As tradition (and luck for some) would have it, it is the Groom's job to plan and pay for the rehearsal dinner. Ok, I know how it goes, some of you are are not quite comfortable handing this control (albeit a very small amount of control) over to your almost hubby. Truth be told ladies- you have enough to worry about, and you'd be surprised how willing (and quite capable) your groom can be when comes to engaging in the planning activities.
The rehearsal dinner is supposed to be the time where the bride, groom, bridal party, and the parents of the couple can finally stop the planning process, kick back and relax. As the name would suggest, the rehearsal dinner is typically hosted immediately following the rehearsal at the ceremony location, which in most cases is the night before the wedding. Over time people have become more flexible with this timing, and plan the rehearsal dinners two nights before the wedding, or even earlier in the day to ensure that our bride and groom get a good night's sleep before their big day.
One really nice idea for the rehearsal dinner that your groom is sure to plan to perfection, is a picnic. It is simple, classy and is held in the afternoon giving the bride and groom plenty of time to unwind and prepare for their big day. Here are a few ideas to help make your picnic perfect (You may want to print this out for hubby):
He can't go wrong: Although your groom might not be clipping magazine articles and running from shop to shop to find the perfect satin stilettos-believe me, he is the perfect person to plan this picnic. (wow, that use of alliteration was unintentional, but I'll leave it there for fun!). A picnic is all about comfort, ease and good company. Those three things are the main ingredients for your picnic, and your groom knows exactly where to find them! (aisle four of your local grocery store).
Location: Choose a covered area where there are picnic tables and benches. A checkered blanket laid out on the grass with a bottle of wine and some fresh fruit is absolutely adorable if you are planning a picnic for just the two of you, but since you'll have a larger group this time- opt for the tables. Your guests will thank you. If you will have children in attendance, try to find a park that has a playground, and be sure there are shady areas for guests that want to duck out of the sun.
Entertainment: Have fun. The great thing about a picnic is there is plenty of opportunity (and space) to run around and let off some steam. After many months of planning, this is just what you need. Set up a volley ball net, bring a football, and for your older guests, set up a game of bocce. You'll not only get a chance to let loose, but these types of activities will encourage all of your guests to join in on the fun.
The Menu: When planning your menu, keep it simple. If you have a large number of people you could hire a caterer to prepare the food for you in advance. In that case you'd want to plan for small bites and finger foods. Many times you can find a picnic location that has barbecue pit right on the premises, so you can grill up a few hamburgers, hot-dogs, chicken and ribs right there with your guests. The groom, the best man, and the fathers of the happy couple will probably jump at the chance to compete with each other over who will get to hold the "Grill Master" title. What can I tell you-- it's a man thing.
Relax: Always remember that this is the time for you to unwind and let go of all of the stress and concerns relating to your big day. Keep in mind this day is about celebrating the bride and groom, but also honoring all of the people that have lent a hand throughout your planning process.
Do you have some unique rehearsal dinner ideas you'd like to share with us? Send us a comment, and tell Mama about it!
No comments:
Post a Comment