Wedding Tip Thursday - Who Should be Invited to the Rehearsal Dinner?

Melanie + Bryan at The Carolina Inn [Full Planning + Design Erin McLean Events] [Photography Martha Manning Photography]

Today I share a great solution to what has lately been a hot topic of - shall we say lively discussion - with many couples. Namely, who exactly should come to the rehearsal dinner when almost all of your guests are from out town?

When the Bride’s family wants everyone to be invited but the Groom’s family wants to limit it to just the Bridal Party, things can get tricky. I offer this solution: embrace the intimacy of a small “Bridal Party Only” rehearsal dinner and then plan an after party for all the out of town guests.

This after party can be as simple as picking a place and time and meeting everyone there – you don’t necessarily need to provide food and drink but a round of drinks and some snacks or platters would be nice. Or, you could book a private location and provide food and drinks for everyone – something simple like a semi-private space at a restaurant works well. Even easier, a hospitality suite at the hotel most of your guests are staying at – or just ask them to meet you at the hotel bar.

Keep it simple, easy, and then gracefully bow out a little early so you aren’t out too late before the big day. Everyone wins with the compromise!