Do We Need A Wedding Planner For Our Rehearsal Dinner or Welcome Party?
By Amanda Zack, Lantern Room Creative
There’s no denying the many moving pieces that go into a flawless wedding. From creating the perfect color palette to nailing the timeline down to the minute, it can feel like a second job for some. That’s why it’s a good practice to hire a wedding planner for your wedding rehearsal dinner and to guide you on the journey to the aisle.
Wedding planners are experts who know how to navigate the ins and outs of the industry. They can help you bring your vision to life, source the right vendors, and stay within your budget – all to achieve your dream wedding day.
But when it comes to pre-nuptial events, many couples wonder: Do we really need a planner to coordinate our rehearsal dinner?
Traditionally, planners have not been necessary for the wedding rehearsal dinner as planning and hosting duties have typically fallen on the set of parents who aren’t paying for the wedding. However, modern weddings tend to bypass tradition as more couples foot their own bill and host their celebration. And as event expectations rise, high-end rehearsal dinners with elaborate details may call for professional support.
Let’s explore some pros and cons of hiring a planner for your wedding rehearsal dinner.
Photo credit: Carter Rose Photography from Texas Hill Country Rehearsal Dinner (With Donkeys!)
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!
Benefits Of Hiring A Planner For Your Rehearsal Dinner
Just like your wedding, hiring a planner for your rehearsal dinner results in less work (and more free time!) for you and your partner. Instead of reviewing menus and negotiating with restaurants over the weekend, you can let an experienced planner handle it on your behalf. Easy! Now, you can use your brief engagement period to lean into the romance and celebrate your love in every way.
And since your planner is connected to your local industry, it’s possible they can leverage their relationships to get better deals and save you some money. So while you may have a dream venue or vendors in mind, a planner can suggest companies that are a better fit for your vision. They may also be able to negotiate a package you wouldn’t be able to access as a prospective client, so it can certainly be worth the investment in some cases!
Photo credit: Carter Rose Photography from Fiesta Themed Wedding Rehearsal Dinner (With Donkeys!)
Drawbacks Of Hiring A Planner For Your Rehearsal Dinner
Of course, hiring a planner for your rehearsal dinner will also come with a price tag. So while you might get some discounts from their negotiation, you may sink those savings right into their invoice. Even so, if you break even on your budget, you’ll still get to enjoy a shorter to-do list – and for some, that’s worth a fortune!
Another potential drawback can arise if someone else is hosting your rehearsal dinner. For example, say your parents are paying for the occasion and expect to call all of the shots. Bringing a planner into the mix can create discord at a time when togetherness should be the top priority. So if someone else is carrying hosting duties, make sure to consult with them before hiring a party planner for your rehearsal dinner.
Photo credit: Carter Rose Photography from Texas Hill Country Rehearsal Dinner (With Donkeys!)
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!
Is A Rehearsal Dinner Planner Right For You?
While not every couple needs to hire a professional planner for their rehearsal dinner, some stand to gain from the support of an expert. Sit down with your partner and consider how you envision your rehearsal dinner. Do you imagine it as a laidback potluck dinner at a parent’s house? Or do you prefer a luxury experience at an upscale restaurant, complete with décor and entertainment?
Also, consider how much time and energy you’re willing to devote to your rehearsal dinner plans. If family members or friends aren’t in a position to help, can you and your partner realistically achieve your vision alone? If it’s a backyard BBQ, the answer is probably yes! But if it’s a grand affair at a historical museum with A-list entertainment, you might not have the time (or patience) to go through all the steps it takes to pull it off successfully.
If you decide to hire a wedding planner for your rehearsal dinner, it’s wise to stick with the same person overseeing your wedding plans. After all, they already understand your values, budget, and aesthetic preferences, so you can rest easy knowing that they’ve got it handled.
Ultimately, the choice is yours – but don’t make it in haste. You have plenty of time before you need to make final decisions for the rehearsal dinner. As you navigate the early stages of wedding planning, get to know your planner and discuss your rehearsal dinner with them. They can provide you with valuable recommendations, whether it’s how to find the right venue or if you should hire a pro after all!
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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.