Having a rehearsal dinner after your wedding rehearsal is customary. It is best to have the dinner at a restaurant that has many options available to the guests. Many couples choose to pay for this dinner out of their own pocket to show appreciation for all of the hard work and dedication their friends and family put into their wedding. If you are having a rehearsal dinner in the near future, use the following guide to learn what things to take into consideration before the day arrives.

Choose a Venue

The first thing you need to do is choose the restaurant for your rehearsal dinner. You want to choose a location that is easy for everyone to find and somewhat close to people's homes. You need to make sure that the venue has plenty of room for all of your guests and that there is ample parking available. The last thing you want your guests to have to do is struggle to find a parking spot.

Choose a Buffet

If you are planning to pay for the entire meal, consider opting for a buffet rather than a sit down meal. This allows you to know exactly how much you can plan to pay for each person to ensure that you stay on budget.

Send Out Invitations

You want to be sure that people know when the rehearsal dinner is taking place and where. Sending out invitations to the event can help people to remember when it is taking place and use their GPS to find out where it is.

Make Centerpieces

It is important to remember that many pictures will more than likely be taken at the dinner. Create small centerpieces to place on the tables so that the pictures will tie in with the pictures that will be taken at your wedding and reception. The centerpieces do not need to be overly elaborate, but should at least contain the colors you plan to use in your wedding.

Arrive Early

You need to be sure that you arrive at the restaurant before your guests. This will allow you to rearrange seating as needed to ensure that everyone is able to sit next to the person they want to sit next to and that there is ample seating available for everyone.

These tips are quick and easy to incorporate into the planning for your rehearsal dinner. Most rehearsal dinners take a few hours, so being properly prepared can make the night go more smoothly.  

To learn more, contact a banquet center like Lucarelli's Banquet Center.