Does The Rehearsal Dinner Have To Be The Night Before The Wedding?

Planning AdviceEtiquette
Written By Julianne Smith

By Amanda Zack, Lantern Room Creative

The wedding rehearsal dinner is often seen as the kickoff to a celebratory wedding weekend, allowing the couple to ease into the festivities among their nearest and dearest. But with so much to do during the week, timing the rehearsal dinner can be tricky — especially if you expect out-of-town guests to attend.

Traditionally, the rehearsal dinner takes place immediately after the wedding rehearsal. After all, the couple, their wedding party, and immediate family members are gathered to rehearse the ceremony, so it makes sense to take the group to dinner afterward.

In addition to being a thoughtful way to show gratitude, rehearsal dinners are also an excellent time to introduce friends and family members to one another. And since it’s typically a more casual affair than the wedding, your VIP guests can kick back and unwind before the busyness of the weekend.

But that begs the question: Does the rehearsal dinner have to be the night before the wedding?

The answer is a resounding no! While you do need to consider several things when timing your rehearsal dinner, there is no rule that it must take place on the eve of your wedding. In fact, some venues do not schedule rehearsals the night before if your wedding isn’t on a Saturday. For instance, if you are hosting a Sunday brunch wedding (how fun!), another couple may have the venue booked for a Saturday wedding. In that case, your wedding rehearsal may take place on Thursday or Friday.

Regardless of when your rehearsal is scheduled, you are not required to host the rehearsal dinner on the same night. However, there are some considerations to keep in mind as you map out your wedding week. So if you are starting to plan your rehearsal dinner, don’t forget to factor in these important details when picking the right date.

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!

Your Wedding Venue’s Rehearsal Schedule

There’s a reason rehearsal dinners usually follow the rehearsal — it makes a lot of sense since everyone is already together. But do not start planning your party based on assumptions! Confirm the rehearsal schedule with your venue and officiant to ensure you and your crew know when and where to show up. From there, you can determine if the timing makes sense to host the rehearsal dinner on the same evening based on your guest list and any predetermined plans for the week.

Your Preferred Rehearsal Dinner Venue

You may need to adjust your schedule depending on your preferred location for the rehearsal dinner. Of course, there are no restrictions if you’re hosting at home or a loved one’s residence. However, some public spaces—like parks, galleries, and historical sites—have limited openings for private use. Popular restaurants may also add a surcharge for reservations during peak times, which can impact your rehearsal dinner budget. So if you have your heart set on a particular place, consult with the venue contact to discuss their booking parameters before setting a date.

(Let’s Get Rehearsed editor’s note: For more on venues, check out our article on choosing the perfect venue for you and take a look at our favorite venues in the Blue Ridge Mountains!)

Your Guest’s Travel Plans

If grandma gets into town the day before your wedding, you will probably want to hold off on the rehearsal dinner until she can join the festivities. The same goes for everyone on your VIP guest list, even those who do not have an explicit role in the rehearsal. Traditionally, this would include wedding party members’ plus-ones, out-of-town guests, and other people who make the cut. Once you have curated the guest list and extended the invitation to your loved ones, confirm their travel plans to schedule pre-wedding events to include them.

(Let’s Get Rehearsed editor’s note: For more advice, check out our article on how to curate the perfect guest list and say thank you with our list of the best wedding rehearsal dinner favors.)

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!

Your Ideal Rehearsal Dinner Vibe

Depending on how you envision your rehearsal dinner, it might be wise to buffer the schedule with a day for rest and recovery. For example, do you imagine the celebration going into the wee hours with a hefty bar tab? If so, you and your guests probably will not want to nurse a hangover at the wedding the following day. However, if you are planning a low-key game night at your home, it’s reasonable to end the night early enough for everyone to get a good night’s sleep. (A 10 p.m. farewell is a good rule of thumb!) You know your group’s vibe best, so plan accordingly.

(Let’s Get Rehearsed editor’s note: For more ideas, check out our articles on how to plan a perfect wedding rehearsal brunch and how to make your rehearsal dinner different than your wedding!)

Every wedding experience is unique, so don’t feel as if you must abide by unwritten “rules.” The only correct answer is the one that makes sense for you, your partner, and your guests! Whether that’s a rehearsal dinner the night before or three days prior to the wedding, one thing remains the same: Your guests will love the opportunity to celebrate your love at any moment!

If you’re planning a rehearsal dinner, don’t miss some of these must-read resources:

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.

Julianne Smith
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