Wedding Rehearsal Dinner Budget: How Much & Who Pays?
By Amanda Zack, Lantern Room Creative
Are you trying to determine your wedding rehearsal dinner budget? With a wedding on the horizon, you may experience initial butterflies as you dive into the planning process and figure out how to spend wisely.
Many couples host a rehearsal dinner to kick off the wedding weekend and celebrate with loved ones. But, contrary to belief, rehearsal dinners don't have to cost a fortune. Most rehearsal dinners are much more casual compared to weddings.
So, let's chat about all things rehearsal dinner related, from the rehearsal dinner budget and the average costs to the details of your celebration.
Photo credit: Donna Von Bruening from Outdoor Oyster Bake Rehearsal Dinner
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!
Average rehearsal dinner budget
It helps to have a starting point to guide you with your budget, so here's a glimpse at what to expect. In 2023, couples spent an average of $2,750 on their rehearsal dinner (The Knot, 2024). Factors contributing to this total include the venue, geographical location, catering, and guest count.
(Let’s Get Rehearsed editor’s note: For more advice on rehearsal dinner budgeting, check out ‘6 Ways to Save Money On Your Wedding Rehearsal Dinner’ and ‘Do We Need To Hire Vendors For Our Wedding Rehearsal Dinner?’)
Be mindful that your region may also affect your rehearsal dinner budget. For instance, if you're planning an international destination wedding, be prepared to spend at least $4,000 to 5,000 on your pre-wedding dinner. On the other hand, local wedding celebrations are typically more budget-friendly.
Of course, the average doesn't reflect the entire range. While some couples host cost-effective backyard dinners, others may strive for a luxury dinner that rivals their wedding budget.
As you set your rehearsal dinner budget, consider your vision. Do you have any must-haves, such as decor or cuisine preferences? Is there a specific venue you have in mind for the event? Assess the details as you implement your budget and set things into motion.
Who pays for the rehearsal dinner?
Traditionally, the parents of the partner who are not paying for the wedding pay the rehearsal bill. However, most modern weddings are known for putting a spin on tradition and setting the tone for new customs.
If one set of parents helps pay for the wedding, it's often customary for the other set of parents to assist with the rehearsal dinner. Or if both sets of parents contribute to the wedding, the couple may be responsible for the rehearsal dinner. But by no means should you ask guests to pay for the rehearsal dinner!
These days, it's more common for couples to pay for their wedding and rehearsal dinner, as the average age of marriage has increased to the mid-30s. If you fall into this category, the best rule of thumb is to consult with your partner to determine the logistics of your spending plan. What fits your budget – a lowkey dinner party or an upscale event?
Photo credit: Donna Von Bruening from Outdoor Oyster Bake Rehearsal Dinner
Creating your rehearsal dinner budget
As you sit down to organize the details with your partner, discuss the following:
Guest list: How many people do you plan to invite? A ballpark figure will show you how much to account for your rehearsal dinner budget.
Food preferences: Cuisine can make or break your budget. Think about what type of cuisine you want. Are you leaning towards family style or a five-course meal? Do you want Southern food or French? If you wish to reduce costs, you can never go wrong with a potluck! You save on your budget, and everyone gets to bring their favorite foods.
Beverages: Consider your guests' drinking habits. Will you need an open bar, or can you get away with providing 2-3 drink tickets per guest for the evening? You can also substitute a beer and wine bar to save on the cost of a full bar.
Décor: Do you want to personalize the venue? Decide whether you’d like specialized décor or prefer to keep everything simple with the venue's natural charm.
Entertainment: Entertainment is versatile. You can go with live music, such as a piano player or string quartet. Or you can keep everything lowkey with a curated playlist. Consider your must-haves with your partner and determine whether it makes sense to include them in your budget.
Photo credit: Donna Von Bruening from Outdoor Oyster Bake Rehearsal Dinner
With these factors in mind, you can start your search for venues and review their menus to gain a clearer idea of how much you would spend per person. Note that some venues charge an additional site fee for booking, so be prepared to include that expense in your rehearsal dinner budget.
(Let’s Get Rehearsed editor’s note: For more on venues, check out our tips on how to select the perfect venue and these gorgeous venues in the Blue Ridge Mountains.)
If the idea of touring venues feels overwhelming, know that your location doesn't have to be expensive. Instead, consider taking a creative route, such as hosting a rehearsal dinner in a backyard or a brewery.
Add up the numbers and see if you feel comfortable with the costs. If it's too high, consider how you can reduce expenses. For instance, you may be able to replace the bar with a BYOB option (if your venue allows it!), use repurposed decorations from your home, or DIY your decor.
Photo credit: Donna Von Bruening from Outdoor Oyster Bake Rehearsal Dinner
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!
Make your rehearsal dinner special
While rehearsal dinners may not seem as show-stopping as the wedding, it's still essential to start planning and budgeting early, so you don't run into any surprise costs. So kickstart your rehearsal dinner budget today to gain peace of mind, enjoy your celebrations, and make the most of your memories.
(Let’s Get Rehearsed editor’s note: For more on planning, check out our 7 steps for planning a wedding rehearsal dinner and the best kept secrets about planning a wedding rehearsal dinner!)
If you’re planning a rehearsal dinner, don’t miss some of these must-read resources:
Selecting The Right Wedding Rehearsal Dinner Venue or Location
Do We Need To Hire Vendors For Our Wedding Rehearsal Dinner?
5 Wedding Rehearsal Dinner Venues In The Blue Ridge Mountains
About Let’s Get Rehearsed!
Welcome to stress-free and easy wedding rehearsal dinner planning and ideas! Let’s Get Rehearsed is the best, most helpful planning and inspiration resource for all things wedding rehearsal dinners, wedding welcome parties, and the night before the wedding celebrations. If you’re in rehearsal dinner planning mode or looking for unique ideas, check out our real rehearsal dinner and welcome party photos, rehearsal dinner ideas and inspiration, advice for planning a wedding rehearsal dinner, and a rehearsal dinner printable and download shop.
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Let’s Get Rehearsed is all about getting you rehearsed before the wedding, so you can get to the celebration!
Amanda Zack is the owner of Lantern Room Creative, a boutique copywriting agency that specializes in brand messaging and digital marketing solutions for creatives and wedding professionals.