Rehearsal dinner

mcheeks78 Posted: Nov 28, 2010 09:14 AM

Rehearsal dinner

I got a quote for a rehearsal dinner which isn't bad but he says we have to pay 20% gratuity for the staff which isn't a problem. Now is the gratuity paid by myself and FH or by the guest? I am asking because I went to a rehearsal dinner where we as the guest paid for the tip. Thanks

KN2011 Posted: Nov 28, 2010 09:17 AM

Re: Rehearsal dinner

The guests shouldnt have to pay for your rehearsal ever. You are inviting them as a thank you for being part of your wedding.

MongieToBe Posted: Nov 28, 2010 09:18 AM

Re: Rehearsal dinner

I would not ask my guests to contribute any money towards the RD.

spdy540 Posted: Nov 28, 2010 09:34 AM

Re: Rehearsal dinner

It's paid by you. It's your thank you to them

CantWaitMrsH Posted: Nov 28, 2010 10:02 AM

Re: Rehearsal dinner

Guests would not pay the tip ... you would. Its like having a party. We met with one restaurant and it came to about $60 a person without tax/tip. Is that average?

springsandra Posted: Nov 28, 2010 10:31 AM

Re: Rehearsal dinner

We had 24 people at our RD (it was at the hotel we stayed at, actually, in a private ballroom) and it was just over $800 with tax and tip. We did not include alcohol at our RD (and no one seemed to mind). (It was just under $30/pp, plus gratuity.)

Like everyone else said, you pay the tip. It's like if you took friends out for dinner, you wouldn't ask them to leave the tip. Plus it'll just all come on the one bill.

MrsJPH2012 Posted: Nov 28, 2010 10:32 AM

Re: Rehearsal dinner

I've never had the invitees pay for the tip or anything.

CantWaitMrsH Posted: Nov 28, 2010 10:48 AM

Re: Rehearsal dinner

You had no alcohol? That is where we are running into the issue. Beer, wine and soda is $16 per person!

bigday1114 Posted: Nov 28, 2010 10:51 AM

Re: Rehearsal dinner

we had no alcohol at our RD also...no one said a word about it...everyone got their drinks at the bar at the hotel after dinner.

definitley do not let your guests pay the tip, etc. Whoever is the host should pay.

springsandra Posted: Nov 28, 2010 12:54 PM

Re: Rehearsal dinner

Posted by CantWaitMrsH

You had no alcohol? That is where we are running into the issue. Beer, wine and soda is $16 per person!

I think that's what it was extra for alcohol for us too. DH's family doesn't really drink in general, and we had a day wedding the next day so people had to get to sleep that night (including us) so there was no reason to liquor people up. If someone really wanted a drink, they could've gotten one from the hotel bar and brought it in. There was unlimited sweet tea, unsweet tea, soda, and water of course.

The RD was really first for us to do our rehearsal, then for everyone from DH's family and my family to get to know each other a little, and for us to give presents to the wedding party and families. We sat in a giant circle shape in the room and it was a very social and fun experience. Even with my divorced parents in the room and all, everyone got along great.