Keep Your Rehearsal Dinner Guests Entertained With These Creative Ideas
By Meghan Ely, OFD Consulting
In years past, wedding rehearsal dinners used to be pretty straightforward. A nice meal, a few toasts, maybe a slideshow if someone was feeling ambitious. But these days? Couples are pulling out all the stops to turn their pre-wedding celebration into something unforgettable.
If you're wondering how to keep your loved ones smiling (and off their phones) all evening long, you're in the right place. From interactive activities to unexpected entertainment, we've rounded up fresh ideas that go beyond dinner and drinks. Think of this as your go-to guide for transforming your rehearsal dinner into an experience your guests will rave about (before the wedding even starts!).
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!
Consider a Photo Booth
Everyone loves a good photo op, and a photo booth is the perfect way to capture the fun without chasing down your photographer all night. Add in a few props or a backdrop that matches your wedding aesthetic, and you’ve got yourself a crowd-pleaser.
Kristin Hubbard, CEO of Our DJ Rocks, says, “One of my favorite things to say is: photo strips are like dollar bills - no one throws them away. Even though photo booths have been around for decades, there’s always a fresh way to reinvent them. They capture a memory, double as a take-home favor, and create an interactive experience your guests will rave about.”
You’ll end up with photos of friends and family laughing together, striking poses, and genuinely enjoying themselves. Bonus points if your guests get to take a copy home - it doubles as a fun keepsake!
Let Guests Create Something
Want your loved ones to feel even more connected to your celebration? Give them a chance to get creative.
“Set out some cupcakes, frosting, and toppings, and let guests decorate their own,” recommends Craig Peterman, Owner of Craig Peterman Photography & Videography. “Then have someone judge them, bonus points if it’s the flower girl. It’s goofy, lighthearted, and keeps people entertained without it being a big production.”
From sweet treats to custom scents, there are endless ways to turn creativity into entertainment.
Keith Willard, Owner of Keith Willard Events, agrees, saying, “I created a storefront at the rehearsal dinner where guests could come up and choose from multiple scents that they then combined to create their own unique perfume. They then used their own scents as perfume for the next day.”
These types of interactive stations give your rehearsal dinner an extra layer of meaning. Plus, they’re perfect for guests who might not be into games or dancing.
Photo credit: Halie Child 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!
Incorporate a Theme
Themes aren’t just for the wedding day! A themed rehearsal dinner adds personality and gives your guests a hint at what’s to come.
“A themed dinner is always a hit,” confirms Liney Castle, Planner at Twickenham House and Hall. “Laid-back BBQs, a selection of food trucks, or even a wine pairing with an Italian dinner complete with a gelato bar. These allow guests and the couple to enjoy a laid-back evening of fellowship and celebration before the more structured wedding day arrives.”
Best of all, a theme can make planning easier. Once you’ve landed on a vibe, the rest of the decisions start to fall into place.
Let’s Get Rehearsed Editor’s Note: For more inspiration on choosing a theme for your wedding rehearsal dinner or welcome party, check out our list of top 10 rehearsal dinner themes.
Bring In Live Entertainment
Live entertainment can really elevate your rehearsal dinner. Maybe it’s a guitarist strumming during dinner or even a caricature artist to keep things lighthearted and fun.
Brittany Branson, Destination Live Wedding Artist at By Brittany Branson, notes, “Commissioning an artist to craft a live painting over a few hours provides a wonderful form of non-musical entertainment that blends seamlessly into a quiet or more relaxed dining atmosphere. The artist could capture the jovial and anticipatory scene of the dinner, or produce a portrait painting of the happy couple.”
It doesn’t have to be over-the-top to make an impression. A little live flair adds energy to the evening and makes it feel more like a curated event rather than just a pre-wedding dinner.
Try Interactive Games
You don’t have to turn your rehearsal dinner into game night (unless that’s your vibe!), but a few interactive games can go a long way in keeping guests engaged. These small touches spark conversation and bring together guests who may not yet know each other.
McKenzi Taylor, Founder/Owner of Cactus Collective Weddings, shares a fun idea from one of her weddings: “Upon arrival, each person got either the name of a U.S. state or the name of a U.S. state capital pinned to their back. Guests were not told what state or city they got and were instructed to find their match among the other partygoers. They were not allowed to say the names of states or cities until they were positive they had found their match.”
Games also take the pressure off your guests to make small talk. They’ll have a built-in reason to laugh, chat, and connect.
Let’s Get Rehearsed Editor’s Note: For more easy activities, be sure to shop our collection of rehearsal dinner printable games and check out these unique and super fun rehearsal dinner game ideas.
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!
Mix Up Your Music
We all know music sets the tone, so don’t be afraid to get creative with your playlist. You could opt for something personalized, like your favorite love songs as a couple, or go full nostalgia with tunes from your high school or college days.
“From an entertainment perspective, I’ve found that at rehearsal dinners you can go deeper with your music selection and focus on styles or genres you may love, but may not be a good fit for the actual wedding,” explains Michael Coombs, Owner & DJ at Michael Coombs Entertainment. “I have clients who are big afro-house fans, and for their rehearsal dinner, we’re going to play all their favorite afro-house tracks and turn it into a more festival feel, which really suits their personality.”
A great playlist keeps the energy up and fills any lulls between courses or toasts. Whether you’re working with a DJ, a Bluetooth speaker, or a Spotify playlist you’ve curated yourself, music is an easy way to build the mood you want.
Let’s Get Rehearsed Editor’s Note: For more, be sure to shop our collection of rehearsal dinner printable song request cards, and check out this advice on hiring vendors for your rehearsal dinner.
Remember What’s Most Important
At the end of the day, your rehearsal dinner is about bringing the people you love together to celebrate this exciting moment. It doesn’t need to be Pinterest-perfect or packed with activities to be meaningful.
Michelle Jackson, Owner of Bambino International, emphasizes, “Don't overthink it. Every event you plan is part of the overall experience you're creating for yourselves and your guests. The key is to make each day feel personal and genuine to who you are as a couple. When that's your focus, nothing will overshadow the other as each piece builds into your story and becomes a meaningful layer.”
So as you plan ways to keep everyone entertained, don’t lose sight of why you’re all gathered in the first place. The laughter, connection, and memories are what your guests will take home with them, not whether the oyster bar was shucked to perfection!
Let’s Get Rehearsed Editor’s Note: For more, be sure to check this out on ways to break the ice with guests the night before the wedding, and tips on not outdoing the wedding with your rehearsal the night before.
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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.