One of the best aspects of a wedding for the bridal couple is the opportunity to gather with family and friends. So why leave that all for one day? Rehearsal dinners, usually scheduled the night before the wedding, are a tradition that allows everyone to get together in an environment that’s a little more intimate and maybe more laid back than the ceremony and reception planned for the wedding day.
Here at Legacy Stables and Events, we love the tradition of rehearsal dinners. For bridal couples whose families don’t live near each other, it’s one of the few times both families get to be together, not to mention all the college roommates and high school friends of both the bride and groom that get this chance to all hang out together and share stories.
The importance of a wedding rehearsal
Of course, the rehearsal dinner follows the wedding rehearsal. We recommend getting all of the wedding party together sometime before the wedding for a short rehearsal of the ceremony. This allows everyone a chance to go over what’s expected, go through the processional, practice any readings or solos, and get a feel for how everything will come together. It helps ensure things go smoothly when the ceremony is performed in front of all the guests the next day.
Traditions surrounding the rehearsal dinner
Hosting a dinner after the rehearsal is a wedding tradition that’s been around for decades. It serves as a symbolic kick-off to the wedding festivities, filled with toasts and stories. This can also be the time the bridal couple will give presents to the bridal party. Traditionally, the dinner is hosted by the groom’s parents. But each bridal couple comes to their wedding differently, and rehearsal dinners can be hosted by the bride’s parents, the bridal couple, or someone else who enjoys throwing a party.
Who to invite to the rehearsal dinner?
Figuring out who to invite to the rehearsal dinner is a question asked by many brides. You obviously don’t want or need to invite everyone who is coming to the wedding. The bridal party and their plus-ones are, of course, top on the list. And then who else you choose is up to you, and how big you want the dinner party to be. Parents of the bridal couple, grandparents, and siblings are often included. You might also consider out-of-town guests and extended family.
The benefits of hosting a rehearsal dinner at Legacy Stables and Events
For bridal couples hosting their wedding and reception at Legacy Stables and Events, our venue’s close proximity to Winston-Salem means there is a good choice of nice restaurants to consider for the rehearsal dinner. But there are also some great benefits to having dinner right here at our venue.
- Convenience. Many bridal couples like to do the rehearsal at the location where the ceremony will be held. This allows the bridal party to run through the processional and other aspects of the ceremony where it will take place. Having dinner following the reception at Legacy Stables and Events provides the convenience of doing everything in one location.
- Builds Familiarity with the Venue. Hosting the rehearsal dinner at Legacy Stables and Events allows more time for the bridal party to be on site, walking around the space, and getting accustomed to the layout. It helps ease anxiety and ensure things go smoothly on the day of the wedding.
- Beautiful Private Spaces. Legacy Stables and Events offers a variety of different spaces on the estate for gatherings of all sizes. For the more intimate gathering of a rehearsal dinner, the Legacy House or the Carolina Room are two options that give you a private venue in an elegant setting to entertain guests and feel at home.
- On-site Catering. Our chefs, Chef Gregory and Chef Adam, bring years of experience to creating wonderful menus.
- Full-service Support. When you book your rehearsal dinner with Legacy Stables and Events, we can take care of the linens, décor, sound system, and other elements to make sure your evening is beautiful and fun for everyone.
Note: When you book your wedding at Legacy Stables and Events, 2 hours of rehearsal time is included, and will be scheduled 45 days out from your wedding day.
Booking for rehearsal dinners cannot be done further than six months ahead of an event. So keep in mind that if you’re planning a wedding, you most likely reserve your venue up to a year in advance, if not more. So you will need to call to set up the rehearsal dinner closer to the wedding date.
If you’re interested in Legacy Stables and Events for your wedding celebrations, call today to schedule a tour. We’re always excited to show off our beautiful venue and share our services to make sure you get the wedding of your dreams.
