Okay is a wedding rehearsal dinner absolutely necessary?

We don't have the venue the night before to rehearse, so I am not sure I want to do a dinner if we are not rehearsing...wow another thing to discuss with my beloved. lol. Sounds like we don't discuss much if you read my posts, honest we do.

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I Agree with Ashley.

Rehearsal dinner isn't necessary, but the rehearsal of the ceremony definitely helps smooth things along. We're getting married in a hall and we have access to the hall the night before, so were doing our rehearsal there, and just ordering in pizzas for everyone there.

We are having a rehearsal at the venue at like 1:30pm in the afternoon but I don't think we will be doing any sort of lunch/dinner thing. People can come back to our place if they want but it won't be anything formal.

Our rehearsal is in the middle of the afternoon (2:30pm ish) so i'm planning a picnic type lunch for afterwards, which should work out as we are getting married in a local park. That way people can do their own thing for dinner. And my fiancé and I still get some wind down time in the evening.

Is the rehearsal usually at the venue you're getting married at? Or is it done anywhere?

We met with our officiant yesterday and he said that most people don't do rehearsal dinners anymore. we are doing one because my future MIL really wanted to host it. our officiant is going to come and run through the basis of the ceremony after the dinner, that way the wedding party knows what they need to do and where they need to be, etc. but i don't think it's absolutely necessary, especially if you are having a small wedding.

I heard the rehearsal is necessary if it's an outdoor place and alot of people in the wedding party. But the dinner isn't necessary. Our location is different so need to have the rehearsal but we may just go for drinks afterwards, depending on how stressed I am or not, but not planning a dinner to much expense already

It's not in our plan. I just don't think it's important. We're having a small wedding of 35 people. More than half are family and the wedding party so really, what's the point...we may as well just get married at the rehearsal since everyone would already be there!

It is not necessary but I'm told a rehearsal is a good idea if available.

I don't believe it is necessary. My fiance and I know we will be very busy setting up decor in our venue and doing last minute odds and ends, plus we want to save money as we are paying for everything ourselves. So we will do a little rehearsal with the bridal party and officiant and then have everyone over for pizza and a hang out (if they want to, no pressure). We had a bit of a hard time when it came to our mothers because they felt it was necessary however its our wedding so we feel in the end its up to us. The same goes for you! Do what you feel is best for you

If you are asking your wedding party to give you another night of their time to come and rehearse the ceremony, then I think it is kind to host a rehearsal dinner to thank them. The rehearsal dinner is also a great opportunity to give your wedding party their gifts!!

You can skip both (the rehearsal and the rehearsal dinner), and don't forget that the rehearsal dinner can be as casual as pizza and beer at someone's home!

Check out How to Save Money on a Rehearsal Dinner and 5 Creative Rehearsal Dinner Ideas for great ideas and planning tips!

Years ago when I was young much younger, I worked at pizza hut. We had a wedding rehearsal party come there, it was actually really cool and they were so much fun.

We wont have a traditional 'rehearsal dinner'. We will probably just go back to our place or my moms place after the rehearsal and have some drinks and order pizza for everyone.

We are having a rehearsal dinner. Looking forward to it after the rehearsal, and saying thanks to everyone. Thought about having it at someone's home, but truthfully we just want to go somewhere, and not have to do anymore of anything the night before the big day. No cleanup, no putting things away. Just some laughs, drinks and food. Then we go our separate ways until the next day.

I don't think it is necessary and I agree with Erin. We do not have one due to time prior to the wedding. We did gave thank you gifts to the wedding party.

You don't have to have one but it's a nice way to say thanks to your parents and wedding party.

It's not necessary but couples do it to have a social time after rehearsing for the wedding. It's also a "thank you"to the wedding party as well as parents of the bride and groom. We won't be having a rehearsal dinner because we're not having a rehearsal. You don't have to have a dinner. You can serve snacks and drinks and call it a night.