Who makes reservations for the wedding rehearsal dinner?

Question

Our son is getting married soon and I was wondering who is supposed to make the reservations for the wedding rehearsal dinner and who chooses where to have it? I know we, the groom's partents are to pay for this dinner. Is there any limit on how many people we pay for. I assume the in-laws are included.
If anyone has any good info on this subject I would appreciate your help.
I really don't even know what our responsibilties are in this wedding. Can anyone help? Do I do anything special for the bride? Like a party?

Answer 1

Hello there! the Groom's side of the family is suppose to take care of the rehearsal dinner....as far as where to have it can be determined by either side as long as both are happy. The dinner is suppose to consist of all the wedding party and immediate family. The best bet is to get with the bride and see what she thinks as well..that will definitely help! The brides parents are suppose to take care of the reception and church...it also depends on who is more financially stable...everybody should work together that way its easy to determine whos doing what ! :)

Answer 2

It is an opportunity for the grooms parents to welcome the in-laws so its entirely up to you and your son. There is no rule that it has to be large or formal. It is important to include the wedding party, and close family and anyone else you would like to include. This dinner gives the bride and groom the opportunity to thank all the attendants give them their gifts thank the parents for their efforts etc. As far as your wedding responsibilities you are expected to be part of the receiving line usually near the front, should either one of you want to make a speech its ok as long as its not too long and not before the best man and father of the bride. Beyond that you should be welcoming to all the guests from both sides and mingle and just have fun and celebrate!

Answer 3

I'd think if you and your spouse are paying for the dinner then you need to be the one to make the reservations, as for where to go consult with the bride and groom and see if they have a preference.

As for who is invited , it needs to be the wedding party. I'd include everyone involved, even those who are just manning the guest book or helping with the reception, the dinner is to show appreciation for those involved.

I know what we did for mine was we just went back to my soon to be in-laws and just had sandwiches and finger food. The dinner is right after the rehearsal which is the night before the wedding.

Answer 4

I think you as a couple need to get together with your son and his girlfriend, along with the other parents, and have a plan. These days, most couples are working, so they usually pay for their own weddings. Parents just kick in some money if they want. Mostly, the old traditions about who pays for what are pretty much gone out of the window.
My sister had rehearsal parties for her sons at her home, after the rehearsal at the church in the evening. So she just prepared snackies (well, it was pretty much a meal anyway), but it was casual. I have never before heard of having a formal rehearsal dinner out at a restaurant or somewhere until I read it on Answers.

Answer 5

The rehearsal dinner is traditionally the groom's family's responsibility. It's up to you whether or not you want to limit how many people you'll pay for. When I scheduled my rehearsal dinner my than future mother-in-law gave me a number to work with. I took her number and made all the plans myself within the budget that was set for me. Just let your son and future bride know how much you're willing to shell out. For my rehearsal dinner I invited the wedding party their significant other, our parents, and our grandparents -- I believe I spent between $15 and $20 per person.

It's up to you whether or not you want to do something special for the bride. My mother-in-law wanted to take me shopping to buy me something special for the wedding. She bought my bra which was a little weird but I think it was because it was the only thing I hadn't bought yet.

Some brides have two bridal showers -- one for her family and one for his family -- I had one to which everyone was invited. Talk to her maid-of-honor (or her) and see which she would prefer. You could definitely help plan a shower for her.

Congrats and have fun!

Answer 6

The Father of the groom is responsible for the rehearsal dinner. It can be as simple or lavish as he chooses. The people that should be invited are the wedding party, the bride's family, out of town guests, and generally the officiant.

Answer 7

Since your paying you can basically do whatever you want. I would check with the bride and groom and get their opinions. They might want to have it someplace special like a restuarant they went to on their first date or they might not even care at all. You could even cook a dinner to save money and have it at your home. Usually the rehearsal dinner just includes the attendants and your in-laws. If you want to be nice you could even ask the officiant if he would like to join you and even the attendants dates.

As far as doing anything for the bride call her mother or her maid of honor and tell her you want to help with the bridal shower. That's really the only thing you can do for her.

Answer 8

The person that pays for the dinner gets to decide where the dinner is (with input from the bride and groom, of course). Our rehearsal dinner included everyone in the wedding party, immediate family and close friends of the bride and groom.

As for other duties, you need to speak with your son and his fiance to see what they expect from you. Better to get a straight answer then do nothing and get chastised for it later.

Answer 9

Hi, 1st do you live in the same area as where the wedding is going to be? If not speak to the bride and tell her that while you are happy to pay for the rehersal dinner, you would be delighted if she would choose a place that she is happy with. That also goes if you live near each other. We all know that brides like to be in control, so she probally already has a place in mind.
As for a limit of people. typically you, the in-laws, bride/groom, anyone involved in the ceremony (clergyman, bridemaids/groomsman,readers, ect.) should be invited and any out of town guest. You really can't limit the people if they are involved (oh yeah, I would include the Aunts/Uncles and Grandparents as well) Everything is going to be picked out by the bride, we tend to want to control everything. As for your other obligations, a bridal shower is typically thrown by her bridesmaids (it's considered rude if the mother pays for it, like she is asking for presents for her daughter, although most moms do pay for it), you can offer to through an engagement party for the happy couple, if it is not to late, and again if you don't live near the bride you can host another shower for your family if you don't think they would be willing to travel to the brides area. If you really want to start the marriage off right, just be up front with the bride and ask her what she would like from you. Ask her if she has a color in mind for your dress and if she would like to come with you to look for one. Make sure you know what her mom is going to be wearing so you don't do the same color. Good luck!

Answer 10

The groom's parents host the rehearsal dinner so yes, you would make the reservations. I would ask the bride and groom where they would like it. And yes you pay for it entirely and no, there isn't a limit. The groom's parents are also supposed to pay for the entire honeymoon.