Can someone give me some ideas on having an inexpensive wedding rehearsal dinner ?

Question

Hello! Can someone please offer some ideas for an inexpensive wedding rehearsal dinner? Some family issues have really put a dent in our wedding budget so we are cutting back here and there. For the rehearsal dinner, what can I do that will be nice yet affordable? Catering is out of the question. The only thing I can come up with is doing vegetable and fruit platters. What do you think? Too cheap? Acceptable?

Thanks for the advice.

Answer 1

For my Rehearsal dinner we went to Sam's Club and bought a bunch of little finger foods and we also made little sandwiches. People loved it and it was really cheap. If you don't like that idea then ask people to bring their favorite dish or dessert. That way you will have a variety of meals! Hope this helps and congrats to you and your soon to be hubby! :)

Answer 2

The beautiful thing about the rehearsal dinner is that it can be anything you want it to be as long as you serve dinner, not just appetizers. My cousin had a pizza party. My brother grilled in the back yard. Mine was in my mom's kitchen, she did all the cooking. My friend had trays from the local deli. It doesn't have to be expensive. How about baking a ham and making some potato salad and stuff like that. You could do a Thanksgiving dinner in July thing. I like the pasta idea, have an Italian feast. What nationality are you? Go with something like that. The options are unlimited.

Answer 3

Hello here are a few suggestions that could prove to be cost effective with a little flare.

1. Place a positive spin on your dilemma by informing everyone that you had a great idea to host a nontraditional rehearsal social gathering. No one has to know of your financial situation.

2. Ask the venue that you intend to rehearse at if the gathering is able to be held there free of charge. They may agree if you can manage your time well with the actual rehearsal of the ceremony.

3.A lot of the food preparation can be done yourself. If you are feeling overwhelmed ask a family member or friend to assist you with the food preparations. Purchase the fruit and vegetables fresh and prepare yourself to save money. Purchase bread, lunch meat, and cheese and cut each sandwich 4-ways to make finger sandwichs to accompany your fruit and vegetable tray.

4.Visit your local dollar store or go treasure hunting in your cabinets to find trays, serving utensils, cups, etc..

5.Save money by making a punch to serve rather than purchasing individual bottles of beverages.

6.If you have your rehearsal in the afternoon, slightly after lunch, or right before lunch, you can have a brunch affair.

Please feel free to contact me for additional ideas at www.uniquesocials.com

Best regards,

Unique Socials

Answer 4

Have a BBQ! It's a fun way to eat and it gives everyone a chance to have fun and get to know each other (if they don't already). You can have it at your house, at your parents' house, a park or just about anywhere. And generally hamburgers and hot dogs are pretty cheap.

If you've got a lot of people coming, say you'll bring the meat and ask everyone else to bring a dish as well. That way, they'll still get a full meal, but you wont have a huge rehearsal dinner bill.

Answer 5

We're going to have a cook-out in my brother's backyard. Last year my niece did a pizza party.

I would think you'd want something a little more substantial than vegetable and fruit trays for a dinner--perhaps add a big sub sandwich (you can make them really inexpensively) and some side salads (cole slaw, potato salad, pasta salad...all inexpensive to make). Pasta made at home is also inexpensive and easy. I like the pot luck idea that others suggested, too. You can certainly do something casual that's nice. Best wishes.

Answer 6

If you can use the hall at the church you are getting married at, ask the spouses/significant others who are not in the wedding party to get things ready for you. Go to someplace like GFS and purchase large bags of salad (around here I can get 3 lbs of chopped Romaine for $4.00), add some chopped chicken breast shredded cheese and you have a great chicken caesar salad, just add dressing and some bread. I am going to go out on a limb and say you can get all of that cheaper than your fruit and veggie trays. For beverages make iced tea, I've found that most people will drink it and all you need is sweetener and lemon juice.

It's great summer fare - light enough if it's hot - and cheap without looking like it.

Good Luck!!

Answer 7

Totally acceptable. Not sure what time of year your wedding is doing little sandwiches and fruit and veggie trays would be nice. If anyone judges, they are people who can't be pleased anyway. We are going inexpensive for our rehearsal dinner too... Congratulations on your wedding!

Answer 8

Well, for my rehearsal dinner we served baked ham and twice baked potato casserole with salad and good bread. My folks bought the ingredients and my girlfriends (ie, brides maids...that is what they are for... to help and server you! Mine were great and loved me enough to pitch in) not only prepared the food but they and their husbands handled all the service set up for the buffet and the clean up. We had it in the church fellowship hall. You can do your at a home if you do not have too many. We has quite a few out of town guests and it was just easier to walk over after the rehearsal.

Good luck.

Answer 9

Not everyone has a rehearsal dinner anymore. Oftentimes, it's just a party, held at someone's home after the church rehearsal. That way you can just serve a variety of finger foods, veggie and fruit trays, and dainties, along with drinks.

Answer 10

Make Over 200 Juicy, Mouth-Watering Paleo Recipes You've NEVER Seen or Tasted Before?