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Wedding rehearsal dinner invitations are not required, but they add a subtle touch of class to even the most informal of events.
Traditionally, the rehearsal dinner is hosted by the groom's parents when the rest of the wedding is being hosted by the bride's parents. This gives the groom's family a chance to take part in the wedding, and treat the bride's parents to a night of relaxation.
After the wedding party meets to rehearse the ceremony, a gathering can take place anywhere that provides a festive atmosphere. Many times this is at a local restaurant, but a picnic in a park or back yard would serve the purpose, too. A backyard barbecue might be just the right idea to encourage people to relax before the formalities of the wedding day.
Rehearsal dinner invitations should be sent two weeks before the wedding. The wedding rehearsal dinner invitations can be formal or casual, and may match the wedding invitations or take on a look of their own. It is customary for the rehearsal dinner invitations to compliment the wedding invitations, but not match them. Perhaps you choose the same clip art or stock art, but print the rehearsal dinner invitations on a different color paper. These invitations should be kept to one sheet; there is no reason to make them any larger.
Since the groom's parents will most likely send out the invitations, it would be nice for the bride to contact them to tell them how the wedding invitations were made, and what professional service was used, if any. The invitation process would be a nice activity for the bride to participate in with her future in-laws, to get further aquatinted.
Usually, just the wedding party is invited to the rehearsal dinner. But many families choose to include out-of-town friends and family members, since often it is hard to spend enough time with these people on the day of the wedding. It also gives your out-of-town guests the reassurance that their trip was worthwhile and their presence is appreciated. It is also customary to invite the wedding officiant to the rehearsal dinner.
Following is a an example of rehearsal dinner invitation wording:
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Meyers (name of the groom's parents or whomever is hosting the dinner) request the pleasure of your company at the rehearsal dinner in honor of Allison and Henry's wedding.
Dinner will be held at 8 o'clock p.m. on Friday, April 30 at Piatti's, 602 Irving Avenue, Portland, Oregon.
It will immediately follow the wedding rehearsal, to be held at St. Paul's Church, 1123 Fort Wayne Avenue Portland, Oregon.
A few final notes on wedding rehearsal dinners and what is expected of the bride and groom. At the rehearsal dinner it is customary for the bride and groom to offer a toast to their family and friends, thanking them for their love, support and presence at their wedding. If you are offering gifts for the wedding party, they are usually handed out at this time.