Wedding Rehearsal Dinner Invitation Etiquette: Wording, Timing & More
By Amanda Zack, Lantern Room Creative
When planning a wedding rehearsal dinner guest list, one of the most important steps is choosing who makes the cut. The total headcount determines every aspect, from your budget to your preferred venue. But once you’ve curated an ideal guest list, you have to consider the next step: how you’ll invite everyone to the rehearsal dinner.
By the time you’re ready to spread the word, your guests will have already received the wedding invitation. The anticipation will already be brewing for your celebration!
So when it comes time to invite people to the rehearsal dinner, do you need to send a luxury suite that rivals your wedding invitations? Or can a quick-and-dirty text message suffice? Here’s a guide to the right way to send rehearsal dinner invitations.
Don’t miss our blog post filled with more wedding rehearsal dinner invitation ideas and designs!
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!
Do we have to send out paper invitations for the rehearsal dinner or can we send online invitations?
No, you do not! While tradition calls for sending wedding invitations via snail mail, rehearsal dinners tend to evoke a much more laidback attitude — and thus, their invitations don’t have to carry as much weight or formality.
Nowadays, sending e-invites for your rehearsal dinner is perfectly acceptable. Sites like Paperless Post, Greenvelope, and Punchbowl have made this a simple, sustainable, and enjoyable experience for the sender and the recipient. Eco-minded couples will appreciate the opportunity to cut down on waste!
Of course, there’s no denying the impact of beautifully-designed stationery. Paper invitations continue to be the primary choice for engaged couples planning a rehearsal dinner, as it provides a tangible reminder that can live on a guest’s fridge. (You might even include a sweet engagement photo!) Plus, paper invitations are typically more convenient for older guests and others who may not use their email accounts regularly.
So, digital invitations or traditional stationery? That’s your call. But whatever you choose, please don’t invite people via text message or mention it in casual conversation. Your rehearsal dinner is a special occasion and deserves proper recognition! And, of course, an official invitation makes it much easier for your guests to remember and mark their calendars!
When do I need to send out rehearsal dinner invitations?
The only rule of thumb for timing is to wait until your wedding invitations are sent! Otherwise, it would be strange for guests to receive a rehearsal dinner invitation without realizing the wedding was scheduled. So save the surprise for the wedding invitations and follow up with rehearsal dinner invites afterward!
Whether by snail mail or email, it’s recommended to send invitations around four weeks before the wedding. This provides enough time for guests to plan accordingly and for you to collect RSVPs, but it won’t steal the spotlight from your wedding invitations.
Some couples prefer to include rehearsal dinner details inside the wedding invitation suite to save on postage. Traditionally, this approach has been met with disapproval since the wedding and rehearsal dinner are two separate events. However, modern weddings are known to break the norms and redefine “etiquette.” So if you opt for this route, just be careful which invitations you include rehearsal dinner details!
Shop this rehearsal dinner invitation: Wildflowers Rehearsal Dinner Invitation Made by: red line cs
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!
What should I include in my rehearsal dinner invitations?
Rehearsal dinner invitations tend to be simple and straightforward, making it easy to put together the details and send them out. There’s no need for response cards or accommodations details — you simply need to include the basic information:
The couple’s names
The host (if not the couple)
Date and time
Location with address
How and when to RSVP
You may also include additional details, like a preferred dress code (great for themed parties!), parking recommendations, or meal options.
Should my rehearsal dinner invitations match the wedding invitations?
That’s entirely up to you! While many couples prefer having matching stationery across all events, others appreciate the opportunity to mix up the design. If you are hosting a themed rehearsal dinner, a fun, off-beat invitation will get your guests excited! For instance, an underwater-themed invitation would fit perfectly for a rehearsal dinner held at an aquarium without feeling disjointed from the rest of your wedding’s design theme.
Remember: Your wedding and rehearsal dinner are entirely separate events! There’s no need for everything to match, especially considering only a small percentage of your wedding guests will see it in the first place. Of course, if you want everything to match, go for it! Your wedding, your rehearsal dinner, your rules.
Selecting and sending wedding invitations can feel like a daunting task. Picking the right design, assembling the cards, addressing the envelopes, adding stamps, and taking them to the post office is enough to turn anyone off of hosting another event!
Fortunately, rehearsal dinner invitations are nothing of the sort. You’re only sending a small number to your closest friends and family, so let go of the pressure and have fun with it. And if you never want to stuff an envelope again, go with a digital option!
For more wedding rehearsal dinner invitations, check out our Unique Rehearsal Dinner Invitation Ideas post and shop our wedding rehearsal dinner invitation designs.
If you’re planning a rehearsal dinner, don’t miss some of these must-read resources:
Do We Need A Wedding Planner For Our Rehearsal Dinner or Welcome Party?
Does The Rehearsal Dinner Have To Be The Night Before The Wedding?
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.