Rehearsal Dinner Advice needed (long)

Here is the story...FH family is in Europe and are coming for the wedding...FH and I wanted to have a RD and since it is a tradition for the Grooms parents to host/pay for it...we approached them with the idea. (we would take care of all the details) FH parents are spending a great deal of money coming over, flight, hotel...etc. His folks expressed concern about the cost. They can't understand why we don't just go out for a drink. Honestly, I didn't even what to label it 'RD'. We just wanted to have our families together for a nice dinner.

My parents have paid for the entire wedding, except for few minor expenses which FH and I paid for. So we refuse to ask them for anything else.

Should we just forget the RD?

Re: Rehearsal Dinner Advice needed (long)

I have the same problem. We are paying for the RD, because there is no way FI's mother could afford it.

I wouldnt be affend if I were you - just not their custom. So if you would like to have one, pay for it yourself.

Re: Rehearsal Dinner Advice needed (long)

You don't have to have a rehearsal dinner.
If you can't afford the extra expense, you may want to consider having everyone stop back at your place for dinner. That may add more stress for you though.

Re: Rehearsal Dinner Advice needed (long)

We thought about paying for it ourselves, but money is super tight. So I guess we will just have to forget it.

thanks.

Re: Rehearsal Dinner Advice needed (long)

We paid for it ourselves. We had 20 people and only paid $350 total. We did an afternoon (3pm) early dinner w/soda, coffee and tea, no alcohol. Our families had a great time.

Re: Rehearsal Dinner Advice needed (long)

NovemberSue: Our place is too small, but maybe my mother will let us use her house. FH & I will provide the food and beverage, though. Maybe we'll try that. Thanks...

Re: Rehearsal Dinner Advice needed (long)

I would have something at your house. It could be as simple as pizza or heros. That would be a good place to have your families meet each other. Good Luck!

Re: Rehearsal Dinner Advice needed (long)

If my husband's parents didn't offer to pay for the rehearsal dinner, I would have had everyone over for pizza. Weddings are very expensive and we just couldn't afford to spend another $400 or so on a rehearsal.

Re: Rehearsal Dinner Advice needed (long)

I've heard a lot about cocktail parties. They are less expensive and more laid back. Maybe FI family would feel more comfortable...that would be going out for a drink...kind of.
Good luck

Re: Rehearsal Dinner Advice needed (long)

There are other options. You could have it at your home or your parents home. There you could have figure sandwiches or heros with salads, buy alcohol and beverages. You could also decorate the house your using as well. Depending on the time of year, you could have a backyard party.

I was in a wedding, years ago, and they had the rehearsal dinner in the backyard. The had it catered by there favorite chinese resturant and bought alcohol, as well as decorated the backyard.

there are resturants that are very reasonable that offer a dinner for small parties.