Whether you're having a formal or backyard wedding, the wedding rehearsal dinner is an opportunity to relax with friends and family before the demands of wedding day kick in. It's typically one of the groom's duties to plan a rehearsal dinner. GroomGroove.com votes in favor of taking it easy.

The Groom and His Family Plan and Pay for the Rehearsal Dinner - So goes tradition

Wedding traditions being what they are, it is typically the groom and the groom's family that plan and pay for the rehearsal dinner. That tradition, of course, originates from the concept that the bride's father was paying for the wedding reception itself, the next day. Nowadays, there's a lot more flexibility, with the bride likely wanting to have a say in what the tone and style of the rehearsal dinner will be. In terms of paying for the dinner, however, to be clear - this is a dinner that is being hosted for the benefit of the guests. You cover your guests.

When the rehearsal dinner takes place, and for how long

As the name suggests, the rehearsal dinner should take place right after the wedding rehearsal itself, and that means the night before the wedding itself. Keep in mind that the rehearsal dinner doesn't have to go on for hours - it's fine to wrap things up fairly quickly after everyone has finished eating. Everyone will be tired, and you and the bride should get a good night sleep, even if it's guaranteed to be a bit crappy.

Who gets invited to the rehearsal dinner?

So if the groom and bride are paying for the guests, who gets an invite, and how many people are invited? The rehearsal dinner should be hosted for your parents, your bride's parents and the wedding party. Each of the members of the wedding party should be allowed to bring their significant other. You'll also need to help them plan for babysitting, if needed, or accomodate their children at the rehearsal dinner. Finally, you should consider inviting special guests, for example. This could include grandparents or guests that have traveled long distances to attend your wedding. Plan on hosting between 15 and 20 people. Who ultimately attends is up to you.

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