By Amanda Zack, Lantern Room Creative

Though your wedding ceremony and reception might take center stage throughout your planning, there’s one more event that needs your full attention: the wedding rehearsal dinner. And let’s not sugarcoat it — planning your wedding rehearsal dinner can be a bit more stressful than you initially assumed!

Often overlooked, the wedding rehearsal dinner kicks off your celebration and allows you to spend quality time with loved ones before the big day. More than just planning the food and drink, you’ll also want to determine who will be there with you (without hurting anyone’s feelings!).

To ensure you and your loved ones enjoy your rehearsal dinner, you’ll want to think about who to invite and how to invite them. Here’s what you need to know before creating your wedding rehearsal dinner guest list.

Photo credit: Carter Rose Photography from Luxurious Rehearsal Dinner at The Crescent Club

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!

Who Should You Invite to the Rehearsal Dinner?

Not sure who exactly scores an invite to your rehearsal dinner? There are a handful of different categories of guests you should consider inviting, so take a look, grab a pen, and start drafting your list!

Immediate family

You should invite both partners' parents, siblings, and grandparents to the rehearsal dinner. Whether any are in your actual wedding party or not, immediate family members are automatic must-haves for the rehearsal dinner guest list. Time always passes by quickly on your actual wedding day, so spending the evening before with your closest family is a great way to celebrate together.

Wedding party

All wedding party members should be on your rehearsal dinner guest list. And, if you’re allowing plus-ones on the big day, this typically means you should also allow them to join for your rehearsal dinner. But, if money or space is an issue, take a look at your wedding party and consider who may be gracious enough to let their plus-one hang back for the night.

(Let’s Get Rehearsed editor’s note: To say thank you to your wedding party, check out our ideas for gifts to give your bridesmaids at your wedding rehearsal dinner and our inspiration for gifts to give your ring bearer and flower girl!)

Extended family

If you’re particularly close with any aunts, uncles, or cousins, consider inviting them to your rehearsal dinner. Of course, determining who gets a seat at the table will depend on a few factors, such as family history, budget, and space at your venue. Keep these things in mind as you think about those you can’t imagine being without as you start your wedding festivities.

Out-of-towners

If couples only have a handful of guests coming from out of town, they’ll sometimes choose to add these people to their rehearsal dinner guest list. However, if you’re hosting a destination wedding with dozens traveling far and wide, this may not be the best option for you.

Consider hosting a party or get-together after your rehearsal dinner to welcome those from out of town. There’s no need to get fancy here, either! Instead, simply invite people to stop by your venue to chat, have a drink or some casual snacks, and spend some time with you and your partner.

Officiant

Your officiant should be on your rehearsal dinner guest list — after all, they’ll be right there when you say, “I do!” Of course, if this person is a part of your family or wedding party, they might already have made the list. But regardless of their relationship with you, know they (and their partner!) should get an invite.

Photo credit: Carter Rose Photography from Luxurious Rehearsal Dinner at The Crescent Club

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!

When Should You Send the Rehearsal Dinner Invitations?

You’ve got your rehearsal dinner guest list down — the next step is figuring out when to let people know they’ve made the cut! Typically, couples send out their rehearsal dinner invites four to six weeks before the big event. However, if you’re hosting a destination wedding, you might want to add a week or two to this timeline to give your guests adequate planning time.

Remember that you should never assume everyone is aware of your rehearsal dinner guest list — some couples keep things small and intimate, while others opt for a larger celebration. No matter who you invite, it’s important to let guests know ahead of time.

(Let’s Get Rehearsed editor’s note: For more on invite timing, check out our article on wedding rehearsal dinner invite etiquette and take a look at our wedding rehearsal dinner etiquette reminders.)

Photo credit: Carter Rose Photography from Luxurious Rehearsal Dinner at The Crescent Club

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!

How Should You Invite Your Rehearsal Dinner Guests?

Real talk: Wedding stationery can get expensive. So if you’re not looking to shell out a part of your budget on rehearsal dinner invitations, that’s okay! E-invites are an excellent option for those hoping to save money for the big day.

(Let’s Get Rehearsed editor’s note: For more invite inspiration, shop our customizable wedding rehearsal dinner invite printables and check out these unique wedding rehearsal dinner invites!)

Rehearsal dinner invites don’t need to be as formal as your wedding invites — so long as everyone you expect to be there knows it! A phone call is perfectly acceptable as well. And, if you’re looking to add to your invitation suite, you’re more than welcome to send invites in the mail.

At the end of the day, your rehearsal dinner is a time for you and your partner to celebrate with your closest friends and family. Your wedding day will be full of memories you won’t forget — but the night before can be just as special! Sit down with your partner to discuss what each of you envisions for your rehearsal dinner and its guest list.

Consider chatting with your immediate family and in-laws as well to make sure you don’t forget anyone who should attend. When it comes to wedding planning, it’s nice to have all hands on deck. Save this guide and remember that it’s your celebration — so make it exactly what you and your partner want it to be!

If you’re planning a rehearsal dinner, don’t miss some of these must-read resources:

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.

Don’t forget to visit the Let’s Get Rehearsed Shop where you can find fun and affordable wedding rehearsal dinner invitations, wedding welcome party signs, printables, digital downloads and more.

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.

Breaking Down The Wedding Rehearsal Dinner Guest List