Is it rude not to have a rehearsal dinner if you are on a tight budget?

Question

We would have to have a rehearsal dinner at a restaurant!

Answer 1

No, it's not rude but you should get together after the rehearsal. The rehearsal dinner is mainly for out-of-town guests, immediate family, and close friends. You guys could just have a BBQ.

Answer 2

No, it is not rude NOT to have a Rehearsal dinner but the Bride and Groom should not be "hosting" (paying for) it.

The Groom's Mother and/or Father are traditionally the host or hostess of the Rehearsal Dinner. And if the Groom's parents cannot host the Rehearsal Dinner than a family friend or close relative of the Bride or Groom's should host the Rehearsal Dinner. Neither the Bride nor Groom nor the Bride's parents should be involved with the planning and organizing or hosting of the Rehearsal Dinner. If you feel you have no other alternatives than consider picking up some "deli trays" or a few buckets of chicken from a caterer or a grocery store. Or how about going out for a pizza? That certainly would be a lot less expensive than going out to a restaurant. Keep in mind: people always remember the "negative" things before they remember the "positive" things and your wedding party members will remember that someone didn't treat them to a Rehearsal Party.

Answered by: A Certified wedding specialist / A Professional bridal consultant / A Wedding ceremony officiant

Answer 3

I'm not sure if I'd call it RUDE necessarily but it would not be normal. You CAN do a rehearsal dinner even on a tight budget. When my best friend got married, she had LOTS of people who would be attending the rehearsal dinner so she couldn't afford to have it in a fancy restaurant or anything. She did something equally wonderful - she rented out a facility that was in the local park. She had a local BBQ restaurant cater it - there were loads of bbq chicken, pork, ribs, etc. Of course, now we're from the south so that's the kind of food we eat - you would want to choose something else if you're in a different part of the U.S. She also hired a local band to play for entertainment. It was GREAT! If you can't afford a caterer, think about the people in your family who cook! I'm going to a wedding next week where the groom's family is all pitching in to cook the rehearsal dinner!

I hope this helps!

Answer 4

I read someone elses answer and I loved it, "no rule of ettiquite ever said you had to do something you couldn't afford" or something along those lines!

You don't have to have a rehearsal dinner in the first place if you don't want to, for any reason. If you are on a tight budget and would still like to do something, you could have a little cocktail party type of thing at your parents house, or someones house. Just a little gathering, nothing big. Make all the food yourselves, finger foods, etc.

My rehearsal at the church is the night before my wedding at 6pm. So we thought we would just have everyone over to my parents house afterwards for drinks and deserts. I'm not doing the whole rehearsal dinner at a restaurant thing, and I'm completely fine with it. It's not a money thing for me either, it's what works. Not that I want to spend a bunch more money on that though, lol. Do what makes you happy, and what makes it easier on you guys too! :)

Good luck! :)

Answer 5

No, I don't think it's rude at all. There's no requirement to have a dinner, so don't feel bad. If you're worried about taking care of your wedding party during the rehearsal, you can always bring inexpensive light refreshments or snacks during the rehearsal itself -- they usually last an hour or so anyways, so some bottled waters and some fruit or nuts can keep energy up. The last wedding I was in had a rehearsal dinner at the bride's mother's house because she lived near the location. It was very informal and cost-conscious, but that didn't make it any less of a great time. The bride and groom brought in food from their favorite BBQ place. It was in the middle of summer so everyone just sat outside, hanging out by a fire pit and everyone got to know all the wedding party members and visiting family members very well. During the wedding itself, it felt like we knew everyone and made it that much more special.

Answer 6

Where I'm from, people don't have rehearsal dinners. The ceremony rehearsal is usually around 7 p.m. the evening before the wedding, then someone from one of the families usually has the couple, parents, wedding party, and siblings over to their home for drinks and munchies. My older sister hosted ours in her home, but other family members helped with food and desserts.
So it's not rude to not have a dinner, but it's nice to have some sort of get-together.

Answer 7

I wouldn't have a rehearsal then. Also there is no rule that says it has to be at a restaurant. My brother's rehearsal dinner was a cookout in our backyard. My cousin's was a pizza party. Mine was just some hot food at my mom's. It doesn't have to be expensive. Most of the one's I've been too included cold cuts and wings and casual food.

Answer 8

You dont have to do it at a restaurant. The point of it is so everyone in your wedding party knows what to do. It's not rude but it's not smart either, why not just have a cookout somewhere with ONLY the wedding party so you can rehearse. It's cheaper and you wont have to worry about everone stumbling over each other on your big day. Even a cocktail party with just picky foods will get it done.

Answer 9

I don't think its rude not to have one, but you could still have a get together after the rehearsal. Done the whole wedding on a very tight budget and still gave the wedding party and then some a wonderful rehearsal evening.
Be creative and remember, it's your wedding!!!!!!! If they don't like things that your doing, and make a fuss, they don't care very much for you or your fiance' .
Blessing to you on your marriage.

Answer 10

I don't think it is rude at all,especially since you are on a tight budget! I would have a few friends or relatives get some food from the local grocery store Deli and have things like fried chicken,pasta salad,potato salad,macaroni salad,baked beans,chips and dip,fruit trays,vegetable trays,and drinks either pop or some champagne to toast the happy couple.

All of you could get together for a really nice barbecue or picnic and have somebody bring some hamburgers,hot dogs,and other things too,to go along with the foods that I mentioned above. I know that it may sound kind of silly,but I would throw a barbecue or picnic for my daughter if she was getting married,and I would ask everyone who was attending to bring a passing dish along with the recipe for the dish that they bring.

There could be a person who buys the pop,chips and dip,salads,etc... and people could pitch in on the cost of the whole meal. Good luck and don't feel bad if you can't afford a nice meal at a really fancy restaurant!! ;-)