Weddingbee Blog

Back in the winter Mr. Grasshopper and I had decided to check out Chestnut during Brooklyn Restaurant week. We had heard good things about it and it was conveniently located in our neighborhood. After about two bites of their homemade bread and gnocchi, I had declared that we should figure out a way to have our rehearsal dinner there and Alex agreed.

I assumed that because they are a small establishment, there was no way they would go for a 40 person rehearsal dinner on a Friday night, but when Mr. Grasshopper called to check in a few weeks later they said yes, and that they even had a garden. Bonus! Meals always taste better when consumed outdoors, I think.

We told one friend we painted this fence a few days before the wedding and he believed us.

Throughout the summer, we worked with chef Daniel Eardley and sommelier Michael Connolly. They were two of my favorite vendors throughout the planning. They are relaxed and talented and when talking about the rehearsal dinner, they would always say “we are going to have a great time.” I loved that-they offered such a high level of enthusiasm for our event. They helped us craft a menu consisting of fresh seasonal food as well as some of our favorites from their regular menu (haystack shrimp, gnocchi w/ pancetta, pork tenderloin wrapped in bacon, homemade ice cream and wrapping it up with the really delicious chocolate budino or root beer float).

Bacon wrapped pork tenderloin

The night of the rehearsal dinner offered perfect outdoor dining weather so we were able to set up entirely outside in the garden. We arrived at 6:30 p.m. and had some champagne and passed hors d’oeuvres (go mini lobster rolls, go!), while everyone got to catch up and meet before we started the rehearsal. I think this was a great way to start the evening because by the time the rehearsal was underway, eveyone had a drink (or two!) and felt comfortable with the other guests they had just met that evening.

The kids’ table

After the passed hors d’oeuvres and the rehearsal, we all sat down for dinner. The tables were set up as two, long banquet tables which fulfilled my banquet table desire I had wanted for the wedding, but didn’t work well with our venue’s space. Everyone seemed really pleased with the food and dinner wrapped up with some really nice toasts from a few members of our bridal party. My Dad got a special shout out/toast during dinner for commandeering my dress from the Gown Company and everyone cheered. I think he was thrilled.

Here is Oliver’s toast, where he gives himself credit for the marriage of Mr. Grasshopper and me. Hilarious!

We thanked our bridal party for being part of our day with bags from Brooklyn Industries for the guys and Kate Spade wallets for the ladies. They were (seemingly) a huge a hit.

Marisa loves her wallet!

The ladies

A few glasses of wine later…

This little guy (my new newphew), made it out for the rehearsal dinner only five days after being born (with the doc’s approval of course)! Yeah Kota! Thanks for making it!

Once dinner started to wind down, we gathered the younger guests and headed over to our favorite neighborhood bar, Floyd to meet some more local guests for drinks and bocce. Mr. Grasshopper and I stuck it out for a couple drinks and packed it in a little after midnight in an effort to not be hungover, er, I mean, undermine our ability to be coherent the following day.

Bocce at Floyd

I am very gabby here.

The rehearsal dinner was the perfect way to kick-off the wedding weekend. We were able to share a little part of our neighborhood, catch up with our out of town guests and eat some delicious food before the big day. If you are in Cobble Hill looking for a place to eat, I would highly recommend Chestnut (as I have before because I am obsessed with it).