The Rehearsal Dinner

Our last post focused on The Rehearsal and all that it entails, so now we’re going to chat about The Rehearsal Dinner. 

Typically hosted by the Groom’s parents, this event occurs after the rehearsal of your ceremony. This is an event that you hubby-to-be might want to be involved in a bit more, and if it’s alright by you, you should let him pick the place, type of food and if there will be a theme. For some ideas, check out this article on The Knot. 

Most couples will have a semi-formal Rehearsal Dinner at a local restaurant or even at the venue if they have on site catering or a restaurant. The dress is business casual and the atmosphere is relaxed and enjoyable. Everyone is excited, and a little nervous as they await the wedding that is about to take place. The rehearsal dinner is the best time to present your parents and wedding party with their gifts and to thank them for their support, participation and love during your engagement. If you don’t like to make grandiose speeches, take the time to chat to each person and thank them – as you likely won’t have the time or the proper thought process to do it on your actual wedding day.

Who pays for the Rehearsal Dinner? Usually the Groom’s parents, but this is quite old fashioned as it was because the Bride’s parents paid for the wedding. Nowadays, couples are paying for their own wedding, or pitching in a 1/3 with both sets of parents. So when discussing the wedding budget, be sure to factor in the Rehearsal Dinner. Work out a total and method of payment that works for all parties involved.

Be sure to have fun at your rehearsal dinner, but we advise that you keep alcohol consumption to a minimum and try to limit your salt intake. You don’t want to be dehydrated or bloated on your wedding day. Enjoy the company of your family and friends and be sure to enjoy the moment.

So, who’s invited to the Rehearsal Dinner? Parents, Grandparents, the wedding party and their significant others and your officiant (specifically if you’re a member of a church). If you have guests coming from out of town for your wedding, it’s a nice gesture to invite them to the dinner as well.

Whomever is hosting the event should send out the invites about 3 weeks prior to the wedding. It’s usually assumed that there will be a rehearsal followed by a dinner, but you should still send out a formal invite. Need some ideas? Check out these rehearsal dinner invitations by the Wedding Paper Divas.

Wishing you a fabulous time at your Rehearsal Dinner!

The Rehearsal

You know when you were in dance class as a little girl and they had many rehearsals for the recital? Remember  you practiced your dance steps repeatedly and how to smile big for the audience in front of your mirror? As the recital grew closer, you probably even had a dress rehearsal - well, you won't get that for your wedding, but  you should at least have a rehearsal.

The ceremony is the most important part of a wedding, heck, there is no wedding without the exchange of the vows and rings. Once more than one person is involved in something, it becomes a bit of a production, therefore you need to practice. And practice makes perfect, right? Well, not really, but close.

Having a rehearsal will help put everyone on the same page as to how the ceremony will play out. When they are to arrive, to what location, how they are to dress, what they should say and do and so on.
The rehearsal is also a good time for you to ask any questions you might have to your Officiant, Coordinator and venue.

Typically the rehearsal is held the evening before your wedding and consists of the Bride, Groom, Wedding Party and immediate family members. You should try to have it at your church/venue if you can - even if there is a slight up charge. Being able to walk down the aisle a few times prior to your big day will help ease your anxiety of doing it in front of a few dozen people.

Have fun at your rehearsal, but not too much (ahem, Groomsmen, this means you). You'll want to listen carefully to whomever is directing it be your Officiant or Coordinator. You'll want to pay attention to the cues and to where you are to stand.

After the rehearsal is the Rehearsal Dinner usually hosted by the Groom's parents. This is the time you can let loose and have some fun.

So, we suggest that you have a rehearsal for your wedding. Even if it has to occur a week or a few days before. It's a great way to get everyone together in a less formal way, but still be able to cover the important aspects of what lies ahead for the most important day of your life.

Etiquette Tip: Setting a Table

Do you know how to properly set a table for an event? Maybe you're hosting a Bridal Shower, Rehearsal Dinner or just simply a Dinner Party and you have no idea what is proper etiquette for the table setting.

