Your wedding rehearsal is your last hurrah before you say “I do.” Practically, wedding rehearsals allow you to run through your ceremony to avoid glitches on your big day. But, sentimentally, a rehearsal dinner is an important pre-wedding occasion to spend time with those who have loved and supported you during your engagement. Choosing whom to invite to your rehearsal dinner (generally a much smaller affair than the wedding itself) can be difficult, but there are some helpful guidelines for who should make the list.

Wedding Party

A wedding wouldn’t be possible without the engaged couple, but don’t forget about those who will be standing by your side on your wedding day. The people that you chose to be a bridesmaid or groomsmen were important enough to be in your VIP group, so they should celebrate with you at your rehearsal. Plus, they will be attending the ceremony rehearsal, so their inclusion at the rehearsal dinner is a no brainer. Having bridesmaids and groomsmen bring a plus-one is at your discretion, especially if you’re hoping to have a more intimate rehearsal dinner, but spouses and long-term partners are typically recommended.

Family

Traditionally, the groom’s parents paid for the rehearsal dinner, though at the Iroquois Club we see an array of arrangements when it comes to hosting and paying. But typically both sets of parents are at the top of the invite list. Additionally, the father of the groom usually toasts the bride at the rehearsal dinner, making way for the father of the bride to take the stage at the actual wedding reception. 

Sometimes immediate family members aren’t included in the wedding party (siblings-in-law, much older siblings, etc.), so if they aren’t, be sure to show their importance by inviting them to your rehearsal. Grandparents on both sides are also a must! Although aunts, uncles, and cousins aren’t immediate family, feel free to invite a few that you or your partner are close to and want to toast with before your wedding day (especially if they have any role in the wedding ceremony like a reading or ushering). 

Close Friends

You may have wanted a wedding party of all family members, or some close friends were unable to commit to being a bridesmaid or groomsmen. No matter the reason they didn’t end up in your bridal party, don’t feel bad for wanting to invite close friends to your rehearsal dinner gathering! Although they don’t have an official title or biological connection to you or your partner, these friends may have helped plan or support you through the wedding planning process. The amount of close friends you choose to include depends on how large or small you want the occasion to be.

Out of Town Guests

If your guests will be arriving a day early for the celebration, consider inviting them to your rehearsal soirée. This is a great way to show appreciation for your visiting guests’ time and effort in making sure they would be in attendance for your big day. If you would rather keep your rehearsal small, suggest some local restaurants for them to enjoy, or appoint a family member (who isn’t coming to the rehearsal) to spearhead a casual gathering where you and your fiancé can make an appearance post rehearsal dinner.

Wedding Officiant

Don’t forget about the person who will be leading your wedding ceremony. Many celebrants place importance on having their officiant in attendance at their rehearsal dinner. If you have a close relationship with your wedding officiant, inviting them, and their partner if they have one, is a great way to show appreciation. If this isn’t your style, then no worries! As long as your officiant knows they are valued, there will be no hard feelings if you choose to keep them off your invite list.