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One of the major tasks still sitting on our “To-Do” list is finding a place for the rehearsal dinner. I’m pretty eager to get this done because, plain and simple, I love to eat. And I love to plan. And I really love planning to eat. So why is this very important task still waiting to be completed? Well, we’ve run into a, um, big issue that’s making choosing a venue a little harder than we anticipated.
The problem? I know I haven’t introduced you to them quite yet, but this is our wedding party:
And that’s MINUS two people (where the heck were ya Pirate* sis?). It’s not the biggest wedding party that ever existed, but we’re definitely going to need more than a table for ten. Also, since 90% of our guests are coming from out of town, we want to include aunts, uncles, and cousins in the dinner… plus my friends from college that aren’t in the wedding party… and maybe some local Chicago friends. You see where this is going? At this rate, we’ll need to rent an entire Wrigley Field rooftop to fit everyone (I SO wish the Cubs were in town that weekend).
The solution to our problem may be as simple as… The Welcome Party. We ARE having a welcome party on Friday evening. One of Sparks’ groomsmen has generously offered to let us use his building’s gigantic rooftop patio and lounge. It’s minutes from our venue site, has a stunning view of the city, and can easily accomodate our crowd.
Fourth of July rooftop shenanigans
The solution would be to have a semi-intimate dinner, with only the wedding party and our immediate families, followed by a “big-as-we’d-like-it” welcome party in the lounge.
We also have the second option of having a catered rehearsal dinner right there on the rooftop. In the long run, this could be more affordable/comfortable if we decide to invite 40-50 people. We would also be able to give a few speeches, have a photo slide show (if we want to), and give our parents their gifts with total privacy. However, we would have to worry about early arrivals for the welcome party, and possibly having to cut the dinner short (we can’t exactly make them wait in the hall 
).
What do you think, hive? Should we opt for a more intimate restaurant dinner (perhaps look for a private room)? Or go big on the rooftop?
*Second-youngest sis is an ECU pirate, so she will be referred to as Pirate Sis from now on…because it sounds awesome.
We did the combo platter for our pre-wedding festivities. I wanted the pricier, fancier “thank you” dinner for our wedding party and immediate family, but I also wanted a more casual cocktail party for all the out of town folks that traveled to get to our wedding.
We did the rehearsal pretty early, went to dinner at a great seafood restaurant at the beach, and then met all the out of towners for drinks and light snacks back at my parents’ house. It worked well, and I got the best of all worlds!
I personally think the smaller dinner with just the wedding party and immediate family, followed by the bigger welcome party is the way to go. If you invite everyone to the dinner, it might leave your wedding party feeling a little bit less than special.
unless you’re wedding is super formal, why not have a more laid back rehearsal “dinner” at a park and make it a barbeque or potluck? You could set up lawn games like croquet for entertainment, and many parks have shelters you could use for food and seating. Not only would it fit all of your guests, but it would probably be a little cheaper than paying a restaurant or catering service!
Have everyone you want there. Life is short - the more the merrier, just try to get it to end early so the guys/girls don’t get loaded 
I love that view from the rooftop! That’s so awesome that you have the option of using that space!
GO PIRATES!!!!
I think I would go with the rooftop option. I was leaning toward just having our rehearsal dinner at my parents’ house, but Mr. Biscuit’s parents generously are inviting around 80 people to a private party in a restaurant. It will be great, but I would have also liked having something more informal at my home :).
I went to a wedding with a welcome party where all out-of-towners attended - we had a fantastic time. It was low-key at her parents house, in their backyard. Super, super fun, and a great way for people to get to know each other before the wedding. Whatever you choose, the rooftop must be involved! Rooftops are always a good idea, I think!
We are also having a welcome party for our destination wedding. We have rented a double decker bus and are going to ride around the Las Vegas strip. Cool, huh? Yeah, we thought so. I think you should do an intimate restaurant dinner followed by the roof top party. This way your time isn’t cut short/interupted and guests who aren’t invited to the dinner won’t feel left out.
Chicago rooftop - definitely do it! I think the catered dinner there and then others join later for the welcome party sounds perfect. Just leave some extra time between when you think dinner will end and you want additional guests to arrive, and you should be fine. I am jealous. It’s a great combo, and you won’t have to lose any travel time or have to worry about your guests getting in cabs to head to the rooftop from a restaurant, or renting a trolley or something.
Can I tell you that it’s so nice to know that we aren’t the only one wishing that the cubs were in town and that there were easy solutions to rehearsal dinner woes? I think that the rooftop dinner with a welcome party for everyone else is the easiest option with the least amount of stress for you.
What an awesome venue! I like the idea of a private dinner followed by the welcome party afterwards. If you schedule dinner early enough hopefully that will give you enough time to finish up in anticipation of any early arrivals? Good luck with your decision!
That’s quite a wedding party! I would do a private dinner with the louder, larger welcome party to follow. Sort of a kick-off to gear you up for the next day!
We are facing the same issue (but where is our friend with the amazing rooftop!?) I vote rooftop. You guys seem like you have a fun group of family and friends that will mesh well and enjoy each other’s company. Ahhh, such an awesome view…take advantage!
Great solution, love that rooftop!! I think the private dinner with party after will be perfect, just make sure you don’t party too much! 
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Mrs. Sparkler, Chicago Age and Occupation: 27, Communications Aficionado Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Publisher Engagement Date: July 21, 2010 Wedding Date: September 2011 Venue: Chicago Illuminating Company About Me: I’m a Southern lady living in the big city of Chicago. Well, lady may be a stretch, but I’m working hard to keep some Virginia charm in our sleek, urban, wedding-palooza! I’m addicted to marathons, not-so-famous bands, Chicago restaurants, and Mark Twain. I cry during SPCA commercials, and I think LOST was the best show to ever hit television. Mr. S and I met at a classy college mixer and, 7 years later, he’s still by my side. He’s the only child, laid back, free spirit... I’m the oldest of five kids, type-A, organizer. It doesn’t work on paper, but we’ve never paid attention to that stuff anyway. Somehow it works. And like they say, sometimes when you know…you just know.
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