You’ve probably seen the statistics, the cost of wedding events
are at an all-time high. In Atlanta, we
trail ever so slightly behind the National average of nearly $30,000. Every online wedding magazine you read, or
bridal show you attend reminds you that one of the happiest days of your life
will cost you as much as a down payment on a new home. Brides are spending more each year on their
nuptials. I read one statistic that said
25% of brides in 2013 didn’t have a budget at all! Imagine having virtually no spending limit… I digress.
My clients depend on me to make their wedding meal a
memorable experience. While the reception is the main food event, the rehearsal
dinner presents a wonderful opportunity to set your wedding weekend off with a
bang. The average rehearsal dinner spend
is about $1,200, depending on the number of guests. I’ve catered one for more than $3,000 because
there was extended family traveling from New York and the guest list ballooned
to 75. Regardless of what you spend, the
dinner should be fun. More importantly
it should present a unique opportunity to celebrate privately with your bridal
party, parents, family and friends.
Why do it?
Rehearsal dinners are a great way to let your hair down
after walking through your final preparation for the big day. It’s an opportunity for loved ones to give emotional
speeches and moving toasts that would bring an otherwise lively reception to a
screeching halt. What’s great about the
rehearsal dinner is that everyone in attendance gets to speak from the heart
about the bride and groom and what they mean to them.
Also, this dinner is perhaps the first time members of both families
have met. It presents the perfect chance
for everyone to get to know one another while sharing an intimate dinner with the
special couple. I’m often asked, “Do we
do assigned or random seating?” I mostly
recommend placing people strategically around the dinner table which gives you an
opportunity to introduce and seat people together who haven’t met that you believe
would have good chemistry. If you are
seated family style you have the opportunity to place people next and across
from each other. Nothing promotes
dialogue more than passing along a shared platter of food.
Should I have a Theme?
Themes are fun, especially when you work with a vendor who
is very creative. Although it be expensive,
the good news is, it doesn’t have to be.
And if you’re a bride on a budget you needn’t worry about a special
theme for this meal. If you’re a bride
without a budget and you want a special theme, the playbook is wide open. You can choose a theme that compliments your wedding
or do something completely different.
For example, one of my bride clients did a French themed rehearsal
dinner because Paris is where she and the groom first met. Their entrée selection was Coq au Vin because
they shared that dish on their first date.
They wanted to honor that occasion and share it with family and friends. Rehearsal dinners are a blank palette for
your imagination; however, I recommend you make every attempt to make it a
personal experience limited only by your creativity or your budget.
Who should you invite?
The average wedding guest list is approaching 140 family and
friends. The average bridal party is 8
to 10. While you can't invite everyone you
should make sure you invite the people who are closest to you. Aside from the mandatory guests, the wedding party,
moms, dads and grandparents, I suggest that you try to give your out of town
guests the full wedding experience (including the morning after brunch). They probably traveled a long way to share
your day and you may not see them again for some time.
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