A Bride’s Guide to Rehearsal Dinners
Photo: Lisa Hubbard
While your future in-laws traditionally plan and host the rehearsal dinner, you’re the best candidate to organize the actual rehearsal, since you’ll be the most familiar with all the details of the ceremony. Make certain that all who need to be there have been instructed about time, location, and logistics, including the order in which people walk down the aisle and where everyone stands at the altar.
During the rehearsal dinner, you and your groom will want to welcome out-of-town guests and say a few words of thanks to your parents. You’ll also want to give each bridesmaid a gift to express your appreciation (if you prefer, these gifts can be distributed at the bridesmaids’ luncheon). Even if the gifts are all the same, add a personal touch to each: Give each attendant an evening bag in her favorite color, or engrave her initials on a silver bracelet.
Once the rehearsal dinner is over, and you and your groom have a moment alone, you may wish to present him with a wedding gift. It is customary for the bride to give her groom a wristwatch or other piece of engraved jewelry that echoes the permanence of the wedding band she is about to receive.
Visit MarthaStewartWeddings.com for: Gifts for Bridesmaids
