The wedding rehearsal dinner is a relaxed gathering after your ceremony site walk-through, usually taking place the night before the wedding. It typically includes pre-wedding speeches and toasts, as well as a meal. It’s an opportunity for the bride’s family and groom’s family to enjoy each other’s company before the hubbub of the actual wedding day. Guests at the rehearsal dinner generally include immediate family members from both of the two families, the wedding party, and VIP out-of-town guests.
As you plan this part of your wedding weekend, here’s everything you need to know about who to send rehearsal dinner invitations to, who usually pays for rehearsal dinners, and how to get a certificate of insurance (COI) for your rehearsal dinner venue, if required. Plans start at just $125.
What You Will Learn
What is a Rehearsal Dinner vs. the Ceremony Rehearsal?
The rehearsal dinner is a social gathering with food, speeches, gifts, and mingling, while the rehearsal is an actual practice for the wedding ceremony. Many of the same individuals will attend both. The rehearsal takes place at the wedding venue, while the rehearsal dinner often takes place at a nearby favorite restaurant or the family home.
If you’re buying wedding insurance, you’ll want to ensure that your coverage applies to both the rehearsal dinner and rehearsal itself. Just like a member of the wedding party might accidentally be injured or damage the venue during the wedding, this could also occur during the rehearsal, leaving you or the venue liable.
Multi-day insurance windows from BriteCo keep you covered over your entire wedding weekend.
Who’s Invited to the Wedding Rehearsal Dinner?
The following individuals should be invited to the wedding rehearsal dinner:
- Immediate family members within the couple’s families
- All members of the wedding party, including their partners (younger members of the wedding party, such as ringbearers or flower girls, might be excluded, if the event runs too late for them; if you do include them, their parents would likewise be invited)
- Your wedding officiant
- Any readers or similar contributors to the wedding ceremony
- Any out-of-town close family members or close friends who may be traveling in and spending the night
Your wedding planner may or may not attend, depending on their services and the size of the evening.
There is one caveat to this list, though. If you’re hosting a destination wedding, it’s typical to invite the entirety of your guest list to the rehearsal dinner. This will increase the cost of your rehearsal dinner, since the guest list will be larger. That said, you’ll likely be saving money in other areas by opting for a destination wedding with a comparatively small guest list.
Who Pays for the Rehearsal Dinner?
Traditionally, the groom’s parents pay for the rehearsal dinner, but general etiquette today dictates that whoever can feasibly pay for the dinner does so.
Most modern couples can assume that they will pay for their rehearsal dinner themselves, as it becomes more and more common for couples to pay for all of their wedding festivities. If another family member volunteers to cover a specific cost, all the better. As you’re planning your wedding budget, though, do not assume that some individuals will automatically pick up certain costs.
How Much Does a Rehearsal Dinner Cost?
According to The Knot’s annual Real Wedding survey, today, the average cost of a rehearsal dinner is $2,700.
This cost includes all expenses, including the event space, invitations, catering, and décor. Rehearsal dinners are typically more pricey when you’re hosting a destination wedding.
There are certain factors that will influence your rehearsal dinner cost, including venue, geography, time of year (peak wedding season vs. the off season), and style of event (formal vs. casual).
Does Everyone Have a Rehearsal Dinner?
When looking at “extra” wedding events like bachelor/bachelorette parties, wedding showers, etc., most couples opt for a rehearsal dinner over other celebrations if they have to make a choice.
If you’re contemplating not having a rehearsal dinner due to the added costs, consider that it’s an irreplaceable, more intimate moment with your loved ones to celebrate your upcoming big day in a more relaxed environment.
What to Do at the Rehearsal Dinner
A traditional rehearsal dinner lasts 2-3 hours and often includes:
There are plenty of alternative options you might consider during the planning process if this typical format doesn’t work for you.
You may want to have a rehearsal brunch if the rehearsal actually takes place on the day of your ceremony, in the morning. If you’re trying to save a little cash, you might host a backyard barbecue instead of a sit-down dinner. For more casual events like these, you could incorporate more fun, like yard games.
If you’re hosting a destination wedding, you may need to further plan in time for guests to take shuttles back and forth between the rehearsal dinner spot and their accommodations (unless everyone’s staying at the same resort and you’re having the rehearsal dinner there as well). You might also host a separate, welcome mixer before the rehearsal dinner, as part of your wedding weekend.
Rehearsal Dinner Venue Requirements
Some rehearsal dinner venues, like restaurants and private event spaces, may request proof of event insurance and to be listed as an additional insured on your policy, especially for bar packages or private rentals.
If this is a requirement for your venue, you’ll want to purchase wedding event liability insurance, particularly a policy that covers multi-day windows, so that your entire wedding weekend, including the rehearsal dinner, is protected.
Furthermore, some venues may require that host liquor liability be listed on your certificate of insurance if alcohol is being served at your event.
How to Request a Certificate of Insurance (COI) in 3 Steps
- Ask the venue managers what limits/wording they require.
- Buy wedding event liability and request your COI. Add the venue as an additional insured.
- Share the PDF with your event coordinator and venue, and keep a copy on-site.
Rehearsal Dinner FAQs
Do I need a rehearsal dinner?
It’s not required, but it’s a helpful welcome for your guests and a logistics touchpoint.
How long is a rehearsal dinner?
Commonly, a rehearsal dinner lasts 2-3 hours, including toasts.
Who’s on the rehearsal dinner guest list?
Include immediate family members, the wedding party, and all partners, your officiant/readers, and select out-of-town VIPs.
Who pays for the rehearsal dinner?
Tradition says the groom’s side pays for the rehearsal dinner. However, modern couples may pay for it themselves, or a family member may volunteer to pay for it.
Does the restaurant’s insurance cover a rehearsal dinner?
Sometimes, but many venues still ask for your own certificate of insurance and to be added to your policy as an additional insured.
Is alcohol covered by my wedding insurance?
If your insurance policy includes host liquor liability and venue requirements are met, then, yes, alcohol-related issues are covered. However, confirm limits on your certificate of insurance.
Can wedding insurance include the rehearsal dinner?
Yes. Multi-day event liability insurance can include the rehearsal dinner.
How much is wedding/event insurance?
Pricing varies; BriteCo’s plans start at $125 with instant quotes available.
Kick Off Your Wedding Weekend with a Fun and Safe Rehearsal Dinner
A thoughtful rehearsal dinner sets the tone for your wedding weekend, and is made all the better with a clear agenda, the right guest list, and compliance with venue requirements.
Need a certificate of insurance or host liquor liability insurance for your rehearsal dinner venue? Get your wedding weekend insurance quote (plans start at $125) and have your venue listed as additional insured in minutes.
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