Rehearsal dinner

[Sweetener12]

Did you have one? Did you have the rehearsal itself? My FH's family is sure it is a must (they are from the US, so you see the point) and they are really pushy about that, but I don't see the real reason to have it, unless the wedding party is huge (and our will be not). What do you think, did you do all these things at your weddings?

It's a very American thing.

We had a rehearsal which is quite common for church weddings and we have a BBQ after. It was only immediate family though.

They aren't required and likely not allowed now anyway

We didn’t although for my mums wedding we did go to the church the day before. I’ve been to weddings where everyone met for a meal the night before as they were staying in the area; for my own wedding I preferred a quiet night with with my parents and sister the night before as a chance to relax and get an early night

Where are you going to have the wedding, in the UK or in the US? I think this can help you to make the decision: idk how are things in the US now, but here you probably just won't be allowed to have a gathering like that. My friend had married an american guy but they didn't have neither a rehearsal, not a dinner after it, they've just sent a smartshow 3d presentation to thank everyone who had helped with the preparations. I think it's not obligatory in the US either, so don't worry and do as you wish, the wedding is yours.

We had a rehearsal at the church so everyone knew where to stand etc although that was only with the wedding party not all guests. Afterwards dh side of the family who had travelled down had a mela and drinks out but my family was local so we just had drinks and a takeaway at home.
It depends when the wedding is and where if it is the US then I guess you are must likely to go by those cultures

My nephew got married in the US and we went for a family dinner the night before.
It was definitely expected.
No mention of actually rehearsing anything though.
My bil paid as father of the groom.
Although my nephew paid for the wedding.
Not sure how it all works.

It's an American thing but they don't have a sit down meal after the wedding normally, it's more like the evening do here. I actually prefer it to having both the sit down and party on the same day especially if family are coming a distance

We had a rehearsal in church the evening before .

Then my DM hosted our extended family for dinner in her house and I was expected to attend. (And do most of the work and stay up late entertaining (I got to bed at 2am! - if been planning 11pm latest and hoping for 10) when I was on my knees with fatigue - from many things all happening at once, not just the wedding).

DMIL also hosted her extended family but DH was able to relax and slip away to bed when it suited him.

In our case though, the 2 DMs did not (still don’t really) get on so a shared event of just 2 immediate families would not have worked.

A rehearsal is common for church ceremonies here (not civil ceremonies) but I've never heard of anyone having a US-style rehearsal dinner afterwards.

If it's happening soon and it's in England you'd be limited to six people under the current rules anyway. I'd expect the exemption for weddings to relate only to the day itself but you will need to check the wording of the rules when they are published.