Though often overlooked, the rehearsal dinner is an important part of the wedding-planning process. Not only is it an opportunity to enjoy some much-needed fun, but it’s also a way for the bride and groom to give thanks to the people who’ve put energy, time, and money into their wedding. To check out some advice on making your rehearsal dinner just right for you, read more.

• Traditionally, the rehearsal dinner takes place just after the rehearsal ceremony the night before your wedding day and is planned and paid for by the groom’s parents. However, many couples end up throwing the dinner themselves or splitting the cost with both sides of parents.
• Typically the bride and groom invite their immediate family as well as the wedding party, but it’s not strange to also invite out-of-town guests or other close friends that you want to enjoy time with the night before the big day.
• As with the other wedding events, invitations are customary, though if you’re keeping it very intimate, a phone call or email is equally appropriate.
• In celebration of their help, this is the time to pass out presents to the wedding party and any other people that may have played a large role in the planning process.
• The rehearsal dinner is often an opportunity for the bride and groom to offer thanks to their family for their support — this is usually done through a short toast by the couple — so take a little time beforehand to decide what you’ll say. Keep in mind that parents and friends will also use this occasion to offer some of their own words as well. Think of this as the time to get goofy, personal, or sappy with your wedding speeches, so save the formality for the reception!
• The most important part of the rehearsal dinner is to enjoy time with family before the wedding, so don’t be afraid to go casual if that’s what you need! More and more couples are opting out of fancy restaurants in favor of more down-home affairs, like BBQs in the backyard or family-style dinners at a favorite old-fashioned diner.

Don’t forget that you’ll be getting up early the next morning, so save your energy and make it an early night — you can do the big celebrating at the reception so easy on the champagne!

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