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It seemed so easy. We were going to have a cheap, easy rehearsal dinner at our home.
And then we decided to move. And we’re going to be moving to the suburbs about a month before the wedding (yes, I know that moving right before the wedding is crazypants, but that’ll be a later post).
We’re still going to be close, about twenty minutes outside of the city, but we realized that it would be a giant pain in the ass to rehearse at our venue in the city, drive to the ’burbs for dinner, and then come back into the city to stay in the hotel.
So we needed Plan B.
Unfortunately, Plan A had been so affordable ($10 per person) that all of the alternatives were over budget. I contacted practically every BYOB restaurant in the city, and there was no way to feed 20 people for any less than $30-$35 per person.
But finally, finally, finally, we found our solution.
The Arbol Cafe will provide yummy Paraguayan food for about $20 per person and we can bring in our own beer and wine. Yeah, it’s twice as much as we were planning on spending in the first place, but that’s better than three times as much, no?
Plus—and this is the best part—check out their outdoor eating area, which will be all ours for the night:
Another to-do checked off the list. Phew.
Where are you having your rehearsal dinner?
I’m glad it worked out for you! Paraguayan food will be a fun departure from the norm for your guests, too!
Im doing mine at bridget foys on south street (philly) and was able to do it affordably also. but im paraguayan and would love to try Arbol!
Moving a month before your wedding isn’t too too crazy. Mr. Library and I moved five days before our wedding! It was nuts! You should be relatively okay with a month.
[...] Rehearsal Dinner, Take Two | Weddingbee weddingbee.com/2011/01/22/rehearsal-dinner-take-two/ – view page – cached It seemed so easy. We were going to have a cheap, easy rehearsal dinner at our home. And then we decided to move. And we’re going to be moving to the Tags [...]
That looks perfect! We are planning on doing it at Paddy Whacks on South Street. I’d love a nicer place with better food, but we have 50 people for our rehearsal dinner which could be the price of a smaller wedding!
I’ll have to add the restaurant to my ever-growing list of places to dine in Philly. Looks like a cool, relaxed place to mellow the night before.
That outdoor area looks fantastic…you will have such a special rehearsal dinner!
And FYI, The Oatmeals are moving a few weeks before the wedding, in the middle of bridal showers and bachelor/ette parties galore. Yikes! Sending happy moving thoughts your way 
I am in loooooooove with that patio. And Paraguayan food? Never tried it but it sounds hella yummy!
Ooooh, that place looks awesome and it will be so much easier to just show up at your RD rather than host, I think you’ll be happy with this decision!!!
The outdoor seating area is gorgeous! I’ve never had Paraguayan food before, but that menu looks delicious. Lots of moving mojo being sent your (and Oatmeal’s) way!
oh wow I am absolutely loving this new location for the dinner. It has so much character and what a beautiful backdrop for some amazing pictures!
Since I’m not actually engaged yet, this is all hypothetical. I am hoping that SO will allow us to get married where I grew up. My parents live down the road from my childhood church. I’m hoping that my parents will allow us to have a casual rehearsal cookout in the backyard.
That looks great! It is hard to stomach the price difference though, I feel ya.
This is the one area I didn’t have much say. My FI really took over the searching and planning.
We’re thinking about something really low-key like pizza and beer. I think it will be a blast!
oh, i am totally jealous that you live somewhere with a paraguayan restaurant! how amazing!
[...] link: Rehearsal Dinner, Take Two | Weddingbee Related Posts:Introducing Miss Biscuit! | Weddingbee In case you glaze over it, let me remind you [...]
That place is fantastic!! Your guests will love it and it will really set the mood for the next day! I guess it’s too bad you need to double your budget on that, but that is one thing that is worth it…
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Ms. Sloth, Philadelphia Age and Occupation: 35, Account Manager and Fashion Blogger Fiance's Age and Occupation: 30, Design Admin Engagement Date: December 25, 2009 Wedding Date: May 2011 Venue: Bartram's Garden About Me: I'm an internet junkie and music snob with a good eye for a bargain. I couldn't live without thrift store shopping, cheeseburgers, sushi, Coke Zero, websites devoted to silly photos of baby animals, Photoshop, and Mr. Sloth. Speaking of which, he and I are a pair of goofball homebody nerds who love our beagle (the most ridiculously adorable dog EVER) to an embarrassing degree. We're planning a low-key and intimate yet festive and quirky outdoor wedding with DIY details and deeply personal touches, and it's all taking place in the city where we fell in love and call home: Philadelphia.
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