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. As a Seattle area wedding photographer, here are a few of my guidelines to help you decide.

And if you haven’t found your wedding photographer yet, now is definitely the time! Read How to Choose a Seattle Area Wedding Photographer if you need a guide to help you find the perfect fit for your special day. And if you would love beautiful photos of your rehearsal dinner, be sure to book your photographer for that date right away!

Those at the Top of the Rehearsal Dinner List:

1. 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.
2. 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!
3. 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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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:

1. 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.
2. Venue: If you have already selected your rehearsal dinner venue, that could determine how many invitations you can send out.
3. 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.

If you are ready for more information on planning your perfect wedding day, read How to Create the Best Wedding Day Timeline For Your Day. It is full of great information to help you make sure your wedding day runs as smoothly and stress free as possible.

Thanks for reading!

Warmly, Janelle