Who Hosts a Wedding Rehearsal Dinner?
Traditionally, the groom's family hosts the wedding rehearsal dinner (specifically the groom's mother). It is often held in their home or at a favorite local restaurant which can accommodate the number of people in your wedding party. By tradition, the groom's family hosts the dinner to give thanks and respect to the bride's family for their planning and preparation for the wedding. Today, Pennsylvania families often share in the planning of a rehearsal dinner, including the cost in the overall budget for their wedding or splitting the planning duties. Either way, it's a great opportunity to show how much they appreciate their son or daughter's choice and to display their own hospitality.Who's Invited to a Pennsylvania Rehearsal Dinner?
Who is invited depends entirely on the wishes of the bride and groom, but generally include those who will actually take an active part in the wedding ceremony and reception. Informal invitations are often sent a few days after your formal wedding invitations go out. Invitees may include:- The immediate families of the bride and groom
- Ushers
- Bridesmaids
- Best Man
- Maid of Honor
- Other Attendants
- Officiants
- Out-of-town guests
- Other close family and friends
Wedding Rehearsal Dress Code
There is no set dress code for a wedding rehearsal. You can specify any sort of dress -- from super-casual to ultra-formal. A casual take on your chosen wedding theme is a popular choice, such as a beach-style luau with Tiki torches or country barbecue featuring your wedding colors. There are no set rules as to color or theme, so many couples opt to have some fun with their rehearsal dinner fashions, choosing congeniality over formality. Remember that the wedding day will require a lot of clothing preparation for the entire party, so giving them an easy, fun dress code for the rehearsal dinner might be appreciated by all invited.A semi-formal sit-down dinner at a favorite fine restaurant is another possibility. In this case, the bride might desire to wear her mother's wedding dress, her bridesmaids might dress in formal gowns such as past prom dresses, and the groom and his ushers can wear suits and ties. The style of dress will ultimately be based upon your own unique PA wedding vision. Dressing fancy (but not too fancy) is the theme most commonly chosen by today's Pennsylvania brides.