How to Plan a Rehearsal Dinner for Your Destination Wedding
By Meghan Ely, OFD Consulting
You’ve made it to the destination of your dreams. Now, it’s time to kick off the celebration! When it comes to destination weddings, the rehearsal dinner is a special moment to gather your favorite people and set the tone for the weekend ahead.
Of course, planning a rehearsal dinner from miles away can feel a little more complex than hosting one close to home. But don’t worry. Just because it takes a bit more effort doesn’t mean it has to be stressful.
In fact, destination rehearsal dinners often end up being some of the most memorable celebrations of the weekend. Here’s what a handful of industry pros recommend when it comes to creating unforgettable moments with your nearest and dearest before the big day begins.
Photo credit: Lucy Struve Photography
Find a fun venue
When you’re planning a rehearsal dinner for your destination wedding, your venue sets the vibe for the evening. Mixing things up gives guests a fresh experience and helps each event feel distinct.
Jen Avey, VP of Marketing at DestinationWeddings.com, notes, “For your rehearsal dinner, we recommend choosing a different venue/setting from where your guests will be for the wedding day. This allows you to experience different scenery throughout your destination wedding locale. For example, if you're getting married on the beach, host your rehearsal dinner on a rooftop terrace or lush garden. Similarly, select a menu that showcases variety from what your guests will be eating the night of your wedding.”
This is your chance to have a little fun with the vibe. If your wedding venue leans formal, make the rehearsal dinner more relaxed—think barefoot by the water or rustic chic in a cozy bistro. On the flip side, if your wedding will be casual, you can use the rehearsal dinner to dress things up a bit. Either way, picking a different venue gives your guests a fuller experience of the destination!
Photo credit: Mandee Johnson Photography
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Start planning early
Planning from afar can be a challenge, so give yourself plenty of time to coordinate the details. Venues in popular destination spots tend to book up quickly, so starting early means you’ll have more options and less stress later on.
“If your destination wedding will be a micro wedding with 50 people or fewer, you may need to start planning it earlier than you think,” reveals McKenzi Taylor, Founder/Owner of Gather After. “I see people start looking at booking the rehearsal dinner 3-6 months out, but I think they SHOULD start looking 6-12 months out ideally, especially with a destination wedding to give their guests more time to plan their travel.”
It also helps to work closely with your wedding planner or local vendors who know the area well. They can recommend hidden-gem venues, handle communication with staff, and make sure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes.
Photo credit: Nicole Chan Photography
Think beyond a typical rehearsal
At a destination wedding, the rehearsal dinner often doubles as the welcome party, so why not make it a true celebration? Since your guests have likely traveled far to be there, this is your chance to thank them for making the journey. Consider turning your “dinner” into a relaxed, all-guest affair.
Jamie Chang, Owner and Destination Wedding Planner at Mango Muse Events, shares, “A rehearsal dinner at a destination wedding very often isn’t an actual ‘rehearsal dinner’. Meaning it’s not a dinner that happens after a ceremony rehearsal. But the concept of gathering a group before the wedding is almost always a part of a destination wedding. What that looks like, who is invited, and how it’s constructed can vary, and that's part of the fun! It could be a daytime event, an outdoor activity, just drinks, or an actual dinner.”
You don’t need to stick to the traditional sit-down dinner formula. Picture mingling with your guests over tropical cocktails, hosting a beachside barbecue, or enjoying a wine tasting at a charming local vineyard. The goal is to make everyone feel welcome and excited for the celebrations ahead.
Photo credit: Nicole Chan Photography
Remember: your wedding is what’s most important
With so many moving parts, it’s easy to get caught up in the details. But don’t forget why you’re there in the first place! The rehearsal dinner is just one part of your larger celebration, and it doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful.
“Keep it simple and personal,” recommends Craig Peterman, Photographer & Videographer at Craig Peterman Photography & Videography. “The big day is where the real party is; the rehearsal is more relaxed and a time to unwind after travel.”
Your guests aren’t coming for the floral arrangements or playlist. They’re coming for you. So, whether things go exactly as planned or not, the best part of the evening will be the laughter shared before the big day.
Planning a rehearsal dinner for your destination wedding might take a little extra effort, but it’s so worth it. It’s your chance to soak in the joy of having your favorite people all in one place. When you keep the experience intentional and true to your style, everything else naturally falls into place!
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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.