Your rehearsal dinner is another chance for you to gather with friends & family and celebrate the bride & groom’s unity before the wedding. Similarly to your wedding, there are no rules on how to throw a rehearsal dinner. But here are some tidbits to know about the so-called-norms of throwing a rehearsal dinner.

• Typically, the parents of the groom pay for it, however, nowadays, there are many ways to go about splitting the entire wedding.
• The invited mostly consists of family, out-of-town guests & your bridal party.
• The groom (with the bride, if she’d like) should make a toast thanking everyone for joining them in their celebration. Because the groom’s parents are throwing the party, it’s proper etiquette for the thank you to come from the groom.
• The best men, parents of the bride/groom, & friends should coordinate who will be toasting at the wedding & who will be toasting at the rehearsal dinner.
• Unless your rehearsal dinner will be as big & formal as your wedding, then you don’t need to send out wedding invitations.
• Vendors like a photographer, videographer, DJ/music, planner…etc. aren’t necessary, but can be included for additional costs.

At The Lesner Inn, our Waterside Deck is a perfect space for your rehearsal dinner. If you have already booked your wedding with The Lesner Inn, then Bubba’s is the perfect space for your rehearsal dinner – & they will give you 5% off your bill for booking with us! In either case, you will be in close proximity from where your rehearsal will take place, AND you & your guests will enjoy the breathtaking views of the Lynnhaven River.