Planning, planning, planning!  You and your soon to be Mr. have been planning for months now; combing over the fine details from flowers to food to favors.  Amidst all of the details, brides can sometimes forget the importance of the week leading up to wedding day.  Perhaps one of the most important events wedding week is the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.  No matter how formal or informal your wedding is going to be, it is extremely important to have a rehearsal.  The excitement of all of your friends and family flying into town can be overwhelming but practicing where everyone will stand, walk from and timeline details will help eliminate any hiccups on wedding day.  Depending on your venue, it is ideal to schedule your rehearsal time around the same time that your actual wedding ceremony is.  This gives you an idea of lighting, temperature, ect.

So, how formal should your rehearsal dinner be?  Well, this is the opportunity to take it down a few notches and enjoy yourselves as well as your family and friends.  It is perfectly acceptable to keep your rehearsal dinner low key and casual (this does not always mean cheap)!  A brunch, rustic backyard set up and family style dinner are all great ways to keep it fun.  After all, you want to save the good stuff for the wedding day!

Quick tip #1:  Traditionally, the groom’s family is responsible for footing the bill for the rehearsal dinner.

Quick tip #2:  Choose centerpieces for your rehearsal dinner that you can reuse the next day at the wedding.

Happy Planning!