Wedding Rehearsal Dinner Ideas

[Henrys Mom]

I am looking for ideas for a wedding rehearsal dinner. I know we can go to a local restaurant, but what kind of restaurant? I am looking for inexpensive ideas that are fun and casual. Anyone have any ideas? We are coming from New York to Georgia so I can't use my home. I really appreciate the help!

 

[DAWNMERIE]

We are just doing a baby shower for Vin's oldest. One of the girls she wanted us to invite has a townhome and the townhome has like a community room (kitchen tables and chairs-pretty decent size room) that they rent out to their own so we rented it for the day $150.00 ($75 refundable deposit) We are doing all the cooking but you could have it catered. Just an idea, if you know anyone with a townhome or a community home.

 

[Thehallk]

I used to work at a greek restaraunt and we often had baby/wedding showers and smaller receptions or rehearsal dinners. We had special (cheap) plates that, if asked beforehand, they could smash and yell "OPA!"...most of the weddings weren't greek, but it was a fun thing for people to do...plus you get to smash plates without guilt! We also had belly dancers on fridays and saturdays so sometimes that was fun too. I don't think there was any sort of reservation fee where we were, but there was a set menu with appetizers that everyone shared from big plates, then a choice of maybe three main course meals. I'm drooling thinking about it.

 

[KodysGrandma]

Where in GA? That may make a difference

 

[NinaA]

My son wanted to have White Castles and KFC, but in Georgia you should also be able to do some reasonably priced BBQ. . .maybe a tailgating dinner. As said, it depends on where in Georgia you'll be.

 

[ElvisTheNewf]

Oooooh a tailgating dinner would be so fun!!!

We got married 3 years ago and had it in the conference room of a local community building. It was small, casual, and exactly what we wanted. As far as the menu, we each picked an entree and had it served buffet style. It's for the bride and groom, so go with their favorite food.

My sister got married this past summer and had hers at a mid-level restaurant. They're known for vegetarian food, which she is, so it was a perfect choice.

If you want to keep costs down, think alcohol options. We just had bottles of wine on the tables that we bought for cheap at Sams and they let us bring in. My sister had an open bar at hers, and I can't imagine what the tab was at the end of the night.

Can you go down to Georgia once or twice before to check out some places or will you be doing it all online?

 

[NinaA]

Another idea that I love to keep the cost down. Instead of a wedding cake, as a number of the best cooks who are invited to bake their favorite cake. Friends did this at a wedding at a historic home. Everybody sampled all the cakes and had a great time with it, and they were all beautiful.

 

[Bojie]

SO! We just got married just about two months ago. For our rehearsal, I didn't want to do it "cookie cutter". Our wedding took place about an hour from our home, and everyone was coming in from out of town. My mom rented a cabin, and we had a sort of "pot luck" dinner. HUGE trays of lasagna, sausage and peppers, salad, etc. It reminded me of my old pasta dinners before my soccer games when I was in high school. I wanted to do it that way because I wanted to be sure I was able to mingle and spend time with all our guests, instead of just who we were sitting next to. It was the best rehearsal dinner I've ever attended- even though that's biased- but others said the same. We would've grilled but it was freezing! It was the best way to be relaxed, and enjoy all our guests. Before the dinner, we made a mass trip to cosco and stocked up on everything we needed. Turned out to be much cheaper than a traditional rehearsal

 

[Henrys Mom]

Those sound like great ideas and exactly what I would love to have. My problem is I don't know where to have it! It is Atlanta Georgia and I am not sure of any community centers or anything like that. The hotel we are staying at won't allow us to bring in outside food and the bride's house is not an option. I would love to be able to find a place where we can bring in food and drinks and just have a causal fun time! I am going to look around for a place like that! Thanks so much!!!

 

[Bojie]

Those sound like great ideas and exactly what I would love to have. My problem is I don't know where to have it! It is Atlanta Georgia and I am not sure of any community centers or anything like that. The hotel we are staying at won't allow us to bring in outside food and the bride's house is not an option. I would love to be able to find a place where we can bring in food and drinks and just have a causal fun time! I am going to look around for a place like that! Thanks so much!!!

ok- what about a rental hall like a VFW or Knights of columbus? Or a womens club building? They have tables and chairs there that you can set up and use, and you bring all your own stuff in. Very casual and low key.

 

[Popcorn]

I second the VFW suggestion or call the local Rotary for a suggestion. We did our rehearsal dinner at an upstairs art gallery in a small victorian. We had it catered by friends, so home cooked style, lots of wine ... and I asked a few friends to "work" the party ... i.e. keep an eye on what was needed ... so I would have time to mingle...
I think the gallery was free, though we did donate a bunch of money for their inconvenience, clean up and generosity.

ALso .... call the local public library in the town ... hot beds of information on how to do things cheaply and home-like! I don't think they generally let space for a party, but they will know of the other places that will.

 

[2newfs4now]

A friend of ours was actually married in an art gallery Check out some small galleries in the area. Our friends used the gallery storage room, had a buffet catered and a limited bar.

 

[newfical]

Call the Chamber of Commerce. They should know of places that would accommodate you.

 

[NinaA]

Also, check parks and historic sites. They many times have facilities that may not be considered. And, for a rehearsal, consider places like sports arenas and gaming places. What about someone's home, or in their barn?