Post # 1
Member
61 posts
Worker bee
Happy Holidays, BEES!
Now that I’m all ready for the holidays, it’s time to get back to wedding planning !
A question had recently surfaced between my fiance and I. We’re paying for the whole wedding on our own, so we are taking every cost-cutting measure very seriously! We were thinking a bit ahead about our rehearsel dinner. Some members of our wedding party are either already married or is in a serious relationship. Are we obligated to invite their significant other to the rehearsal dinner? I should also mention, the majority of these couples will be flying in from out of town. One of the groomsmen for example, is from Texas. He has been with Girlfriend for about 3 years now, and will be arriving together a few days before the wedding. Should we invite her to the dinner as well, even though she is not part of the wedding party? I feel bad leaving her at the hotel room while we are at dinner the night before the wedding.
We’re not sure what the protocol is at this point — so any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!
Post # 3
Member
1256 posts
Bumble bee
especially since most couples are from out of town I’d say you pretty much have to invite them. Since their SO is busy with wedding events for the wedding That they both made the trip to come to, if one isn’t invited what are they supposed to do with that time? Sit in the hotel room? I’m inviting all SOs (assuming they are in long term relationships) and ALL out of town guests that will be in town the night before (Not saying you HAVE to invite all them as we’ll though). I’d opt for inviting SOs and find a relatively inexpensive place for rehersal dinner.
Post # 4
Hostess
8572 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
This is tricky. I understand that you are on a budget, but I think it would be wise to invite the spouses as well. I understand that catering for the rehearsal dinner can be costly [Ours is the same price as the wedding catering, $31/plate]. Is there any way you can have your rehearsal dinner at a family type restaurant? It wouldn’t be as fancy, but it would be alot cheaper. [You could even reserve a portion of an all you can eat plate or something, bringing the price down to around $15/per person, and most likely the would offer a discount.] Just a suggestion.
I’m not exactly sure what proper etiquette would be.. but I will be inviting my guests spouses to. However – we are limited our rehearsal to the bridal party/caterers [they are the hosts of the bed & breakfast we are having our wedding at], both sets of our parents, the rev & dj [close personal friend].
Post # 5
Member
3336 posts
Sugar bee
Social units must always be invited as a pair. Social units are anyone who is married, engaged, or living together. The rest you do not HAVE to invite, but I do think it would be in poor taste not to.
It wouldn’t be polite to invite the attendent, and then just expect the significant other to fend for themselves in a strange town, and have to pay for food.
If you are seriously pinching your pennies, then order pizza or something where the extra guests won’t be as large of an impact. It doesn’t have to be fancy.