How to Incorporate Cultural Traditions into Your Rehearsal Dinner
By Meghan Ely, OFD Consulting
Planning your rehearsal dinner is a beautiful opportunity to honor where you come from. Incorporating cultural traditions into your celebration adds layers of meaning, helping your guests connect with your story in a way that feels personal. Whether it’s a special food, symbolic toast, or a family ritual passed down through generations, these thoughtful details can set the tone for a heartfelt evening.
After all, your rehearsal dinner or wedding welcome party doesn’t have to be a carbon copy of anyone else’s. By weaving in traditions that reflect your heritage, you can create a memorable experience for your guests while paying tribute to your values. It’s the perfect blend of past and present, and a wonderful way to kick off your wedding festivities with intention! Here’s how you can incorporate cultural traditions into your rehearsal dinner.
Photo credit: Mandee Johnson Photography
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Change Up Your Menu
Food is one of the most meaningful (and delicious!) ways to celebrate culture. Instead of sticking to a standard menu, think about weaving in dishes that reflect your heritage.
Lauren Tankersley, CEO of 828 Venue Management Company, explains, “Rehearsal dinners are great opportunities to play with the food menus and incorporate cultural traditions from one or both partners’ backgrounds. For example, while traditionally served on Christmas Eve, an Italian-American couple could serve the Feast of the Seven Fishes for their rehearsal dinner to pay tribute to their culture. Or the traditional Chinese 10-course wedding dinner & traditional Vietnamese 9-course wedding meal could logistically work better for a smaller group, so a rehearsal dinner could be a good fit for this.”
You don’t have to overhaul the entire menu, either. Even a few thoughtful additions, like a traditional appetizer, dessert, or specialty drink, can carry a lot of significance. Consider pairing these with a quick explanation on the menu card so guests understand the tradition behind the dish.
Weave It Into Your Speech
Rehearsal dinners are already a time for heartfelt words, so why not use your toast to honor your traditions? Sharing a story about how your family celebrates milestones, or referencing a cultural value that’s important to you, adds depth to your speech and makes it more than just a “thank you.”
“Logistically speaking, couples can communicate the cultural traditions to the guests with either a speech or a written story,” says Penny Haas, Owner & Lead Planner at Penny Haas, LLC. “This is a great way to share what is going on and why it is so special to the wedding couple.”
You can also invite a loved one to share a few words about the tradition and its significance. Those personal touches can turn an ordinary toast into a moment everyone remembers.
Photo credit: Lucy Struve Photography
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Consider Your Entertainment
Entertainment is a great place to have fun with cultural traditions. Think about bringing in live music that represents your heritage, like a mariachi band or traditional drummers. Guests will love the energy as it creates an immersive experience that goes beyond the usual playlist.
Lanette Miles, Owner & Chef at Contessa Catering, suggests, “Celebrate through music or dress. Live music or dancers from your background or culturally inspired attire can make the night feel vibrant and connected. It’s a fun way to share tradition with your guests in a way that’s joyful and welcoming.”
Not into live performances? That’s okay! Use Miles’ suggestion of wearing something inspired by your culture. It doesn’t have to be elaborate to be impactful; the goal is to surround yourself and your guests with traditions that make the evening feel uniquely yours.
Communicate With Your Vendors
If you’re incorporating cultural elements, it’s important to share those details with your vendors ahead of time. This way, they can prepare and capture the moments in a way that does justice to your vision.
“Couples should be mindful to communicate the importance of these traditions to them and their lives,” notes Liney Castle, Wedding Planner at Twickenham House and Hall. “This will allow the vendors to assist in carrying out the traditions as best they can. It is always a good idea to give guests and vendors background on the tradition so that everyone can be respectful and honor the tradition as it should be.”
Think of your vendors as partners in the process—they want to help you highlight what matters most. The more they know, the smoother your evening will go.
Photo credit: Lucy Struve 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!
Work With A Planner Who Gets It
Choosing someone who understands your culture (or is open to learning about it) can make all the difference. A great planner will help you brainstorm creative ways to incorporate traditions seamlessly into your event, and that kind of collaboration can take a lot of stress off your plate.
Michael Thomas, Owner of John Michael Catering and Weddings, emphasizes, “Hire a professional planner who is well-versed in your specific traditions. You may have the idea, but you need someone to understand how to make it happen in a rehearsal dinner environment.”
Planners can also act as a bridge between you and your vendors, making sure everyone’s on the same page. Having someone in your corner ensures your traditions are honored in a way that feels natural.
Photo credit: Siobhan Stanton Photography
Remember: It Doesn’t Have To Be Perfect
When it comes to incorporating traditions, avoid putting too much pressure on yourself to get every detail exactly right. If you can capture the essence of the tradition and share it with the people you love, that’s already a success.
“Don’t stress about making every detail perfectly authentic,” reminds Craig Peterman, Photographer & Videographer at Craig Peterman Photography & Videography. “The heart behind it matters more than a checklist.”
Your rehearsal dinner should feel like you. If that means blending elements from both of your backgrounds or putting a modern twist on an old custom, go for it! There’s no rulebook you have to follow. The beauty of traditions is that they evolve with each generation, so give yourself permission to celebrate them in a way that feels joyful and meaningful!
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Meghan Ely is the founder of OFD Consulting, a public relations agency specializing in publicity, speaking engagements, and thought leadership for wedding and event professionals. Through her work, Meghan Ely has helped clients earn placements in top-tier media outlets including The New York Times, Brides, Martha Stewart Weddings, and People, and she also leads the OFD Collective, a PR membership community for industry pros.