our advice on how to save money on your wedding rehearsal dinner!)
It’s worth noting that some vendors are open to bundling their services to offer discounted rates if you book them for both events. So you may find it feasible to hire your wedding planner or photographer for your rehearsal dinner — don’t be afraid to ask!
If you’re inclined to hire professional support for your rehearsal dinner, here are some vendors to consider adding to your team:
Photo credit: Carter Rose from Elegant Tented Wedding Rehearsal Dinner At Home
Planner
Just as with your wedding, a planner makes everything easier — from coordinating with your venue to sourcing décor items, they’ll take a load off your shoulders. And when you’re in the final stretch of wedding planning, that extra reprieve is much appreciated. Otherwise, get ready to arm yourself with spreadsheets and checklists!
(Let’s Get Rehearsed editor’s note: For more on planners, check out ‘Do We Need A Wedding Planner For Our Rehearsal Dinner?’)
Caterer
Many couples choose to host their rehearsal dinner in restaurants with private spaces, which naturally include food, beverages, and professional servers. But if you’re hosting at someone’s home or in a public area like a park or museum, an offsite caterer saves you and your loved ones from spending the day in the kitchen. All you have to do is enjoy!
Photographer
Do you want to keep rehearsal dinner memories for life? A professional photographer will capture all the special moments and details for you and your partner to relive for years. While you can certainly rely on your guests’ Instagram pictures, a pro will know exactly how to get the best shots with the best lighting.
Videographer
While the wedding is a busy environment, the rehearsal dinner often provides a more intimate and familial atmosphere — an experience you may want captured in real-time. A videographer is worth hiring if you plan to have special traditions, toasts, or other significant moments scheduled for the evening.
Photo credit: Carter Rose from Elegant Tented Wedding Rehearsal Dinner At Home
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!
Florist
Love the idea of lush blooms filling your rehearsal dinner space? If décor is a priority, you may want to contract your florist to create arrangements for your pre-wedding celebration! But if you prefer to save your pennies, consider taking a stab at DIY centerpieces with faux flowers or blooms from your local grocery store.
DJ or Band
What’s a party without music? While a DJ or band isn’t necessary, it can add a unique vibe to your rehearsal dinner — especially if you’re planning around a theme. However, many couples opt for a Bluetooth speaker and a pre-curated playlist for background music. Better yet, pick a venue with live music and try to line up your dates with a fun performance!
Baker
While many couples keep it simple by ordering desserts from the caterer or restaurant’s menu, a big sweet tooth may call for a custom treat to close out the night. If you want to serve a special dessert, like a groom’s cake or monogrammed cookies, be sure to coordinate with the caterer or restaurant manager and inquire about a cake-cutting fee.
(Let’s Get Rehearsed editor’s note: For dessert inspiration, check out our article showcasing some gorgeous desserts and dessert tables!)
Ultimately, it’s up to you and your partner to decide what is worth the investment for your rehearsal dinner. As you plan the dinner, think about how you picture the event and where your priorities lie. For example, is a lavish five-course menu the most important aspect? Or do you care more about handing the planning to someone else? Let these decisions guide your choice of vendors (if you hire any at all!).
Of course, if family members or friends are hosting, consult with them for their opinions about what they’re willing to cover. Don’t be afraid to discuss a compromise that satisfies everyone. For example, if the hosts think a photographer isn’t worth the investment, you may adjust your wedding budget to pay for the service while they pay for the rest of the agreed-upon expenses.
Your rehearsal dinner is meant to be a fun and relaxing kickoff to a busy whirlwind of a weekend. Whether you need professional support or you’re ready for a DIY project is your choice to make — but rest assured, plenty of rehearsal dinners have gone off without a hitch sans vendors!
If you’re planning a rehearsal dinner, don’t miss some of these must-read resources:
Fun Ideas For Wedding Rehearsal Dinner Desserts & Dessert Tables
Experts Wish Couples Knew This Before Throwing A Rehearsal Dinner
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.