Ask B: Who to Invite to the Rehearsal Dinner at a Destination Wedding

Mindy Weiss

Dear B, 

I'm planning my son's rehearsal dinner (it's a destination wedding), and am unsure about who to invite. Do I invite everyone? Just the bridal party? I need your expert advice! 

Sincerely, 

Mother of the Groom

MOG,  

Congratulations on your son's nearing nuptials - how wonderful! When it comes to the rehearsal dinner,  modern protocol requires you invite all of the bridal party and their significant others, immediate family, clergyperson and his or her spouse, as well as all out of town guests. A loophole: if the budget doesn't allow for this, all out of town guests need not be included. Given that your son's wedding is destination (a fabulous locale I'm sure!), etiquette calls for all wedding guests to be invited. In the event the blushing bride and dashing groom were envisioning a cozier wedding-eve celebration, another option to consider dear MOG, is to hold an intimate rehearsal dinner Thursday evening with just the bridal party and their significant others, immediate family, and clergyperson and their spouse, and then on Friday night host a "Welcome Party." A celebratory soiree aimed at welcoming loving family and friends who have traveled far and wide, the Welcome Party provides an opportunity to greet wedding guests après-flight with cocktails, appetizers, music, florals, etc., in a jovial and casual atmosphere. Hope this helps and happy planning!