I can't see us being able to afford the Rehearsal Dinner...

For the amount of people that will be at the Rehearsal Dinner, between 25-35 people, it will cost us almost an extra $1,000. There's no way we could afford that! My future in laws, are not paying for anything towards our wedding. Aren't they suppose to at least pay for that Dinner? We don't want to have a BBQ since we're having one the day after the wedding. I don't know what else to do?

I am in the same boat Melissa

Scott and I are paying for 99.9% of all wedding-related costs. My Mom and Stepmother are throwing my shower which will be held at a resturant and for about 40 people (but the rest is all a secret). Scott and I have been over it a few times and we just cannot see being able to have a rehersal dinner too. His mother and father are divorced and his mom does not work. I highly doubt they will offer to host the dinner and nothing has ever been said about it either. Our idea is to have a rehersal around 7pm and then invite our guests back to our condo for coffee and dessert. We will get a few bottles of wine, coffee, tea, cookie tray, 2 cakes and a some pastry. Since we are having the wedding the next day, and everyone has to get up early anyway we figure most people will only stay for an hour or so. It is hard for me since I really, really want to do everything the 'right' way but all of my friends know that we are spending so much on the wedding and that we just cannot keep doing more. And everyone totally understands but it still stinks. Perhaps you can just do a dessert thing for about $125 or get hero/salads and a hot pasta dish brought into your parent's home. That will cost you about $200-$300. And I cannot say that Scott's Mom/Dad SHOULD pay for anything since my own parents are not really breaking open their wallets!

I can`t see us being able to afford the Rehearsal Dinner...

have you approached them about paying for the dinner? you never know until you ask. I am annoyed about my situation as well, my FFIL has so much more money than my parents and has not offered to help out at all. when it comes time for the rehearsal dinner, my FH plans on telling him, by the way, you pay for it (well in advance, of course).

We are not having one,

I'd rather not, mainly b/c of the cost and b/c we do not have a bridal party. Instead, since my FILs live in Florida, and have never met my dad and stepmom, or my sister, we are going out to dinner. My FFIL offered this, but we are not expecting any money from either sets of our parents for anything else. IMO, unless your parents have a lot of extra money or they insist on doing your wedding a certain way (inviting their friends, etc.) I don't think it's fair to be upset w/ them b/c they don't help out financially. After all, it's me and my FH who want the big wedding, not them. Neither of our parents are inviting their friends, and are not involved in our plans (flowers, photos, hall, DJ etc.). I agree w/jpsgirl if you FILs have the $$, ask them to help out.

I can`t see us being able to afford the Rehearsal Dinner...

Try Papa Joes in Commack. We had our rehearsal dinner there and it was great and very reasonably priced. Personnaly I would cut something else out before cutting the dinner. It gives you a chance to relax with your bridal party and express your thanks and appreciation to them.

I can`t see us being able to afford the Rehearsal Dinner...

My FH and I are getting married on a Friday night, and are strongly considering a rehearsal brunch the Sunday before. We are hoping we will be able to find someplace for a little less money than holding a dinner, and we thought it would be a nice change from the dinner. Also, it may be less stressful on us to have it the weekend before, rather than the night before. We won't be rehearsing at the actual chapel anyway (we won't find out till 2 weeks before if we can, so we can't plan around that)- so we'd be rehearsing in the restaurant anyway. Just a thought...good luck!

what we did,,,,

ws have our rehersal dinner in a chinese restaurant. We picked 5 dishes that were served family style, fried rice, white rice, soup for all, and 3 different appetizers. we had pitchers of soda on the table and people could order drinks if they wanted. we also got fruit and ice cream. There was so much food that people kept commenting on it. We had 25 people and it cost us about $500. YOu may even want to try one of thoese chinese buffet places. I know the one in Farmingdale has a serperate room. You do not need to spend alot of money...it just a good time to relax and spend time with your family and bridal party. Good Luck Lisa

what we will do

It really has nothing to do with cost, but FHs family are partiers and a restaurant won't do. We will have everyone to rehearse and eat at FHs house. She is a chef and will make the food, but you could do baked ziti...it is extremely esay and cheap. I love Michele's and Lisa Rose's ideas as well