8 Rehearsal dinner trends to know for 2024

2. Feel free to add more personal touches

We’re no stranger to baby pictures and engagement shots sprinkling the tables of every wedding-adjacent event, but couples are going above and beyond to make their rehearsal dinner a one-of-a-kind experience.

As Betsy Scott of Hudson Valley Weddings at The Hill shares, “Couples will be using their rehearsal dinners as a way to showcase their personalities, whether through themes and decor that reflect their interests or menus that emphasize their heritage and cultures.”

“They’ll also want to personalize their space with photo displays, from childhood pictures to the engagement photo session,” Scott adds. “And more couples will be getting a jump on best wishes by including a guest book.”

Whether it’s through décor, cuisine, music, or venue choice, think about how you and your partner can curate small-but-meaningful details that are undeniably you. Of course, it would be a mistake to not define a clear budget in advance. You want to ensure that you don’t overspend on the dinner event.

3. You can use an informal approach

In the past rehearsal dinners may have been only for the wedding party (who were a part of the wedding rehearsal). It’s much more common to have it be a social event for all guests who can make it. Gone are the days of an elaborate (albeit stuffy) dinner with a small intimate group. This type of pre-wedding celebration is getting replaced with a more upbeat, celebratory party to kick off the weekend.

“Couples are moving away from the traditional rehearsal dinner that is a formal seated event where only the immediate family and wedding party is invited,” Smith notes. “Instead, they want a night before the wedding where every guest is invited to a more relaxed setting where friends and family can catch up and connect before the big day.”

However, it isn’t a rehearsal dinner mistake to have a smaller intimate dinner. Some couples find themselves with a smaller budget. Or the bride and groom may want to reconnect with some close family or friends. In those cases, and many others, a smaller dinner is more than fine. The main criteria here is whatever works best for your wedding plans.

Whether you’re in favor of a sit-down dinner or you’d prefer a mixer-style party, there’s no better way to welcome your guests than by thanking them for attending!

4. A fun alternative event

Would it be a mistake to skip a rehearsal dinner entirely? Actually, no.

Jen Avey of Destination Weddings Travel Group confirms that the some couples are opting for destination celebrations instead of a dinner. “We’re seeing more destination wedding couples forego a traditional rehearsal dinner and instead, decide to invite their entire guest list to a special dinner before the big day,” she says. “This can act as a welcome party, but doesn’t necessarily need to be on the first night of your multi-day celebration.”

Some couples are having social events and group activities. These can be things like axe throwing, pool parties, barbecues, live music, cooking class, game night, laser tag, or go-karts. As long as you and your guests will have a good time, you can’t go wrong. One thing to keep in mind – don’t let the event be too much of a party.

5. A focus on entertainment

When you’re planning a rehearsal dinner, you likely think about the key elements like the venue’s setting, the food selections, and what specialty drinks make it onto the bar menu. But offering your guests more to do than simply eat and drink is one of the best ways to create a winning guest experience — even before the wedding itself!

If you do hire a DJ, make sure that it fits with the vibe of the event. You want to ensure that if old friends are catching up, the volume won’t drown out their conversation. Also, coordinate the soundtrack so if Grandma might be offended by Sir Mix-a-lot that the DJ keeps the soundtrack clean.

Also, consider other options. Some restaurants have regular dancing or singing performances. Scheduling a rehearsal dinner where entertainment will already be provided can save on costs.

Think outside the box with entertainment options. You could hire a sketch artist, painters, or hire a photobooth. Making art while waiting for dinner is a fun entertainment option.

“More couples will be including music at their rehearsal dinners, using live talent during the meet and greet portion of the dinner,” reveals Peter Mitsaelides of Brooklake Country Club and Events. “They’ll also be providing icebreaker entertainment, from wine or bourbon tastings to sketch artists, giving guests who may not know one another something to talk about. And a key wedding party member will take a more active role in the dinner, acting as MC to introduce those who are giving toasts.”

Avey notes that this trend is the perfect fit for destination celebrations, adding, “We’re seeing destination wedding couples book special entertainment to really wow their guests – think luau dancers in Hawaii, a steel drum band in Jamaica, or a tequila tasting in Mexico. This really sets the scene for guests to enjoy the local traditions of the destination they’ve traveled to.”

6. Candid moments

If you have professional wedding photographers at the dinner, then they’ll probably want to capture small special moments where guests aren’t aware of them. However, a current trend is to pass on formal photographers at the dinner.

Instead, pass around disposable cameras. Making sure everyone has a turn to snap a few pictures will ensure plenty of memories and stories after the wedding. This can also have the benefit of keeping guests off their phones during dinner. They’ll be more focused on taking and posing for photos. Also, if you’re concerned about what ends up on social media, you may opt for this method since it’ll give you editorial access to pictures before they hit Instagram.

7. Environmental impact

A recent trend has been to consider the environmental impact of an event. If you are planning your wedding early enough, you may choose to seek out dinner options that offer better sustainability. More and more couples find themselves making mindful decisions around their wedding planning versus decades past.

One option is to find a restaurant or caterer who serves locally-sourced foods. By keeping ingredients local, your event can have less impact on the surrounding environment. It can also help to support the local economy.

Another option you can consider is to find a local foodbank near the rehearsal dinner. It isn’t sanitary for them to take leftover food from the event. However, you could coordinate an effort for them to receive fresh vegetables, non-perishable ingredients, and frozen or refrigerated goods. Check out the three most requested types of goods and then coordinate with local food banks and your dinner venue.

8. Dietary options

No one enjoys getting to dinner and the finding out what they want isn’t available for them. Offering a range of food options is a crucial trend to follow when planning a rehearsal dinner. Overlooking it would be a mistake.

If you’re having your guests RSVP for the wedding, be sure to include options for their dietary restrictions. Include common allergies like peanuts, gluten, and shellfish. However, you also want to include sensitivities people frequently have such as mangos or berries.

Another option is to research common allergens and then work with the kitchen to offer substitutions that allow all of your guests to enjoy the food that they want. This will put the largest burden on the staff of the restaurant. If you’re considering going this route, then it would be a big mistake to save planning the rehearsal dinner for too late. Plan the event early to make sure you are not blindsided by new information.

Meghan Ely is a contributing author to this post. She is the owner of wedding PR and wedding marketing firm OFD Consulting. Ely is a sought-after speaker, adjunct professor in the field of public relations, and a self-professed royal wedding enthusiast.