4 Reasons Why You Should Consider Booking Your Rehearsal Dinner at Your Wedding Site or Reception Venue

Congrats, you’re getting married! There are so many things to take care of and a lot to plan. You need to pick out your invitations, put together a guest list, break it to your fiance that you guys have to make second cousins the invitation cut off point, figure out where you’re going to get married…and don’t forget about the rehearsal dinner. However, here’s a wedding hack you may not have considered. What about having the rehearsal dinner at the same place as your wedding site or your reception venue? If you think that “Wedding Law” states “During the ceremony Thou must play Pachelbel’s Canon in D and Thou shalt only have thy rehearsal dinner at a local restaurant,” you can shake things up a little. You know, it is your wedding after all. In fact, it may be a bit smarter to have your rehearsal dinner at the same place you’re getting married or planning the reception. Let’s take a look at the advantages.

You Can Save Money

Many venues may offer you a combination deal if you book both events at the same place. With all the expenses around planning a wedding, saving money is an excellent way to go. Think of it like this, that’s more money you could put toward your honeymoon.

It’s Convenient for You and Your Guests

No additional maps and extra coordination and no surprises. Both you and your guests will appreciate having all the events in one place so there is less travel time, no one gets lost on the way and you remove a little bit of stress from your big day.

Working with Your Wedding Coordinator Makes it Easier

Your wedding coordinator is there to help make sure all of your wishes are met, you stay within budget and everything goes off without a hitch. You’re already working closely with him or her and this person most likely has a good handle on your thoughts and wishes for the big event. Extending these ideas through to the rehearsal dinner should be a piece of (wedding) cake.

Carry Over Your Theme

If you have a themed wedding–rustic farmhouse, vintage, modern, etc.–it’s easy and economical to use some of the same decorations and aesthetics at your rehearsal dinner, wedding and reception. Having two events (or all) at the same place helps make carrying your theme through easier. Your wedding coordinator can help with this, too!

While it has been a tradition to have your rehearsal dinner at a different venue, the times are changing, and more and more people are booking them at the same place to save money, add convenience and carry over their theme. If you have questions about booking either your wedding or rehearsal dinner or both, give us a call. We’d be happy to talk to you about the advantages and how we can enhance your big day.

You have so much to worry about when it comes to planning your wedding and it can be pretty stressful to make sure you haven’t missed a thing. When it comes to sending RSVP cards, this can make planning your wedding even more stressful.

You’ve planned the seating chart, but you need to know who is coming and so do your caterers. Here are several tips to consider when working through RSVP cards.

Assemble Your Guest List

More than likely, you have quite a few guests that you’d like to attend your big day. After you’ve assembled your list, make sure you send out your invitations at least six to eight weeks before the wedding.

Also, make a note of people’s locations. If you have a guest coming from a distance, they’ll need time to make arrangements. The earlier you get your RSVPs out to them, the easier it will be for them to find accommodations.

Establish an RSVP Reply Date

There are few things to consider before you make your RSVP invitations. First, you’ll need to confirm with your vendors and venue coordinators the date you’re thinking so they can have a final headcount, check availability, and plan accordingly.

Often, your cake decorator and florist will also need a final headcount so they can plan the amount of dessert and floral arrangements required.

Guests should reply no less than two weeks before the reception and if you are planning a destination wedding, make sure to get them the invites at least 2-3 months in advance.

Match Your RSVP Cards to Your Wedding Scheme

Planning a wedding doesn’t have to all be stressful. One of the most fun parts is designing the invitations. There’s probably a good chance you have something in mind that you want to see come to life. Do you want your scheme to be elegant, earthy, bold, or fun? Whatever you choose, make sure to incorporate that look into your invitations.

If you’re planning a summer wedding, a great scheme helps people remember wedding dates as many people are attending other weddings during this season.

If you need a little inspiration, look to wedding stationery kits that will inspire your invitations and envelopes. You can find these kits online or at a local craft or stationery store.

What Exactly Do You Include on the RSVP Card

Chances are you’ve seen many RSVP cards, but when it comes down to you putting one together, you probably are drawing a blank as to all that goes into one.

Make sure RSVP stands out in big, bold letters. Put a design around it. Make it pop.
Include the date and time of the ceremony.
Provide an option to attend or decline in some fashion.
Include a choice of entrees to choose from.
Include details about dress code, parking, and directions.
You may even want to include your phone number or email address.

Pre-Stamp the Envelopes

Class it up for your guests. Pre-stamp the envelopes to make it a lot easier to get their RSVP in the mail early. It also takes the hassle out of tracking a stamp down. To make it even easier, write your address on the envelope. The key is making it easy easy easy.

What to do When a Guest Fails to RSVP

These are busy times we’re living in and sometimes we can be so rushed that people don’t fill out an RSVP correctly, or even worse, totally forget to send it out at all.

Before you think the worst, give your invitees a grace period after the RSVP date. Typically around seven days after the requested RSVP date.

If you don’t hear anything after that grace period, feel free to give them a call or send them an email. Tell them you need to know so you can inform your vendors or that you need to prepare the final guest list. Don’t let your nerves get the best of you. Be gracious.

As you can tell, there is a great deal of thought that goes into RSVP invitations. With a bit of planning and understanding of timing, sending them out and getting a response should go without any trouble or confusion.

If you’re looking for a venue, please don’t hesitate to call. We’ve helped hundreds of people have the wedding of their dreams and we’d be happy to do the same for you.

Oak Lodge: 225-291-6257

PARC 73: 225-744-3344

Tag: Weddings