How Far Should Your Rehearsal Dinner Be From Your Wedding Venue?
By Meghan Ely, OFD Consulting
When you start planning your rehearsal dinner, it’s easy to assume it should be close to your wedding venue. After all, you’re literally rehearsing there, right? While keeping things nearby can definitely make the schedule easier, it’s not a requirement, and plenty of couples choose spots that are a short drive away.
What really matters is how the distance fits into your overall timeline and guest experience. Travel time, where everyone is staying, and how you plan to get from point A to point B can all make a big difference in how smooth the evening feels. To help you decide what makes the most sense for your celebration, here’s what a handful of wedding pros recommend when choosing the right location for your rehearsal dinner.
Photo credit: Rebecca Love Photography
Think about whether guests will have access to transportation
Before you fall in love with a rehearsal dinner spot across town, take a minute to think about how everyone is getting there. Will most guests be driving themselves, or are they relying on rides, rideshares, or hotel shuttles? If the answer is “it depends,” choosing a location that’s easy to reach can save everyone a lot of stress.
Colton Simmons, Owner & Photographer at Colton Simmons Photography, says, “If you have guests who are traveling in from across the country and world, they most likely will have limited transportation options, so being close to the venue and their hotel is key for ease of access.”
A quicker route means people can arrive relaxed and on time, which is exactly the vibe you want before walking through your ceremony. The easier you make it for guests to show up, the more they can focus on enjoying the evening with you.
Photo credit: Rebecca Love Photography
Consider where people are staying
If you have a hotel block (or even just know where most people booked rooms), that’s a great place to start. Keeping things close to where guests are staying can make the night feel more seamless.
“If options are limited, bring the party to where people already are,” suggests Craig Peterman, Photographer at Craig Peterman Photography. “You can host a catered rehearsal dinner at a rental home, hotel event space, or a covered outdoor area at the venue itself. Another route is a welcome drinks gathering at a bar or lounge instead of a full seated meal, which cuts down on logistics but still gives everyone time together.”
That doesn’t mean you have to stay in the same neighborhood, but it’s smart to think about how many different directions people will be coming from. If half your group is downtown and the other half is near the venue, you might aim for something in between, or lean toward what makes the most sense for your VIPs who will be at the rehearsal itself.
Photo credit: Leslie DeAnn Photography
Provide transportation if needed
For those who don’t have transportation, a shuttle or even organized rideshares can take the pressure off. Plus, it adds a nice touch of hospitality that people always appreciate.
Liney Castle, Planner at Twickenham House and Hall, shares, “A big tip for choosing a rehearsal dinner location is to think about the formality and size of the event, choosing a location that suits a larger or more intimate gathering. This location should not be far from the wedding venue or guest accommodations and should be easily accessible if you are not providing transportation to and from. If the rehearsal dinner location is a bit further from the venue, then transportation should be provided.”
Providing transportation also helps keep your timeline on track. When everyone arrives at the same time, you can start the rehearsal and dinner without delays, ensuring there’s less waiting around and more time soaking it all in.
Photo credit: Leslie DeAnn Photography
Think 20 minutes, max
There’s no hard rule about distance, but many pros agree that around 20 minutes of travel time is a sweet spot. It’s close enough that guests won’t feel like they’re on a road trip, but far enough that you still have flexibility to choose a venue you love.
“We recommend opting for a place that’s easily accessible via rideshare and within city limits, keeping the travel time to under 15-20 minutes,” notes Kevin Dennis, Owner of Fantasy Sound Event Services. “While it doesn’t necessarily have to be next door to your venue, going too far off the beaten path can be a hassle for Uber, and it can make for some confused guests if they’re unfamiliar with the area.”
Anything longer than that can start to feel like a chore, especially after a long day of travel or pre-wedding events. When in doubt, shorter and simpler usually wins.
Remember: Your rehearsal can set the tone
Your rehearsal dinner is often the first official event of the weekend, so it sets the mood for everything that follows. An easy flow from rehearsal to dinner helps everyone feel comfortable and excited for the big day ahead.
Simmons emphasizes, “Your rehearsal dinner/welcome party sets the tone for the entire wedding weekend. If you can make this as easy as possible to attend and enjoy, that vibe is going to carry throughout the weekend.”
A little extra thought about location and logistics now can go a long way in creating a welcoming start to your wedding weekend.
Peterman agrees, adding, “Whatever you choose, make it easy on your guests. The goal of rehearsal night is to relax nerves and connect, not send everyone on a multi-stop scavenger hunt across town.”
The best rehearsal dinner location is the one that fits your plans and your people. Keep convenience in mind and trust that if the night feels fun, you’ve chosen the right spot to kick off your celebration!
About Let’s Get Rehearsed!
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Meghan Ely is the owner of wedding PR and marketing firm OFD Consulting and the founder of OFD Collective, a membership community for wedding pros looking to elevate their visibility. She’s a sought-after speaker and a self-professed royal wedding enthusiast.