7 Wedding Rehearsal Dinner Invitations + Etiquette Tips

The rehearsal dinner is an under-the-radar wedding event. It tends to sneak up on you in planning, and the etiquette and norms are less cut-and-dried than the wedding, bachelorette party, and bridal shower. 

But we’re firm believers that you can plan a rehearsal dinner to be way more fun than anyone expects. There’s virtually no pressure. You get to gather with your closest people without the stress of the big day, and you get to really see your wedding come to life for the first time.

One of the planning steps is sending out wedding rehearsal dinner invitations! This is the best time to lean into digital invitations (well, any time is the perfect time for a digital invite, in our opinion!). Guests will get the details immediately, and you don’t need to go through the chore of printing and stamping and sealing envelopes … only for guests to lose the invite and text you on the day of asking for details. It’s all in their inbox, and reminders can be sent to them automatically leading up to the rehearsal.

So let’s dive into your rehearsal dinner plan. We’ll share plenty of invitations you can use right now along with advice on wording, etiquette, and who to invite.

7 Wedding Rehearsal Dinner Invitation Designs

These rehearsal dinner invitation templates cover all types of aesthetics and tastes so you can find the perfect one for you. Plus, you’ll get wording inspiration if you’re facing wedding writer’s block.

1. Eclectic Electric Invitation

Design: Robinson Creative House

If you and your partner are vibrant and funky, show it off with the Eclectic Electric Invitation. The colorful orange and pink design along with the scalloped border and unique fonts come together to make a standout invite for your standout event.

2. Vintage Floral Frame Invitation

Design: Signature Greenvelope

Inspired by Old World book covers, the Vintage Floral Frame Invitation is timeless and classy. The gold foil and crawling botanicals on this wedding stationery frame your rehearsal details beautifully.

3. Little Tomato Invitation

Design: Kid Collective

This casual and colorful wedding rehearsal dinner invitation is dotted with doodles of tomatoes, wine glasses, cheese, and bread. The swirly font looks hand-drawn and can give a refreshing contrast to a more formal wedding invitation suite. If your big day is buttoned up, let the night before be loose and lighthearted.

4. Gorgeous Blooms Invitation

Design: See That There

The boho and romantic Gorgeous Blooms Invitation features a watercolor peony background that you can customize in blue, pink, purple, or blush. The center of the invite looks three-dimensional with a realistic shadow effect.

5. Blind Deboss Border Invitation

Design: Jen Montgomery

We love the blind-debossed geometric border on this chic and minimalistic monogram invitation. The watercolor floral liner contrasts with the simplicity of the invitation design. Customize it with your favorite color, a photo, and your initials and you’re ready to hit “send.”

6. Cheery Buttercups Invitation

Design: Nicole Winn

This vintage botanical party invitation is bursting to life with buttercups and greenery. Choose from a variety of neutral backgrounds that let the colorful red and yellow flowers (and pretty crimson envelope) steal the show.

7. Colorful Chic Invitation

Design: Jen Montgomery

The Colorful Chic Invitation is perfect for any couple who wants the emphasis to be on all the fun to be had at the event. The playful embossed background reads, “Eat, Drink, Chill, Party,” and it comes in a swath of vibrant hues. Consider your wedding rehearsal dinner invitation search done!

Who to Invite to Your Rehearsal Dinner

Stressed about the invite list? Remember that the purpose of a rehearsal is to do a quick run-through of your event. The dinner is for those who need to be at the run-through. This mindset can help the event from ballooning to half the wedding guests!

Here are the people who are typically invited to a rehearsal dinner:

• Everyone in the wedding party along with their partners
• Immediate family on both sides: parents, siblings, grandparents
• Flower girl, ring bearer, and their families
• Officiant
• Friends you’ve enlisted to help during the wedding ceremony, like someone doing a reading or performing music

Of course, if you want less of a rehearsal dinner and more of a welcome party for the whole guest list, especially anyone coming in from out of town, it’s your wedding — do it!

Rehearsal Dinner Etiquette FAQs

We know the rehearsal dinner details can feel overwhelming! We’ve got your back with these answers to frequently asked questions.

Who Pays for the Rehearsal Dinner?

It’s a tradition in the U.S. for the groom’s parents to plan and pay for the rehearsal dinner, while the bride’s family pays for the wedding. But that doesn’t mean it’s required! After all, there may be no groom or two grooms if you’re a queer couple. Plus, both sets of parents or neither set of parents may be paying for the wedding.

If one family offers to plan and pay for the rehearsal dinner, you can feel free to let them do it. You might prefer to split all costs down the middle between the couple’s respective families, or you may want to pay for everything yourselves as a couple. Sometimes, the wedding party or your friends might offer to split costs.

So while there’s a tradition for a groom’s family to pay, you don’t need to follow it! Check in with your families on their expectations for wedding expenses like these, and go from there.

When Should We Send a Wedding Rehearsal Dinner Invitation?

Send the invite out 3-4 weeks in advance, after the wedding invites have been sent (not just the save the date cards)! This gives guests time to make their travel plans and gives you time to collect RSVPs. You can also include the details on your wedding website once you send the invites.

Do I Have to Invite My Officiant?

No, not necessarily! Some couples are close with their officiant, and some aren’t. If the officiant has done weddings before, they won’t be surprised or weirded out by an invitation. After all, they’ll be running the bulk of the show at the rehearsal itself, and it’s thoughtful to bring them along to eat after. If you invite them, we recommend giving them the option to bring a plus one.

What Is the Dress Code Etiquette for a Rehearsal Dinner?

Surprise, surprise, another question where the answer is up to you! It’s not typical to give out a dress code for this pre-wedding celebration, but you can specify one if you have a strong vision for rehearsal dinner decor, outfits, and vibe. 

Many people tend to wear more casual dresses, jumpsuits, slacks, and button-ups to rehearsal dinners, but this will vary based on your region and community. If you’re wanting to encourage jeans and no fuss, that would be something to inform guests about on the invitation so no one shows up overdressed.

It’s Almost Wedding Time

Probably the most fun part of the rehearsal is standing up next to the love of your life, gazing into their eyes and practicing what you’ll do for the big day! Enjoy every second of it before you go eat a delicious meal with your friends and family. 

Get more help with wedding planning, etiquette, and invitations on our Stationers blog.