Is it necessary to have a rehearsal dinner?

Question

Is it necessary to have a rehearsal dinner?

Answer 1

yes...but we kept it simple and I orderd in several pizzas

Answer 2

Yes because a rehearsal dinner is done to thank those in your wedding party for taking the time and money out to be part of your day.  

It doesn't have to be anything fancy, even just pizza in the backyard, but you should at least provide them dinner and show your gratitude.

Answer 3

It helps. if some members of the families involved don't know each other that well, or at all, to begin to familiarize themselves with each other in a social setting. Hopefully, these people are going to be family from now on so it helps to get to know them, and this is one way people start the process.

Answer 4

Yes it is customary.  But I would only invite those that are participating in the wedding.  No one else. It will keep the cost down.

Answer 5

I don't think its necessary as we don't have them in the UK so the only one I've ever been to was my sister's who lives in America and got married there, before that I didn't even know they existed. I would say if its traditional for your or his family and relatives would be offended if you didn't do it then you probably should do it.

Answer 6

No.  We didn't have one because our guests were coming from out of town, and there wasn't really a good time that was convenient for everybody.  Plus, it turned out that over half of the people who showed up for the whole wedding were at the rehersal so it would have been redundant.  Nobody missed having a rehersal dinner.

Answer 7

If you're having a "rehearsal", then yes, a dinner would be appropriate after the rehearsal.  It does not have to be at a fancy restaurant.  I have been to "picnics" after a rehearsal, that were just as nice as a formal dinner.

Answer 8

The groom's parents traditionally pay for the rehearsal dinner.  I, however, just recently found out that I (the bride) will be paying for the rehearsal dinner myself.  The wedding is in two months, I have no money left after paying for the wedding, so I am going to have a "rehearsal ice cream" instead of a rehearsal dinner.  I am really pretty excited about it.  I'm not sure I like "traditional."  :)

Answer 9

Yes, if you live in the U.S. this is usually traditional.  

Now, with that said, it certainly does NOT need to be a fancy thing.  Where I live, it is getting to be the norm to have something on a small, low-key scale.  Some go to a pizza place for pizza, sodas and beer.  Others have something at home.  We hosted my son's rehearsal dinner in our backyard!  We had lots of people, but it really did not cost much because I had a few meat/cheese trays with rolls and then I made up a bunch of cold salads the day before!  Everyone loved it and it was very low-key and easy on the budget.  

Yes, it is nice to do something for those who have spent money on you to be in your wedding.  A "private" type of party just for the wedding party/spouses and the parents.  It is very traditional in the U.S., but, again, you don't need to go overboard.

Answer 10

I don't think its NECESSARY, but if you're inviting out-of-towners, you may want to think of them the night before the wedding.  We aren't having a rehearsal, but we are having dinner Friday night with friends and family.  It's taking place in a small town, so I don't want my guests to have to sit in their hotel rooms the night before with nothing to do.

Good Luck!