Tips for Budgeting for Rehearsal Dinner

By Meghan Ely, OFD Consulting

Let’s be honest - by the time your wedding’s rehearsal dinner rolls around, you’re probably running on a mix of excitement, nerves, and anticipation. It’s the night before your wedding! The last thing you need is unnecessary stress. That’s why a little planning can go a long way in ensuring your rehearsal dinner is fun, relaxed, and - most importantly - not a logistical nightmare.

Think of it as the pre-game to your wedding day. It’s a time to gather your favorite people, eat some great food, and soak in the moment before you say I do. But before you start dreaming about the perfect celebration, let’s cover a few things that will make your life easier—like choosing the right spot, handling sneaky costs, and making sure Uncle Bob doesn’t have to yell over the restaurant crowd to give his toast.

Photo Credit: Nicole Henshaw Photography

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!

We sat down with a handful of wedding industry experts to gather their best tips on how to budget for your wedding’s rehearsal dinner and make it a night to remember (for all the right reasons). Here’s what they had to say.

Choose the Right Location

First things first - where’s this dinner happening? You might dream of your favorite restaurant, a cozy backyard setup, or a scenic spot with twinkly lights and all the romantic vibes. But before you commit, let’s talk logistics.

“If possible, keep the rehearsal dinner location as close to the ceremony rehearsal spot or venue as possible,” says Jaime Coast, Artist & Owner of Cotton and Bow. “While arranged transportation isn’t a must-do for the rehearsal, it will save everyone a lot of time (when there’s already so much to do the night before the wedding!) and money if they don’t have to take expensive cab rides or arrange shuttles back and forth to locations far away.”

The last thing you want is your guests stuck in traffic or spending a fortune on Ubers when they should be kicking back with a glass of wine.

And then there’s the money part. Many restaurants have food and beverage minimums, which can sneak up on you if you’re not careful.

“Depending on the location you pick, most restaurant spaces are going to have a food and beverage minimum that you'll need to reach,” explains Alex McClard, Owner & Lead Planner at Vision in White Events. “A lot of times, you won't reach that minimum unless you have a large guest count. Be sure to request an actual menu with pricing before committing to a minimum.”

Nothing ruins the vibe like finding out you need to order way more food (or drinks!) just to hit the minimum spend. If you’re on a tighter budget, consider a laid-back BBQ, a taco bar, or even a pizza-and-wine night - there’s no rule saying it has to be fancy to be fun.

Let’s Get Rehearsed Editor’s note: For more, be sure to check out our outfit guide on what to hear to a casual rehearsal dinner and our top 10 most popular wedding rehearsal dinner themes, including pizza and BBQ!

Photo credit: Manda Weaver Photography

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!

Think About the Little Details

Once you’ve got your venue, it’s time to handle the not-so-fun (but very important) details.

First up: Do you need audio/visual equipment? It might sound extra, but if you plan to have speeches, a slideshow, or even background music to set the mood, this is something you don’t want to overlook.

“Will you need any audio/visual for the rehearsal dinner? Does the location provide them?” asks Angie Johnston, Principal Event Designer & Owner of Sapphire Celebrations. “If not, be prepared for there to be a minimum spend set by an AV company. AV is needed if you are planning speeches that need a microphone, if you’re showing a slideshow, or if you want to provide music to set the ambiance for the room.”

No one wants to be yelling over dinner, trying to give a heartfelt toast, so check ahead!

Next, let’s talk about invitations. You might assume a quick text will do the trick, but depending on the vibe of your rehearsal dinner, you might need something a little more formal.

“When budgeting for the rehearsal dinner, one of the most forgotten-about items is the invitations,” says Coast. “It may surprise couples to learn, especially for formal affairs, that they need to send out invitations to anyone invited to the rehearsal dinner and may even need to budget for plus ones of the wedding party.”

If your dinner is casual, digital invites might work. But for formal affairs (or if your VIP guests expect something more official), printed invitations are the way to go.

“To save money and time on rehearsal dinner invitations, I encourage couples to plan ahead and include a rehearsal dinner card in their [wedding] invitation suite,” Coast suggests. “That way, couples can plan in advance who to invite and gather RSVPs at the same time. Including the rehearsal dinner card along with the wedding invitations also saves on postage since you don’t need to mail two separate envelopes.”

Basically, the earlier you plan, the easier your life will be - future you will thank you!

Let’s Get Rehearsed Editor’s Note: Be sure to shop our full collection of invitations, signs and more designed just for rehearsal dinners and night before celebrations.

Photo credit: Mandee Johnson Photography

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!

Keep It Low-Key

Repeat after me: You do not have to plan an over-the-top, fancy rehearsal dinner for it to be special (unless, of course, that’s exactly what you’ve dreamt of!).

“The rehearsal dinner is a chance to enjoy a relaxed evening with your closest loved ones before the big day,” says Craig Peterman, Owner of Craig Peterman Photography & Videography. “Don’t feel like you need to go all-out for a big extravagant night. Oftentimes, the relaxed, intimate rehearsals are better than the spare-no-expense rehearsals.”

If the thought of a five-course meal and formal speeches makes you break out in a cold sweat, don’t be afraid to keep it simple. Whether it’s a backyard bonfire with s’mores or a cozy dinner at your favorite local spot, the most important thing is that you’re surrounded by the people you love.

Soak It All In

Your rehearsal dinner isn’t just another wedding task - it’s the first moment where everything starts to feel real. It’s the night where you take a step back, look around at your people, and really soak in what’s about to happen.

So, pick a spot that’s easy to get to, budget wisely, remember the little details, and—most importantly—keep it fun and stress-free. No matter how fancy or casual it is, the best rehearsal dinners are the ones where you feel relaxed and ready for the incredible day ahead.

Take a deep breath, raise a glass, and get ready - the best is yet to come!

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Meghan Ely is the owner of wedding PR and wedding marketing firm OFD Consulting. Ely is a sought-after speaker and a self-professed royal wedding enthusiast.