do you invite the bridal party with dates to the rehearsal dinner?

Original post by LaBellaVita622

Jun 26, 2009 08:28 PM

just curious because FH was in a bridal party last year & I wasn't invited...My best friend's boyfriend is in one & she went to their dinner last night. just wondering what proper ettiquette is & or is it necessary.

ps I wasn't invited to the shower either which I thought was pretty messed up too..oh well no gift for that (bride)zilla! haha

sophisticat13 Posted: Jun 27, 2009 10:15 AM

Re: do you invite the bridal party with dates to the rehearsal dinner?

Of my MOHs (my sisters), one is married and one is in a serious relationship, so that was a no-brainer...my FSIL/BM was not dating anyone, but if she was, regardless of the relationship, I would have invited her with him. Ditto for my FH's best man...I feel that if they are in your BP that is the right thing to do. On the other hand it's understandable if you are paying for the wedding and RD yourselves, or even if you aren't but cost is a factor, then sometimes you have to cut costs...especially if members of the BP are not in a serious relationship. Bottom line-if you can afford to have all of your BP + guests I would regardless of the relationship as a courtesy...but if cost is a factor, then only invite the ppl who are in a relationship/serious relationship.

Bridezilla2009 Posted: Jun 27, 2009 10:16 AM

Re: do you invite the bridal party with dates to the rehearsal dinner?

you should offer the invitation...after all your bridal party is paying for alot in regards to your wedding, the least you could do is buy them and their date a dinner.

rocketsummer17 Posted: Jun 27, 2009 12:07 PM

Re: do you invite the bridal party with dates to the rehearsal dinner?

We are sticking to our 'wedding guest' rule for the RD, and our BP is all family!! if someone is in a new relationship/not serious at all, they are not going to be invited with a guest...if they are in a serious relationship (engaged/married) they obviously going to be invited with guest...If they are dating someone and their significant other is an active part of the family (around for a year or longer...) then they get a guest too...

MrsHandsome2Be Posted: Jun 27, 2009 12:57 PM

Re: do you invite the bridal party with dates to the rehearsal dinner?

Posted by Lsorrent

I am if they are in a relationship. But people like FSIL and FBIL are not in relationships, so they'll be invited to the RD alone, but to the wedding with a guest.

same here

MrsList Posted: Jun 27, 2009 09:38 PM

Re: do you invite the bridal party with dates to the rehearsal dinner?

I would say only if they're in a serious relationship unless they're coming in from out of town with the date. Then you kind of have to invite their date because what else are they supposed to do that night for dinner? Although if they're traveling to a wedding together, it's probably somewhat serious anyway.

FutureMrsM Posted: Jun 27, 2009 09:42 PM

Re: do you invite the bridal party with dates to the rehearsal dinner?

We're inviting BP with guests if they are dating, married or in a relationship. There's only 2 people that aren't in any type of relationship right now.

debzy Posted: Jun 28, 2009 08:19 AM

Re: do you invite the bridal party with dates to the rehearsal dinner?

If they are invited to the wedding with a date, I'd invite them to the RD with a date as well.

LaBellaVita622 Posted: Jun 28, 2009 11:45 AM

Re: do you invite the bridal party with dates to the rehearsal dinner?

Thank you everyone this is really going on for a while now! haha

I see what everyone is saying & That's kind of why I think at that time it will be down to the end money wise. So I was going to go with only inviting if they are in a relationship but it seems like some of you are saying if they're bringing a date to the wedding then let them bring someone to the dinner too? Even if it's someone random you never met??..I just feel like the RH is kind of smaller more intimate time that it's not necessary to have the total stranger attend...haha does that make sense?

kellylee418 Posted: Jun 28, 2009 04:40 PM

Re: do you invite the bridal party with dates to the rehearsal dinner?

I honestly don't think it is necessary. The RD is so you can thank your bridal party for being a part of your wedding. I am not inviting our BP with dates unless they are married.

I wasn't invited to a RD of a wedding FH was in and I wasn't offended at all. But I also went to a RD where the bride invited like 75 people and half the people were like why am I here?

I think it is just preference so do whatever you want to do. I don't think you are rude for not inviting some with dates but I guess others would think we are rude. But really, do what you think. Maybe even talk about it with your BP and see. My girls are invited to the wedding with guests and they have all said they don't even want to bring guests to the wedding so it all depends on what works for you I guess.