How To Create a Locale-Inspired Wedding Rehearsal Dinner
By Meghan Ely, OFD Consulting
Local celebrations have a special charm to them, showcasing unique features of the area and supporting small businesses. They also promote sustainability, focusing on locally-sourced cuisine and native plant life. To plan a locale-inspired wedding rehearsal dinner, consider the factors that make your destination stand out. Are there famous landmarks, historic districts, or specific traditions? What cuisine is the area known for? Does the town have a distinctive landscape, like a desert, river, or metropolitan?
There are many ways to incorporate your location into your rehearsal dinner and make it a memorable experience for you and your guests. Wondering where to begin? Keep reading to get creative ideas from pros in the wedding industry!
Photo credit: Amy Sims 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!
Opt For Locally-Sourced Food
One of the best ways to immerse your guests in the local culture is through your cuisine. Jen Sulak of Weirdo Weddings recommends bringing in "locally sourced food, drink, and special desserts." Doing so adds a personal touch to your rehearsal dinner.
"Pull from local fan favorite cuisine or more subtle local ingredients,” adds Samantha Leenheer of House of Joy. “You can find inspiration from local festivals and the city's top restaurants. Whether your destination is known for its ravioli or other specialty dishes, it's an excellent opportunity to "give your guests and your rehearsal dinner a taste of the town.”
(Let’s Get Rehearsed editor’s note: For more on wedding rehearsal dinner menus, check out our customizable wedding rehearsal dinner menu and bar menu printables)
If you and your partner plan to serve alcohol, reach out to your favorite brewing company. Local brewers may have a taproom perfect for hosting your rehearsal dinner. Michelle Vining of LOLA Event Productions notes that "some brewers may even be open to working with you to collaborate on a 'unique to the couple' brew to serve your guests." Nothing's more festive than a custom local beverage!
Include Local Traditions And Landmarks
Every town has noteworthy characteristics that make them stand out. Consider the location's culture, food, and music when planning your rehearsal dinner. For instance, event hairstylist Alicia Igess Jones explains that "Memphis is known for barbecue, blues, rock-n-roll and the muddy Mississippi River," so a casual backyard barbecue would offer an authentic Memphis vibe to guests.
(Let’s Get Rehearsed editor’s note: For more locally inspired wedding rehearsal dinner ideas, check out this Maine coast themed wedding rehearsal dinner and this outdoor oyster bake where the couple arrived by boat!)
You can also incorporate the town's attractions into your rehearsal dinner. Vining offers an example of Chicago and its famous river, suggesting you can show it off by hosting a dinner cruise on the water. Popular attractions offer a unique introduction to your wedding weekend.
Kimberly Sisti of SISTI & CO shares Vining’s sentiment, proposing an activity pairing with dinner. "If the weather is comfortable, a nice dinner under the stars is an excellent way to show off your location and offer your guests something different," she says. So consider going beyond a traditional dinner and adding a local activity to the itinerary!
Photo credit: Anastasiia Photography
Blend Local Elements Into Your Décor
While you may save the extravagant décor for the main event, you can still infuse a local touch to your rehearsal dinner with centerpieces and floral arrangements. If you want to get creative with table cards, Kelley Nudo of Momental Designs suggests using "names that have ties to the local area or images of local hotspots or iconic scenes." Landmarks, popular shops, and street names are great contenders for this option.
(Let’s Get Rehearsed editor’s note: For more wedding rehearsal dinner decor ideas, check out ‘How To Make Your Wedding Rehearsal Dinner Different From Your Wedding’ and our collection of wedding rehearsal dinner decor you’ll love!)
You can also complement the local landscape by adding native flowers and plants to your floral arrangements. "Your florals are a great way to pull in the colors of your city and mimic the locale in your tabletop design," confirms Leenheer.
If you can't include live flowers, Sulak advises bringing in "textures, shapes, and colors" that represent the area in your design. Gain inspiration by exploring your town and browsing Pinterest.
In addition, you can lean into your venue's natural aesthetic. Play with your "table linens, flowers, and your plate and glassware," offers Leenheer. These simple everyday details can leave a lasting impression on your guests. Adding a local spin to your rehearsal dinner can be as simple as giving your décor some love!
Bring Local Entertainment Onboard
So far, we've discussed ways to immerse your wedding guests in the community through taste and sight, but what about sound? Beyond locally-sourced cuisine and charming décor, you can set the stage with live music. Nora Sheils of Bridal Bliss and Rock Paper Coin emphasizes hiring "local entertainment that showcases your location and what it's known for."
For example, New Orleans and New York are known for jazz, whereas Nashville and Knoxville are famous for country music. "Hiring a local band is a fun way to incorporate your locale into the celebration,” Sisti affirms. “This helps set the mood and gets guests into the party spirit.”
Kevin Dennis of Fantasy Sound Event Services adds, “Collaborating with your DJ on what kind of vibe you’d like to set for your guests is key, especially if you’re opting for a weekend-long celebration. Not only will the rehearsal dinner give your loved ones a preview of what’s to come, but it’s a great way to get the party started. Out-of-town guests will feel super welcomed by a locale-inspired playlist.”
Whether you opt for a live band or a local DJ, you can rest easy knowing your music will add a cherry on top for your locale-inspired rehearsal dinner.
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!
Get Creative With Your Locally-Inspired Vision
Planning a rehearsal dinner with local elements is an excellent way to highlight the destination and celebrate what makes the area unique. It also allows you to support local businesses and practice sustainability. As you lean into the local flavors and aesthetics, you can cultivate a community-centered experience.
Ready to roll your sleeves up for your rehearsal dinner? Make sure to include the following in your locale-inspired checklist:
● Source your cuisine and beverages locally.
● Immerse guests in local traditions and landmarks.
● Infuse the town's unique characteristics into your décor.
● Hire local entertainment.
Locale-inspired events may seem challenging to plan, but with the guidance of your wedding planner, you'll be able to personalize an unforgettable rehearsal dinner with your closest friends and family. If you're leaning toward this theme, bookmark this blog post and revisit it to assist you with the details!
If you’re planning a rehearsal dinner, don’t miss some of these must-read resources:
How To Make Your Wedding Rehearsal Dinner Different From Your Wedding
Sweet & Charming Pre-Wedding Ceremony & Rehearsal Dinner in Maine
Outdoor Oyster Bake Wedding Rehearsal Dinner In South Carolina
About Let’s Get Rehearsed!
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Meghan Ely is the owner of wedding PR and wedding marketing firm OFD Consulting. Ely is a sought-after speaker, adjunct professor in the field of public relations, and a self-professed royal wedding enthusiast.