Wedding Blog
As we were addressing our rehearsal dinner invites yesterday, I realized that nowhere on the invitation does it say anything about the actual rehearsal. Dinner? Check. Directions from the church to the dinner? Check. Rehearsal? Not so much.
(Picture of the inside of our church, found here)
I hopped onto Google to see if I could find anything about the proper etiquette for letting your wedding party know what time they should be at the church for the rehearsal.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t find anything concrete. I checked the Weddingbee boards, but everything I found seemed to leave it all up in the air. My first inclination is to send an insert with the rehearsal dinner invites to those people who need to be at the rehearsal first (we have invited several guests to the dinner who will not need to be at the rehearsal).
I thought about just spreading the word via phone call, but I think that having it in writing somewhere would also help just to make sure people have an idea of when they need to be there (and plenty of warning in case getting off of work early is needed).
How did you all let your wedding party know when/where they needed to be for the rehearsal? If you are sending an insert with your invitation, what wording did you use?
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I sent them an email. Very formal, I know 
But it seemed to work! 
I am sending the wedding party a schedule of events for the weekend. I will include the rehearsal times in that.
I included it in the invitation at the bottom.
Wedding Rehearsal to be held at X:XX p.m.
Church’s Name
Address
Hope this helps
We sent emails individually to all persons invited to either a) rehearsal, b) rehearsal dinner, and/or c) day after brunch.
Once we had one template (we actually used mac email “stationary” with an e-pic at the top and they were really nice looking), we could cut & paste and recreate and adjust for each person we sent the invite to based on which thing they were invited to. Also, the RSVP by just replying has so far made it super easy (sent them yesterday and have 6 RSVPs back today). I’m really glad we went the email route for all this stuff.
I am having the same issue. I think an insert is probably the way to go.
“Hey, tomorrow, show up around 11, and we’ll run through it and then have lunch.”
I saw one invitation that says:
Bridal Party meeting at
6:00 p.m.
XXX Church
I was thinking of trying that if your invitations aren’t printed.
An insert that reads:
Before (Bride) and (Groom)
can walk down the aisle
We must get together
for a quick wedding trial
The rehearsal will begin
at (time) on the dot
Where the Mr. and Mrs.
will soon tie the knot
Once we have practiced
we hope you will stay
We will gather for dinner
before we part ways.
We went the e-mail route, as well. We had several people invited to the dinner that didn’t need to be at the rehearsal. I had been keeping in contact with everyone in the wedding party through e-mail since the early stages, so luckily I knew it was a route that would work.
Because we had a tiny wedding party and tons of out-of-town guests, my Mom hosted a “welcome dinner” (catered BBQ at her house) rather than a “rehearsal dinner” for everyone.
We did an insert in the wedding invite for all out of town guests which read
Welcome Dinner
the mother of the bride
Mom’s Name Here
invites you to a barbeque at her home
for out-of-town friends and family
Date/Time
Address
RSVP by XXX
phone:
email:
I’ll probably send an email to those involved when we have the time/date set, and then send a more casual invitation utilizing VistaPrints fantastic discounts. I’ll design two invites…one for those who need to be at the rehearsal & dinner, and one for those who only need to be at the dinner (less is better at the rehearsal).
I guess I’ve never seen info for rehearsal & dinner done with the actual wedding invites. I’ve always received something seperately about two weeks or so before the wedding (so they don’t forget about it).
We didn’t do anything cute - we just called everyone.
No invites. I e-mailed the BMs. My husband called his GMs. We both told our parents what time to be there. Some where late, but I don’t think any kind of insert would have assisted with that. Ha!
Since you do have actual invites, I think an insert would be great, maybe with a friently reminder that says “the faster we get through with the practice, the faster we can go to dinner!”
I sent out a cute little card (DIY courtesy of Michael’s) with this poem on the inside:
Mr. S popped the question
And Miss W. said “Yes”
All the planning is over
From the flowers to the dress
Only one thing remains
For this day to be great
“Practice makes Perfect”
August 31st is the date
We’ll practice the ceremony
And iron out the kinks
Then it’s off to Giordano’s
For some dinner and drinks!
and then, requested that they RSVP via evite.com
Private message me if you want to see pictures of the final result.
For each of my brides, I usually make a newsletter for their bridal party that introduces who I am, important times and announcements, all of the weekend’s festivities, hair and makeup appointments, rehearsal and dinner times, etc. Typically, I snail mail them a copy AND send one via email (It’s funny just how many of those darn things “get lost in the mail”). Good luck.
I like the idea for an insert for the Rehearsal itself! I’m not sure if it’s the proper etiquette - but at least it will be in writing for those who easily forget.
We’ve got a small party, so will be spreading the word ourselves. To make sure we’re all on the same page, it will be included in the itinerary of events for everyone involved, which will be emailed prior to the big day. Hard copies will also be distributed - everyone will be in town prior to the rehearsal, so we’re all set.
I really like Emily and LadySu’s ideas.
We’re putting this insert into the invitation for just those invited to this:
FFIL and FMIL
Request your company at a Rehearsal Dinner
In honor of
B and G
Friday, March 20, 2009 at 6:00 pm
at Bauern-Stube Restaurant
8015 South Orange Avenue
Immediately following a 5:30 p.m. Wedding Rehearsal
at Langford Park
1808 East Central Boulevard
RSVP to the bride by February 1
phone number
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Mrs. Hydrangea, Dallas
Age and Occupation: 26, Administrative Assistant
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 27, Network Analyst
Engagement Date: June 2007
Wedding Date: September 2008
Blogging Since: January 14, 2008
Venue: Catholic Church and Reception at The W Hotel
About Me: Mr. H and I come from very different cultures and backgrounds so I'm excited to plan our wedding with a balance of both traditions. My mom has always been a DIY queen, and I'm just now starting to get into it with a new house and a wedding to plan!
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