Rehearsal Dinners Keep it Relaxed & Casual

A Wonderful American Tradition

By Chris Francis

This wonderful American tradition started more than 50 years ago being first attested in 1953.

It was originally a time for the wedding party and their spouses or significant others to share a meal following the rehearsal for the following day’s ceremony.

Traditionally hosted by the parents of the groom the night prior to the wedding the dinner has more recently evolved to include out of town guests who are also welcomed to this pre-wedding party. Nowadays it is not unusual to include all guests attending the wedding particularly at a destination location.

Subsequently the function of this pre wedding party has changed somewhat and now serves as an effective tool to ‘Break the ice’ providing a great opportunity  for the two families and the wedding couples various friends to meet and interact in a friendly and relaxing environment.

Introductions are made with ease and informality.

Destination weddings offer so many exciting opportunities to plan a unique, memorable and a very special weekend celebration that is officially launched with the ‘rehearsal’.

This event should not conflict with the arrangements of wedding day itself so avoid hosting the two events in the same setting or property.

Make sure the menu suits your style but does not share any similarities with the wedding meal. In your planning remember to make sure the chef is aware of any special dietary needs or allergies your guests may have.

Keep it casual and be imaginative avoid the ‘cookie cutter’ type of arrangement. Any Inn or restaurant that wants your business and claims to host such evenings should be enthusiastic and provide ideas and guidance to make this important dinner special in its own way. Do not settle for the mundane, look for innovative ideas with a sense of the occasion with fun and flair.

Avoid the ordinary. We have all been to rehearsal dinners that are hosted in the somewhat routine situation involving a couple of tables in a standard restaurant setting. You can dine this way anytime.
Country Inns are often very well equipped to provide a venue that is truly special and some of them actually specialize in such events.

A great example of this is Ye Olde England Inne in Stowe. Here couples have four very popular location options to select from each with a distinctive atmosphere and clearly defined personality of its own.
The Copperfields Room is reminiscent of a lovely old coaching Inne with low ceilings, hand-hewn beams and Tartan rug.

Bluff House Hall a truly magnificent room with a ceiling that soars to thirty feet and features an enormous inglenook fireplace at one end and a glass walled alcove at the other. 

The poolside setting is another pretty option, candlelit and surrounded by beautiful gardens its very serene.
More than 100 guests can gather in the magnificent boathouse a post and beam structure with racing sculls set in the rafters above. Rather like a huge tent the sides can be drawn back completely for the views that surround.

So let your imagination loose as you consider your options. It takes little to avoid the ordinary and the benefits of a  little creative thought are huge as you launch your weekend of celebrations.

Casual themes for the meal are definitely the way to go be it a clambake, pig roast, barbeque, buffet, plated dinner or grazing stations. Once again you are limited only by your imagination.

Beverages should be selected to compliment the theme you select. You may consider to welcome guests with an ‘Icebreaker Punch’ both alcoholic and virgin. This adds a thoughtful welcoming element with a touch of class.
In the winter make it mulled.

Its during this rehearsal dinner that a few speeches may be made to both welcome guests and introduce the wedding principles, family Matriarchs, Patriarchs and wedding party members.

Small gifts are often distributed to the bridal party members at this time by the bride and groom in anticipation of the services these close friends and family members will be performing the following day.

If entertainment is planned. Choose wisely as this gathering is really focused upon meeting each other and as such the environment should not embarrass conversation with intrusively loud music.

Ensure you book your venue well in advance properties are in high demand for such weekend events.

Christopher Francis has been Innkeeping at Ye Olde England Inne in Stowe since 1983.

Most recently he was honored as the Stowe Business Person of The Year 2009

Ye Olde England Inne is a full service Country Inne that hosts rehearsal dinners and weddings year round for groups up to 120 guests.

802-253-7558  www.englandinn.com

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