Weddings can be complex. Each element has its own procedures and traditions. People learn a lot about dealing with guests and catering when planning a wedding. Even rehearsal dinner etiquette can be rigorous. But if the rules are understood, there’s no reason for it to be anything but an enjoyable element of an overall enjoyable wedding experience.

The rehearsal dinner is often hosted by the groom’s parents. That means the organization and decisions should be left to them. For couples who prefer to host the dinner themselves as a thanks to the families and wedding guests, make sure to explain the reasoning to the grooms parents so as not to insult them. If the parents get very upset, keep them in the picture. Why start a fight because you want to do more work?

Plan the dinner for the night prior to the wedding day. This ensures that all the guests and family are in town, available to attend. Never plan this for days before the wedding day. It potentially excludes some people. Avoid hurting people’s feelings or making their attendance more difficult . Happy guests make for a better wedding.

Of course, both the bride’s and groom’s immediate relatives are invited. Include close friends as well as the entire bridal party. The preacher or whoever officiates the wedding, offers the vows, should also be invited. Take care with these invitations. Maybe uncle Albert is a little rude, but is it worth a lifetime of bad blood to exclude him?

Dinner begins with a time for people to talk and mingle. It’s important to consider the feelings of all the guests and to provide a pleasant atmosphere. Keep this dinner in line with the budget of the overall wedding. An extravagant wedding gets a extravagant rehearsal dinner. Make the dinner less involved when the wedding is simpler. Plan for an early end so people can rest before the next busy day.

The bride and groom toast all those helping to make the wedding wonderful. This includes both the bride’s and groom’s parents, and anyone else who has helped. The toast comes after the main course. Save other toasts for the reception.

Don’t ruin a nice wedding by stepping on toes at the rehearsal dinner. Don’t ignore rehearsal dinner etiquette.