Rehearsal dinners are typically more formal events than a bridal shower that occur the day before a wedding takes place. The rehearsal dinner is an older tradition, but many brides and grooms choose to use the rehearsal dinner as a way to enjoy their time with their families and friends before the big day.
If you have been invited to a rehearsal dinner, you are likely wondering what to wear and how to dress appropriately for the event. Our article gives you essential tips on what to wear to a rehearsal dinner.
What Is a Rehearsal Dinner?
A rehearsal dinner is the dinner that occurs after a wedding rehearsal takes place. The wedding rehearsal is where the wedding party will practice walking down the aisle and ensuring that everything is ready for the big day. Wedding rehearsals and rehearsal dinners typically occur within a few days before the actual wedding date.
Traditionally, the groom’s family plans and pays for the rehearsal dinner, though this tradition is not seen as binding in today’s modern wedding world.
In general, the rehearsal dinner will be held at a nearby venue that provides guests with food and drinks to celebrate a successful wedding rehearsal and the wedding date. As such, rehearsal dinners are often called the ‘party before the party.’
Considerations for Choosing Your Rehearsal Dinner Outfit
As you start to choose your rehearsal dinner outfit, there are a few things you will need to keep in mind to ensure that the outfit you choose is both stylish and appropriate for the occasion. We list these factors below so you can review them before thinking about which rehearsal dinner style is best for you.
Location
The location and venue of your rehearsal dinner event are especially important to keep in mind, as many locations may have a variety of dress code requirements or unique vibes that you will need to dress appropriately for.
For example, if a rehearsal dinner is being held at a beach-front bar or restaurant, then an outfit that is lighter and more flowy may be more appropriate. Alternatively, if a rehearsal dinner is being held within an upscale hotel bar or restaurant, then you might need to dress with more formality and add things like high heels to your outfit.
The location of your rehearsal dinner event should be listed on the invitation. If you have any questions about a venue or location, you should contact the organization or the bride and groom to ensure you are prepared for the event.
Dress Code Requests
Sometimes, the bride and groom will make certain dress code requests for those attending their wedding. This could be things like all-black attire, formal evening gowns, or semi-casual attire. They may even ask for a specific theme, like the 1920s or Western styling. Specific colors or patterns may be requested, or the bride and groom may ask you to avoid wearing certain colors.
It’s important to pay attention to these requests and keep them in mind as you choose your own rehearsal dinner outfit. Following dress code requests shows respect to the bride and groom and ensures that you don’t accidentally commit a fashion faux pas.
Weather and Season
The weather and season in which your rehearsal dinner is being held can often factor into the type of outfit you wear for your rehearsal dinner.
Fall and winter rehearsal dinners typically call for indoor venues, and you may need an outfit that is more layered or features jackets and other warm accessories like scarves.
On the other hand, spring and summer rehearsal dinners could be held outdoors, which means you might need lighter and brighter clothing. You may want to match the theme of the season by wearing pastels, floral patterns, or other brighter and summery colors.
Accessories
Another consideration to make when choosing your rehearsal dinner outfit is whether or not you wish to accessorize your outfit. You may also want to think about specific accessories to pair with your outfit.
Certain jackets, shoes, ties, or items of jewelry may only look good with specific dresses, skirts, pants, or colors. It is always important to keep this in mind when dressing for any event, but especially something like a rehearsal dinner.
What to Wear to a Rehearsal Dinner
Figuring out what to wear to a rehearsal dinner can be confusing, as you will need to keep several factors in mind as you decide on your outfit. Below, we give you ideas and suggestions on what to wear to a rehearsal dinner no matter your role in the wedding you are attending.
As a Member of the Wedding Party
Members of the wedding party include the bride and groom and bridesmaids or groomsmen. In general, you can expect a rehearsal dinner to be a more upscale event than a bachelorette or bachelor party. Dress code expectations do vary depending on what the bride and groom have requested.
However, a more modest outfit such as a slip dress or longer cocktail dress, a classy jumpsuit, or a tailored pair of pants and a collared shirt are all great options.
As a Parent or Family Member
Depending on what the married couple-to-be requests, parents and family members may need to follow a certain dress code, such as all-black attire or formal attire. These specific attire requests are often made to ensure that photographs turn out looking uniform.
You can expect the formality to be a step up from casual yet not as formal as you will need to wear during the wedding. Longer dresses, tailored suits, and skirts with blouses are all great options for rehearsal dinner outfits.
As a Friend
For friends and other loved ones who are invited to a rehearsal dinner, it’s important to keep in mind the general rules of etiquette for a wedding. Avoid the color white, and avoid making any risky fashion choices or wearing a super revealing outfit to the rehearsal dinner.
Your outfit should be classy, somewhat formal, and match the vibe of the venue you are attending. Dresses, skirts with blouses, and a pair of dress pants and a blouse or collared shirt are all great options for rehearsal dinner outfits.
Where Can I Buy My Rehearsal Dinner Outfit?
Once you have a good idea of what you want to wear to a rehearsal dinner, you may be wondering where to get your outfit or if you can purchase them online or in person. In general, you may be able to find your rehearsal dinner outfit at local malls or boutique stores, as these stores carry a range of outfits that can match all formality styles.
If you are shopping on a budget, a thrift store may be a good idea, or you can search for your rehearsal dinner outfit online. However, remember to leave enough time for shipping and returns if you do plan on ordering your rehearsal outfit from an online store.
Keeping It Stylish at Your Next Rehearsal Dinner
Rehearsal dinners are often fun, carefree events that tend to be more formal than the other events that can lead up to a wedding date.
It’s always important to keep dress code requirements and other important venue and location factors in mind when choosing your rehearsal dinner outfit. You should always follow the rules of wedding etiquette as you pick an outfit to wear while you celebrate a bride and groom.