A complete guide to wedding rehearsal and welcome parties.
Whether you're planning a weekend of activities or simply want to welcome guests with celebrating the evening before the wedding, there is no right or wrong way to spend time with loved ones. Weddings are busy for the newlyweds. Some couples miss the chance to eat, it can be difficult to get enough time with friends and family—especially out-of-towners. This is where a rehearsal dinner or welcome party steps in. Allowing the couple a chance to slow down before the wedding and spend time with all the people that made this day even possible.
What's the difference?
The welcome party is a chance to welcome your guests to your wedding and give them a taste of what's in store. It tends to be more informal, ranging from a cocktail reception at your favorite bar to a backyard barbecue. The rehearsal dinner is usually a smaller, more intimate gathering of the bridal party and close relatives, which makes sense since it typically follows a ceremony rehearsal. During dinner, friends and family gather to offer heartfelt toasts and share a delicious meal.
Who's invited?
For the welcome party you will want to open it up to all guest, especially if you are having a destination wedding. If the budget is tight consider a more relaxed event. We suggest a picnic on the beach or rent out a park pavilion and have a BBQ. With a welcome party most couples just stick to small bites, drinks, music, and maybe a few activities. The rehearsal dinner has a much smaller guest list. You will invited the wedding party, their dates, and your immediate families. You may also want to consider inviting any out-of-towners, so long as it's not a destination wedding. If it's a destination wedding everyone would be traveling so you are not obligated to invite them all. A rehearsal dinner can be a more wallet friendly option if you have a large guest list.
Do we need to have a reversal dinner or welcome party?
The short answer is no! Ultimately it's your celebration do what makes you and your fiancé happy. If budget is a tight then I would skip theses events and put your money towards the main event. The event doesn't need to be over-the-top. But if you have room in the budget and would like another opportunity to spend time with your loved ones, go for it. These pre-wedding events do give you a change to spend more time with people you might not see often. It also gives you a chance to thank your parents and wedding party for all they have done.
Reno Tahoe places to host Rehearsal and Welcome Party ideas and tips, check out the guide!
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