A rehearsal dinner is a beautiful opportunity to celebrate the couple and their families before the big day. It’s a time to relax and enjoy each other’s company before the wedding day craziness begins. That said, it’s important to be prepared and organized to ensure the night runs smoothly and stress-free. If you’re planning a rehearsal dinner, follow these tips from Rustic Taps & Catering in Gorham, Maine, to help you plan the perfect evening!
What Is The History Of Rehearsal Dinners?
The concept of hosting a rehearsal dinner before the wedding ceremony is a centuries-old tradition. It originated in the British aristocratic classes. Its purpose was to allow the bride’s family to introduce their daughter to her soon-to-be husband’s family before the big day. Today, the primary purpose for many couples is for them to thank the wedding party for their help during the planning process. The meal often reflects local cuisine or the preferred cuisine of the couple, making it a special night for all involved. These dinners can range from formal five-course meals to informal backyard barbeques, but regardless of its style, every rehearsal dinner offers up endless opportunities for family and friends to bond with each other and celebrate two families becoming one.
How To Plan A Rehearsal Dinner: First, Decide On A Venue
The first step in planning a rehearsal dinner is deciding on a venue. You’ll want to choose a place special to you as a couple and your families. It could be a restaurant where they had their first date, a favorite family spot, or even the place where they got engaged! Wherever you choose, make sure it has enough space for your guest list and can accommodate any special requests you may have.
Create Your Guest List
Once you’ve decided on a venue, it’s time to create your guest list. You’ll want to include immediate family members, bridal party members, and any out-of-town guests who will be attending the wedding.
Consider The Timing
When it comes to timing, you’ll want to coordinate with the wedding schedule. The rehearsal dinner usually takes place the night before the wedding, but it can also be held on the afternoon of the wedding day if that works better for your schedule. Just be sure to give yourself enough time to eat and socialize before things get too hectic!
Hire A Catering Company
If you’re not planning on cooking for your rehearsal dinner yourself, then you’ll need to hire a catering company. Choose a company with experience with weddings and can provide everything from food to drinks. Most importantly, ensure they can accommodate any dietary restrictions your guests may have!
Plan Out Your Menu
Once you’ve hired your catering company, it’s time to start planning your menu. If you’re not sure what kind of food to serve, ask your caterer for recommendations based on your budget and guest list. They should be able to give you some great ideas to please everyone!
Hire Rustic Taps & Catering For Your Rehearsal Dinner
Are you looking for excellent catering and bar services for your Maine wedding rehearsal dinner? That’s where we come in! Rustic Taps and Catering offers mobile bartending services, wedding and event catering, wood-fired pizza, and more from our fleet of vintage refurbished trucks. Our trucks have been outfitted to bring out your choices of craft or domestic beer on tap. Alongside our selection of craft beers, we provide a selection of wines, craft cocktails, and a full mobile bar service! Our authentic Mugnaini Italian brick-fired pizza ovens serve delicious wood-fired pizza! Our trucks and experienced staff are equipped to serve groups large or small both quickly and efficiently. Our pizzas are made with locally-sourced, fresh ingredients and are served on our live edge wooden boards and bar slab. We also make custom pizzas to meet your needs.
Aside from delicious pizza, we offer a variety of other items on our freshly prepared menu, like charcuterie boards, crudites cups, healthy salads, soups, and even a dessert bar! We’re here to bring your rehearsal dinner to life! Contact us today to create your custom menu.
Plan For Speeches
One of the best parts of the rehearsal dinner is hearing speeches from friends and family members! If you’re planning on having speeches at your dinner, be sure to give your speakers plenty of notice so they can prepare something special. And if you’re giving a speech yourself, don’t forget to practice beforehand!
Make It Personal
One of the best ways to make your rehearsal dinner memorable is by personalizing it with details that are special to the couple. You could use their wedding colors in your decorations, play songs that are meaningful to them, or even show photos from their childhoods or dating years! Whatever you do, just make sure it feels like an intimate gathering of their closest loved ones.
Make It Comfortable
Last but not least, remember to make your rehearsal dinner comfortable for everyone involved! This means choosing a menu that everyone will enjoy, making sure there’s enough seating for everyone, and providing activities (like games or dancing) that will keep everyone entertained throughout the night. By following these tips from Rustic Taps on how to plan a rehearsal dinner, you’re sure to throw an unforgettable rehearsal dinner that everyone will be talking about for years to come!
Interested in our Maine wedding and event catering? Head to our website to fill out a contact form.
For more tips, be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook.