Your rehearsal dinner can be a fun evening to connect with the people closest to you before your wedding day. But, who exactly should be on your rehearsal dinner guest list? You will want to invite those in your inner circle, while also keeping numbers small enough for a truly intimate evening. Below are a few guidelines to help you decide.
Those at the Top of the Rehearsal Dinner List:
- The Wedding Party: This will include your bridesmaids, groomsmen, maid of honor, best man, flower girl, and ring bearer. You may also like to include any significant others.
- Your Immediate Family: Start with your parents, siblings, and grandparents from both sides. If you would like to extend invitations to other family members, you certainly can. Just keep in mind that this could quickly add up!
- Anyone Taking Part in the Rehearsal: If someone will need to be present for the rehearsal itself, they should be invited to the rehearsal dinner.
Optional Invitations:
- Very Close Friends: You might like to invite guests who are not in the wedding party but are very close friends of the bride or groom.
- Out-of-Town Guests: If you have a few out-of-town guests, it could be nice to invite them to your rehearsal dinner. This might not be an option if you will have a high number of guests travelling.
- Children: It is up to you whether or not you would like to invite children of the people on your guest list. Typically, this would depend on how formal your dinner will be and how large you are willing to make the guest list.
How Many Guests Should You Invite?
Just like your wedding, there is no firm rule on how large or small your rehearsal dinner guest list should be. The number of guests will depend on:
- Budget: The more people you invite, the more your rehearsal dinner will cost. Don’t forget to keep a close eye on your budget when deciding on who to invite.
- Venue: If you have already selected your rehearsal dinner venue, that could determine how many invitations you can send out.
- How intimate you want the event to be: If you would like a very intimate rehearsal dinner, keep your guest list small. In the mood for a big welcome party? If budget allows, go ahead and invite all those you are most excited to celebrate with.
Final Rehearsal Dinner Reminders
Your rehearsal dinner will set the overall tone for your wedding festivities, so plan the event and guest list accordingly. It should fit the mood and aesthetic you are hoping to achieve with your special day. And, most importantly, the guests you invite should be people you are looking forward to celebrating with! You are celebrating an exciting, personal milestone in your life. This time is all about you two and your love for each other. You will want the evening to be full of joy and gratitude for those around you.
Thanks for reading!
Warmly, Janelle
Janelle Barrow Photography serves couples in Seattle and the surrounding areas. With an emphasis on bringing out natural beauty, Janelle is passionate about delivering a personal and elevated experience to all her wedding clients. Her romantic, sophisticated, fine art wedding images capture every moment of the wedding day from arrival to final exit and tell a complete and beautiful story. She thrives on attention to detail and a great ability to take the stress out of wedding photos.
If you are planning your wedding in the Pacific Northwest, please get in touch to see how Janelle Barrow Photography can serve you.
+ view comments . . .