Rehearsal Dinner Ideas

The special thing about Christian weddings is the festivities, which start a day before the actual wedding ceremony is about to take place. Rehearsal dinners are my favorite thing. You get to meet a lot of close people from the families of the bride and groom. The cost of the rehearsal dinner is generally accepted by the groom's parents. However in recent times the cost is divided by the parents of both the bride and groom. The main purpose of the rehearsal dinner is that people from both the families should meet each other and be comfortable and get to know each other.

Rehearsal Dinner Themes

I am still a big fan of the traditional dinner at a local restaurant. But more and more couples want to do something new at their rehearsal dinner to make it a special one.

• The beach always tops the list for wedding rehearsal dinner ideas. If you live near the sea, you can rent a big tent where a large number of chairs can be put up. For the food you can cook some delicious meat recipes on an open fire. You can also have some caterers who cook fresh live stock and can serve it right there. Always make sure that there is enough to drink for everyone, keep a stock of ice cooled beers, sodas, bottled water, wine and other drinks. Put on some beach music and play some outdoor games on the sand.
• If you have a park near your house or a lawn, you might consider a sunset picnic. You could invite all your friends and family members, spread some blankets on the grass and create group and individual baskets for everyone. Take a few bottles of wine so that a toast can be raised for the groom and bride to wish them marital bliss and a great future.
• Another great rehearsal dinner idea is to have a barbecue at a local park or at your own home's backyard. Get some dining tables for the crowd, if you don't have them then rent some folding picnic tables and cover them with bright-colored dinner napkins. Make some delicious hamburgers, hot dogs, grilled chicken or steaks. While people are enjoying the delicious smell of meat, some of you can also play some outdoor games like volleyball and badminton. Bring your favorite dance music CDs, so that people can do some grooving after a lovely dinner.

Rehearsal Dinner Decorating Ideas

A rehearsal dinner and a wedding ceremony go hand in hand. Personally, I feel that rehearsal dinners should be carefully planned and should be a source of enjoyment for all. Let's have a look at some fun rehearsal dinner ideas.

• Pictures have always been a source of great memories. Different tables at the venue could have different pictures of the bride and groom. Pictures can be of the time they were engaged or from the early times when they started dating. Pictures of the childhood and teenage years of the bride and groom can also be used for tables. The table where the bride's family is seated can have all the pictures of the bride from her birth or her different pictures with various family members. The groom's family table can have pictures from his childhood then graduation and his best poses with his family members. Behind the table of the bride and groom a black and white photo of the happy couple can be hung and members from both the families can give their best wishes by writing on that picture.
• Make this rehearsal dinner special by making some place mats for every person. Each guest's name must be written in fancy font across the place mat, this is a great idea and makes every guest feel special.

Cheap Rehearsal Dinner Ideas

As I said before rehearsal dinners are an important part of wedding festivities, but that doesn't mean that it has to be formal and boring. Here are some cheap and casual rehearsal dinner ideas.

• Take all your guests bowling, yes you heard it right, bowling. This is one of the most popular rehearsal dinners. A bowling alley is a great place for people who want to relax and enjoy the function. Play a few bowling games to get relief from the wedding stress. To make it more lively get vintage bowling shirts for every guest who has come.
• If you or your parents have a big backyard, plan your rehearsal dinner there. It's an excellent option to save money. Make grilled chicken, potato salad, fresh fruit and for dessert have small little cup cakes.
• You can book your local Italian restaurant, I didn't mean the restaurant, just a part of it. People from all walks of life love Italian food. Ask for a buffet service, this will help you to keep cost under control. Don't worry about your privacy as many hotels have private rooms and areas where you can host such events.

The main aim of rehearsal dinner ideas is to make sure that the families of the bride and groom blend and have a great time. As long as they enjoy this special night the glasses will be full and everyone will have a great time.