Wedding Blog
If you think about it, the term “rehearsal dinner” is kinda funny… why would you need to practice eating dinner? HA! Yea yea, I know, it refers to the dinner after the rehearsal, hehe. 
So anyways, this has been the big topic of discussion with my parents lately! Considering that we haven’t had such a big family reunion in… ever, they feel the need to go above and beyond, and really “take care” of all our relatives who will be making the trek to Chi-town. Initially my parents were considering a Chinese/Taiwanese restaurant about 20 - 25 minutes away from our venue. But there is a good chance that the restaurant will be changing owners in the near future, and my parents are adamant that once this happens the quality will go downhill. I wasn’t a big fan of this place anyways, but that still left the question of: where to host it?
Then last night we celebrated my mom’s birthday at our favorite Japanese restaurant, Sushi Inn. It is a little dive restaurant, tucked away in an unattractive strip mall. But we have been going there for almost 10 years, are friends with the owners, and the food is delish! As we sat there, it suddenly occurred to us… why don’t we host it HERE? The place seats 52 people max, and our guest count is approximate 40-ish. With some pre-arangement, the owners can create great prix-fixe menus with some truly unique dishes! I really hope my parents decide to host the dinner here…
Anyways, so I thought I’d pose a rehearsal dinner survey to get the scoop on what others are doing!
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Share this post: Practice Makes Perfect
I’d love to buy out a restaurant for my actual wedding reception. How much do you think it might cost to buy-out the place for your rehearsal dinner?
The scene: a phone call in April 2006
Groom’s mother: Have you decided where the wedding is going to be?
Groom: Well, we’ve given it a lot of thought, and we’d like to have it in your backyard, if that’s…
Groom’s mother: *gasp* We’ll host a big rehearsal dinner! And a brunch! And we’ll invite all the people from out of town!
So yeah, the “rehearsal dinner” has been blown entirely out of proportion, to the extent that we’ve renamed it the “welcome party.” The actual rehearsal will be at noon on the day of the (4:30 pm) wedding, followed by sandwiches from a fun takeout place we like.
we got a private box at a local baseball team’s game. we are inviting around 30 people and we’ll be catering it as well. we’re inviting the family too. i think the relatives are looking forward to this more than the wedding =)
Our wedding is in Asheville, NC and the groom’s parents were so upset we didn’t choose the Biltmore House (the largest privately owned house in America and where we had prom in high school) for the reception location that they are hosting the rehearsal dinner there. I am already worried my nephews and other wedding party children will break something. I wanted something more relaxed and cheaper (so that they would be able to help with the honeymoon). It is $85 a person for just food (not counting the open bar, venue rental, decorations, tipping, etc.) which is costly for our area and I think the money could have been spent better but oh well, they were adamant about having it there.
Interesting to see how many invite the OOT’s. It was too hard for us to draw the line on the OOT’s, so we made the RD just for the wedding party, and the OOT’s had their own fun stuff they did at the same time. Both groups intermingled later that night and it was no-hurt-feelings that OOT’s weren’t at the RD. The OOT’s figured the RD was a special TY to the wedding party.
Iris–I went to one last year that could have used a clear division like that. When I walked in, I thought, “This wedding party must be huge!” Nope. It was the wedding party and their spouses…and some close family members but not all…and a couple from out of the country…and some friends of the bride…
I’m sure the other two-thirds of the wedding guests were wondering what they needed to do to qualify for both dinners.
I love Sushi Inn, it’s definitely one of the restaurants I miss around Chicago. Is there a specific location you’re looking for? I’m pretty familiar with restaurants around the West Burbs, Northern burbs and Chinatown. Contact me if you have any questions..
Thanks, Sarah. I should clarify that ours was wedding party plus their spouses. The wedding party’s kids were invited but everyone elected to leave them (including flowergirl, per her mother’s discretion) at home. It’s just as well because it got pretty late.
MJW, my FI is from the Asheville area, too!
I really want a fun party feel for the rehearsal dinner. FI’s older brother had BBQ (made by his dad!) at his rehearsal dinner. I would LOVE to have that as well, but we would be the third couple from his family to do that. Not sure what I think about that.
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Mrs. Emerald, Chicago
Age and Occupation: 26, Wedding Planner
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Paralegal
Engagement Date: October 8, 2006
Wedding Date: September 2007
Blogging Since: November 29, 2006
Venue: Hyatt Lodge, Oak Brook IL
About Me: I have been dreaming about my wedding forever, and flipping through bridal magazines since high school, so I am in my element! I am calling our theme "Vintage Inspired French/Asian Fusion." Mr. Emerald is very involved in the planning process, but of course he generally defers to me cuz I have a strong opinion of how I want everything to be :-).
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