If we haven’t met yet, I’m Bree — a SoCal wedding photographer. I’ve seen everything… I mean everything when it comes to weddings. “I got a lifetime o’ knowledge” (if you know what movie I’m quoting… ily), so that’s why I’m passionate about giving this knowledge back to couples planning their wedding day. Your special day deserves to be smooth, unique to you, and fun!

Today’s tip is about making your rehearsal dinner/welcome party unique, fun, and functional!

A lot of couples overlook rehearsal dinners because they spend all their time planning for the actual wedding day. There’s already a lot to plan, right? BUT, rehearsal dinners are really just an extension of your celebration as a whole! They set the tone of the weekend without all the formalities of a wedding day. You’re finally getting to relax knowing that all the planning is done and the fun begins!

Whether you’re having a destination wedding or a backyard celebration, you can make your rehearsal dinner EPIC. No boring ballrooms here!

Make your welcome party unique to YOU!

Rehearsal dinners are the perfect opportunity to do something reflective of your relationship that you might not have been able to do for your wedding day. Ideas and inspiration below:

11. Hire a second line jazz band to parade you through the streets.

This New Orleans welcome party set the tone for the wedding weekend. Everyone knew it was gonna be a full weekend party! Hire this band

10. Host a fun cocktail hour on the beach or in the forest.

9. Rent out a villa or VRBO.

(even better if you can stay the night with your wedding party and get ready there in the morning!)

8. Rent out a rooftop bar near the coast or downtown.

7. Go to a jazz club or speakeasy with your family and wedding party.

6. Take a brewery tour followed by a dinner and tasting.

5. Host a classy pizza party.

(hire a mobile brick oven pizza caterer)

4. Hire food trucks, live music, and entertainment like a custom cowboy hat bar.

3. Exchange gifts with your parents, fiancé(e), before the wedding.

It’ll make your day more relaxed when it’s one less thing to worry about on the day-of!

2. Host an intimate dinner at your hotel with your closest family / friends.

1. Rent a sailboat or catamaran to take you and your guests on a sunset cruise, including appetizers and drinks.

Disclaimer: There’s no right or wrong way to do a wedding… but as your resident hype-girl, I want you to cheer you on to do what YOU want for your special day!

🥳🥳 Loved these ideas? You’ll love my blog post on “Why You Should Do Speeches at Your Rehearsal Dinner” 🥳🥳