Here are a few diagrams to show you just how to do it.

Informal:
This set up is great for casual Bridal Showers, Baby Showers, Breakfasts or Luncheons.

Almost everyone has the silverware and dishware displayed in this diagram. If you're not serving alcohol, you should remove the wine class and replace it with a saucer and cup (which normally sits beside the soup spoon, but you can put it where the wineglass would be to save some space).

Remember this, you always enjoy your meal from the outside in.

Formal:

Now it gets a whole lot trickier. If you're hosting an event where you are the one setting the table, then take note. Again, you eat from the outside in, finishing your meal at the top with the dessert spoon and or cake fork. After each course, you should be removing the appropriate silverware and dishware.

At the end of the meal, you should only be left with the place card, water glass, cup and saucer, napkin and dessert utensils & plate.

Remember to place your napkin on your lap, and if you excuse yourself from the table during the meal, place it on your chair (or on the back of your chair if it's not overly soiled). The only time you can place your napkin on the table is when you are finished eating. Another way to signal that you are finished is to place your dinner fork and dinner knife side by side with the ends resting at the 5 if your plate was a clock. If you cross your knife and fork over one another to form an 'x', this tells the serving staff that you are not finished, but merely taking a break (ie: restroom).

As a guest, do your best to follow the place setting and using the proper utensil for the meal. If you're unsure, watch what others are doing at your table and you'll be just fine.

Bon Appetite!

the Royal House of Love

Prince William will marry Catherine Middleton in 9 days!

As a Bride-to-be you might be just as excited about this wedding as we are! We'll be watching the Royal Wedding on April 29th, taking in all the glitz & glam!

It's been known that the Royals can be a bit stuffy. I hear that Kate & Wills aren't even allowed to kiss after their "I do's" within Westminster Abbey. But if you watch this "wedding rehearsal" video, it will show you that the Royals know how to cut loose and have a good time.....

*Video is a spoof from T-Mobile

* These are actors, not the Royals - although, wouldn't it be fab if this really happens? LOL!

Congrats Helen & Jason!

Helen & Jason tied the knot in a romantic ceremony at Webster's Falls on October 16th, 2010.

They contacted us back in February to secure our services for their rehearsal and ceremony. With the ceremony taking place outside, they wanted to make sure that someone was dedicated to coordinating the afternoon. From placing the chairs, setting up the shepard's hooks with flower baskets, coordinating the Officiant & Musicians, receiving the flower delivery and assisting the wedding party - we were on-site ensuring the location was ready for their "I do's".

Helen & Jason were the most laid-back couple I've had the pleasure to work with - it was such a joy to be  a part of their special day. Helping me out on Oct 16th was Amanda, she's looking to get involved further in Wedding Planning and I hope that assisting me brought her further motivation to stay on the path she's currently on. Her help was very much appreciated.

Like most weddings I coordinate, I shed a tear (or two) when the Bride is about to walk down the aisle - and Helen was no exception. As she walked along the pathway towards the giant willow tree arm in arm with her Dad I couldn't help but smile - but then the 2 of them linked up with her Mother who was waiting at the top of the aisle and that's when I teared up.

The weather was beautiful - they couldn't have planned it better for an outdoor ceremony! Their reception site, Dundas Valley Golf & Curling Club also looked fabulous as we got to see it before we completed our services for the day.

Thanks again to Helen & Jason for including us in your most special day - and once again, CONGRATS!

Perfect Picnic

I simply adore this idea of a ‘picnic wedding’. What a perfect idea for a spring or summer wedding – or even for a Bridal Shower or Rehearsal lunch.

Pick a few of your favourite food items (that are packable, and not easily perishable) and put together a delectable ‘basket’ for each of your guests. If you’re working with a caterer, they can put all this together for you using your instructions.

It’s the little touches of this simple idea that make it so perfect – customized labels, colour coordination with ribbon & tissue paper and oh-so-pretty packaging. Adorable!

To see how this was put together visit Project Wedding for details.

Wanting to do something like this for your next event? We'd love to help - we're chalk full of ideas!!