Before you and your partner officially tie the knot, there are a number of essential tasks to complete. In addition to ensuring you've finalized the key details with all of your vendors, picked up your marriage license, and checked in with your officiant, you'll need to rehearse your actual ceremony. In doing such a walk-through, you'll be able to see what your processional, readings, and recessional actually look like—and make any necessary adjustments. Generally, this crucial to-do occurs the afternoon or evening before your nuptials. And in the hours following it, you'll likely head to your rehearsal dinner—an intimate celebration traditionally hosted by the groom's parents—that allows you to kick off the weekend's festivities with some of your family members and friends.
However, in the months prior to this event, you and your partner may be trying to figure out who to invite to your rehearsal dinner. The answer to this question isn't always clear. If you're planning to keep this gathering relatively small, start the list off with those who will be in attendance at the ceremony rehearsal: your parents and siblings, your wedding party, any readers or ushers, and your officiant. Such a group typically falls between 10 and 25 people, making it the perfect size for an intimate dinner with your loved ones.
Below, we break down the rules to follow when figuring out who to invite to your rehearsal dinner. Read on for everything you need to know when constructing such a guest list.
Immediate Family
Your and your partner's immediate family members (i.e. your parents and siblings) should always be invited to your rehearsal dinner. Your wedding symbolizes not only the joining of you and your soon-to-be spouse in marriage—but also the merging of your two families. Ultimately, such an intimate setting offers the perfect chance for the two groups to spend quality time together before the big day.
Close Extended Family Members
Depending on your and your partner's relationship with your extended families, you may choose to invite them to your rehearsal dinner. However, know that you're never obligated to invite all of your aunts, uncles, and cousins to this pre-nuptials event. If your families are on the smaller side, and you only have two or three on each side whom you'd really love to join you, consider extending an invite. Otherwise, opt to just invite your closest extended family members, such as your godparents and grandparents, for the occasion.
Your Wedding Party
All of the members of your wedding party should be invited to your rehearsal dinner. However, it can be a bit more difficult to figure out whether to extended an invitation to the plus-ones of your bridesmaids and groomsmen. Some etiquette experts say that if a member of your wedding party is invited to your wedding with a date, they should also be able to bring that person to your rehearsal dinner. Yet, others argue that the plus-one option need only apply on your actual wedding date. Due to the uncertainty, opt for whichever choice feels right to you. If you have a flower girl or ring bearer, technically, they should be invited, too—but this largely depends on their age and relationship to you.
Any Out-of-Town Guests
If you have any guests who are traveling into town for your big day, consider extending them an invitation to your rehearsal dinner, due to the time and money that they're spending in order to attend your celebration. However, there are some celebrations in which this rule won't apply. For example, if you're having a destination wedding, everyone is traveling to be there. In such a case, many couples opt to host a welcome party instead, to ensure that all of their loved ones are able to attend this pre-nuptial event.
Your Wedding Officiant
Many couple select an officiant that they already have a close relationship with. If this is the case for you and your partner, whether it's a religious leader you've grown close with or your best friend, consider inviting them to the rehearsal dinner.
