Planning your Rehearsal Dinner

By now, you are probably well on your way to planning your best day ever.  The coordinator has been called in, the venue selected, the photographer chosen, and all the details are falling into place.  All of a sudden, it dawns on you that you have not given any thought to the rehearsal. 

Article by Orange County Wedding Planner Posh-itively Perfect Events

What is a “rehearsal” anyway?

A rehearsal is a “practice run” for the big day.  This lets everyone in your bridal party and those in your family who will walk down the aisle know where to go, who they will go with, and when they will walk before it’s “show time”. 

Traditionally, the rehearsal takes place the night before the wedding. However, today many couples are opting for the rehearsal to take place a couple of nights in advance. The benefit of doing it this way is that it allows you to get any last minute matters taken care of the night before the wedding, and you can also get a good night’s sleep.

The rehearsal usually takes place at the wedding ceremony site and is typically facilitated by the Wedding Coordinator.

The Rehearsal Dinner…or Brunch…or Lunch – whatever you choose… or nothing at all!

The time of your rehearsal will most likely dictate what type of gathering you will have afterwards – brunch, lunch, or dinner.  Some couples choose not to have a gathering at all, and that’s okay too. 

If you do arrange for one, it can be a fun way to bring both families and your closest friends together to get to know each other a little better before your wedding.  It’s the pre-party to the big party! 

Choosing a location for the gathering after your rehearsal

There are really no rules when it comes to where the rehearsal “dinner” will take place.  It can be a fun and casual theme or an elegant affair.  Above all, it should reflect your personalities.  The only tip to consider is this: the nature of the pre-wedding festivities should not overshadow the big day itself.    For example, your gathering can take place in a cute and quaint community clubhouse, a private room in a restaurant, a backyard barbeque, or whatever suits you best. 

Who to invite

Let’s start with the bridal party, include the parents and grandparents.  If you have identified specific individuals to seat your grandparents and guests, they should be included as well. And don’t forget the Officiant! 

As a courtesy, others to consider would be out of town guests and spouses/significant others of the bridal party. 

Remember that you can also use this occasion to recognize those who have helped in the planning process, and if you are giving gifts to your wedding party, this is a perfect time to do so! 

Most of all, no matter what…relax, have fun, and savor every single second of this exciting time.  Your wedding day will be here and over before you can blink your eyes!!!

Article provided by Posh-itively Perfect Events // Photo by Tiffany Amber Photography
See more from that shoot HERE.

Posh-itively Perfect Events is a member of our Top Wedding Vendor Guide. 

Urban DIY Los Angeles Wedding at The Carondelet House

"I can still remember that feeling I got walking into the front room of the Carondelet House on our initial visit. Looking over at Scott, I knew we finally agreed -- this was where we wanted to get married! From that day forward, planning our wedding became one of the most fun adventures Scott and I have had together. We spent countless hours scouring the millions of posts on Pinterest to help us find all the unique touches that would reflect our love for each other and our closest friends and family." -bride & groom

About their wedding: We wanted our guests to feel at home the moment they walked through the door and we planned out every detail to make sure they did. From wedding photos of our parents, grandparents, and siblings on the cake table to thank you notes at their place settings. We even used our mother's special cake recipes that we have had for every birthday, since childhood -- Strawberry for Scott and Banana for Me, with a marble cake in the middle. The most fun (and exhausting), though, was hand-making wine-bottle candles as favors for our guests. A project that quickly became a family event as they helped us save wine bottles, cut bottles and made trips to every Michael's store in the city for more wax. Now those candles sit in each of our relative's and friend's homes as a reminder not just of that day, but of our gratitude for their support.

Scott and I really wanted to make the day as meaningful as possible for each other. Not knowing what the other had picked out, Scott and I both ended up giving each other sentimental boxes and different representations of our time together. I gave him a journal with my favorite memories, as well as these great cufflinks with photos of his grandparents who had passed away on them. It almost made him cry, and he never cries. Scott gave me a set of pictures of the two of us. We each used this time as an opportunity to spend a priceless moment together before walking down the aisle.

