Wedding Rehearsal Dinner Advice & Welcome Party Planning Tips

Planning a wedding rehearsal dinner or welcome party? Our expert advice will take your hand and guide you through themes, budgets, timelines, and details so your night-before feels seamless, organized, and stress-free

Let’s Get Expert Tips for Planning Your Night-Before the Wedding

From invitations and budgets to timelines and ice breaker activities (and, maybe even guest drama!), our expert wedding rehearsal dinner and welcome party advice will guide you every step of the way. Explore tips and insights designed to make planning your night-before celebration simple, stress-free, and personal

HELPFUL TIPS & ADVICE

How to Make the Night Before Different From the Wedding

YOUR MOST COMMON REHEARSAL QUESTION ANSWERED →

From Advice to Inspiration to IRL: See Real Rehearsal Dinners & Welcome Parties

Gathering expert tips from the pro’s is a great way to feel prepared, but sometimes the best advice comes from seeing how other couples actually pulled it off. Our collection of real rehearsal dinners and welcome parties shows how people turned planning challenges into creative, stress-free celebrations.

Explore how real couples blended smart choices with personal touches to create night-before gatherings that felt meaningful, fun, and totally their own.

TIPS & ADVICE

Must-Know Wedding Rehearsal Dinner Do’s & Don'ts

YOUR BIGGEST PLANNING MISTAKES TO AVOID →

Avoid the Most Common Rehearsal Dinner & Welcome Party Mistakes

Wondering what not to do when planning your rehearsal dinner or welcome party? We’ve gathered our most popular advice on the biggest mistakes couples and families make — and how to avoid them. From secrets the pros wish you knew to budgeting pitfalls to last-minute planning stress, our guides will help you plan smarter and celebrate with ease…

Wedding Rehearsal Dinner Planning FAQs

Q: Who is usually in charge of the rehearsal dinner?
A: Traditionally, the groom’s parents hosted, but today couples, families, or even friends take the lead. Do what works best for your situation. More info here →

Q: How far in advance should we plan the rehearsal dinner?
A: Aim to start planning at least 3-4 months before the wedding, especially if you need to book a venue or it’s a destination wedding. More info here →

Q: How do we budget for a rehearsal dinner?
A: Treat it as its own event, separate from the wedding. Decide on a budget early and prioritize food, drinks, and decor while keeping the guest list in mind. More info here →

Q: How do we budget for a rehearsal dinner?
A: Treat it as its own event, separate from the wedding. Decide on a budget early and prioritize food, drinks, and decor while keeping the guest list in mind. More info here →

Q: Should the rehearsal dinner be formal or casual?
A: There are no rules. Many couples choose a relaxed style that contrasts with the wedding day, while others prefer an elegant dinner. More info here →

Q: Do we need to hire vendors for the rehearsal dinner?
A: Not necessarily. Some do and some don’t. It all depends on your budget, guest count, how much formality you want for the night-before, and mostly how much work you want to do. More info here →

Plan Smarter, Celebrate More

Ready to put all this helpful advice into action? Explore our rehearsal dinner shop for invitations, printables, and planning tools designed exclusively for rehearsal dinners and welcome parties. With instant downloads, planning has never been easier.”