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October 29, 2026

Rehearsal dinner invitation wording, and who to invite

Who hosts the rehearsal dinner and who's invited, when to send the invitations, sample wording from formal to casual, and lines for the rehearsal itself.

The rehearsal dinner is the calm before the wedding: a smaller, warmer evening with the people closest to the couple. Its invitation is simpler than the wedding’s, but a few questions come up every time. Here’s who hosts, who to invite, when to send it, and wording you can borrow.

Who hosts

Traditionally the groom’s parents hosted the rehearsal dinner, as a balance to the bride’s family hosting the wedding. Today it’s whoever wants to: either set of parents, both together, the couple themselves, or a grandparent or close family friend. The hosts’ names go on the invitation.

Who’s invited

The dinner follows the rehearsal, so the starting list is everyone who rehearses:

  • the couple and their parents;
  • the wedding party, with their partners or dates;
  • the officiant (and their partner);
  • readers, musicians and anyone with a part in the ceremony;
  • the flower girl and ring bearer, with their parents.

Many couples add grandparents, siblings who aren’t in the wedding party, and out-of-town guests, especially at a destination wedding where everyone has traveled. It’s up to you and the hosts; just decide before the invitations go out, because adding people later is awkward.

When to send it

Rehearsal dinner invitations go out after the wedding invitations, usually three to four weeks before. The guests are mostly people who already know the wedding date. For a destination wedding, send it earlier so people can plan their arrival.

What to include

  • The hosts, and the couple’s names.
  • The rehearsal, if the invitation covers both: the time and place.
  • The dinner: the restaurant or home, its address and the time.
  • The dress code, since it’s usually less formal than the wedding.
  • How and when to RSVP.

Sample wording: formal

Mr. and Mrs. [Name] request the pleasure of your company at a rehearsal dinner in honor of [Name] and [Name], Friday, [date], at seven o’clock, [Restaurant], [City].

Please join [Parents’ names] for dinner honoring [Name] and [Name] on the eve of their wedding, Friday, [date], at [time], [Place].

Sample wording: warm and simple

Before the big day, a dinner with the people we love most. Please join us for [Name] and [Name]’s rehearsal dinner, [date] at [time], [Restaurant].

Join us for dinner after the rehearsal, Friday, [date], at [time], at [Place]. Hosted by [Host names].

The night before the vows: dinner, toasts and a few stories, in honor of [Name] and [Name].

Sample wording: casual

Pizza, pasta and a practice run. Join us after the rehearsal on [date] at [Place].

Rehearse, then eat. Backyard barbecue for the wedding party, Friday, [date], at [time].

We’ll practice walking down the aisle, then go eat tacos. [Date], [time], [Place].

Lines for the rehearsal

If the invitation covers the rehearsal too, give it its own line so nobody goes straight to dinner:

  • “Rehearsal at 5 PM at [Venue]; dinner to follow at 7 at [Restaurant].”
  • “Wedding party and family, please arrive at [Venue] by 4:30 for the rehearsal.”
  • “Out-of-town guests, please join us for dinner at 7 PM.”

Some hosts send the rehearsal times only to the people rehearsing and invite everyone else to the dinner alone. That’s tidy, and it saves the dinner guests from wondering whether they’re expected at the church.

Toasts and timing

The rehearsal dinner is where the longer, more personal toasts happen: the hosts welcome everyone, and parents, grandparents and friends tell the stories that don’t fit at the wedding. If you want toasts, mention it gently: “We’ll raise a glass to the couple; bring a story if you have one.” End early. Everyone has a big day tomorrow.

How letsparty helps

In letsparty the rehearsal dinner is its own party with its own guest list, so it goes only to the people invited. Put it in a weekend with the wedding and the morning-after brunch, and each guest gets one link to the events they’re invited to, answering each one separately. With One look for everything, the rehearsal dinner’s invite matches the wedding’s.

Wording tips

  • Say “on the eve of their wedding” or name the day, so guests connect it to the wedding.
  • Give the dress code; people won’t guess.
  • Keep the guest list consistent: if one partner of a wedding-party member is invited, invite them all.
  • Print or send the rehearsal times only to the people who rehearse.

The free wording ideas tool has more lines for every event around a wedding.