We also wrote our entire ceremony (not just the vows), and Scott's brother performed it. We aren't religious so we wanted the ritual to reflect our personalities and relationship. We spent the months before the wedding compiling our favorite poems and vows that we pieced together for the ceremony. We also included hand-written letters to one another's parents to express our appreciation for them. I can't express how meaningful it was to go through the ceremony knowing that Scott and I had hand-picked every word -- together.

Our amazing wedding coordinator, designer and florist made sure all of our ideas came to life like magic. We will never forget sneaking to the back room to see the dinner all set up. It was amazing. The white flowers on the table surrounded by candles made the room glow. We both ran to get our parents so they could see the room untouched. My mom, who until then hadn't quite understood why we didn't want ice sculptures and a 7-tier cake, finally understood what we meant by an intimate and warm setting. We all had the same feeling on our wedding day that Scott and I had had the first day we walked in to Carondelet -- simple joy and wonder.

Vendors: Photographer: Lukas & Suzy VanDyke // Shoes: Badgley Mischka // Tuxedo and Mens Attire: Dragon Inside // Makeup Artist: Emily Dawn Artistry // Hair Stylist: Emily Dawn Artistry // DIY or Handmade Goods Designer: Emily Steffen // Floral Designer: Enchanted Garden Floral Design // Veils and headpieces: Happily Ever Borrowed // Event Planner: Orange Blossom Special Events // Invitation Designer: Orange Blossom Special Events // Cake Designer: Pretty Baked Goods // DJ: Red Shoe LA // Dress Designer: Reem Acra  // Event Venue: The Carondelet House // Tuxedo and Mens Attire: The Tie Bar // Dress Designer:Watters // Submitted via Two Bright Lights

A Stylish and Magical Styled Bridal Shoot by Alyssa Michelle Photography

From Alyssa Michelle Photography: "Interesting and eye catching light was the inspiration for this bridal portrait session. We partnered up with the fabulous Emily Martinez who owns the wonderful bridal shop, Ferndale's Bridal in Orange that we borrowed these gorgeous gowns from. I wanted the photos to be details oriented, whimsical, romantic and truly make you feel something. I think the correct word to describe the images would be magical. Dreamy, contrast based light that helps tell a lovely, dark story. To help tell this beautiful story is our amazing hair stylist, Alyssa Renee Elliott, and our fabulous model, Denise. I would love to wear the Great Gatsby dress for every moment of my entire life... if it were socially acceptable. Wouldn't you?" 

Vendors: Photographer: Alyssa Michelle Photography | Bridal Boutique: Ferndales Bridal | Model: Denise S. | Hair: Alyssa Renee Elliott 

Alyssa Michelle Photography is a member of our Top Wedding Vendor Guide. 

For more information on how to apply, click here.

A Winter-inspired Fairytale shoot by Poiema Photography

"When my assistant got her hands on a beautiful, thrifted princess-styled wedding dress, we decided we just had to style a shoot around it. We went with a modern fairytale theme, with rich jeweled tones against bright whites. Apples and mirrored details remind us of one of our favorite Grimm's stories, with our bride's "skin as white as snow, lips as red as blood, and hair as black as ebony." Cans of Sofia Blanc de Blanc bring in more modern elements as well as white, geometric patterned linens from La Tavola's 2014 release. Guests are presented with candied apples in place of wedding cake and our bride and groom are left to dance the night away under the light of a crystal chandelier." -Wild Heart Events

Vendors: Photographer: Poiema Photography | Event Design: Wild Hearts Events | Florals: Oak Barrel and Bloom | Calligraphy: Jamie Ellen Paperie | Hair: Katy Moore Hair | Make-up: Leah Rose Make-up | Linens: La Tavola | Rentals: Ventura Party Rentals

Poiema Photography is a member of our Top Wedding Vendor Guide. 

For more information on how to apply, click here.