Traditions are meant to change and evolve, especially as they pertain to weddings, receptions and especially rehearsal dinners which are generally the least formal of the bunch. An overpriced seafood joint and a couple speeches don’t have to be your only options. This blog not only gives you permission to break the rules, but will also provide some creative alternatives to the traditional rehearsal dinner.
Location
There’s as many alternatives to a traditional rehearsal dinner as there are personalities and hobbies. What worked for your grandparents may not feel right for you. Couples don’t have to limit themselves to a sit-down dinner at the country club. Here’s some great alternative rehearsal dinner location ideas.
Cheers!
Switch it up and book a private space at a craft beer taproom, winery, distillery, or cidery. If you and your partner have a favorite local brewer, you can plan your rehearsal dinner in their space with a sudsy beer theme. Vineyards can be a big hit too, especially if your winemaker of choice offers a Champagne tower to help you celebrate the special occasion. Wine aficionados can share their passion with friends and family with a classy theme celebrating their favorite grapes or by decorating the event space with decor from their favorite wine region.
Light it Up
Do you and your partner fancy a fine cigar now and then? Hold your creative alternative rehearsal dinner at a cigar bar! Smoking cigars has long been a celebratory activity surrounding life’s biggest milestones including weddings, birth of a child or even a big sports win. Cigars are kind of like vinyl records, as in they are things from the past that are having a resurgence as people seek ways to slow down, unplug and enjoy the moment.
Give it a Spin
Speaking of vinyl, how about an ultra hip listening lounge? If you’re really into music, chill vibes and good sound, a hi-fi listening lounge might make a great place for an alternative rehearsal dinner. Ask the staff if you can bring a few of your favorite records, or choose some of your top choices from their collection. Music is a universal way of connecting with friends and family and the right tunes can make this alternative rehearsal dinner a night to remember.
Truck Yeah
Food truck round ups can be a lot of fun. Book a few different ones and pick a park or fill a parking lot with picnic tables and turn your alternative rehearsal dinner into a chill night under the stars. Food trucks now serve up just about anything you can imagine. From lobster to ice cream and everything in between.
Fun on the Go
Got a fave spot that’s not on the list? Convert it into a party space with a mobile bar. Mobile bars come in many shapes and sizes. I’ve seen horse trailers, vintage campers and others. And you can always take the party just about anywhere with a bluetooth speaker on a picnic table to keep the party going late into the evening.
Activities
Every good rehearsal dinner party needs some games or an activity. These can serve as casual ice breakers or competitive contests that get the energy flowing.
Horse Track
A warm summer night enjoying the sport of kings could be a great way to spend a few hours with your friends and family. There’s enough downtime between races to tell a few stories and share a few laughs, and enough action on the track so that no one gets bored. And if you’re luck,you’ll all make good bets and go home winners.
Baseball Game
America’s pastime is our most traditional sport. Renting a suite or luxury box for your group of friends and family would be a fun alternative rehearsal dinner for sports fans who want some tradition for their rehearsal dinner, just not the rehearsal dinner kind. Fill the suite with game day eats, and root root root for the home team!
Barcade
If you haven’t been to a barcade, you’re missing out on one of the most fun restaurant concepts of the last 10 or 15 years. It’s not just Dave and Buster’s and the like that I’m talking about. There are also small independently owned hangs serving up single and multi-player arcade action, tasty bites and cold drinks.
Stay “Home”
For couples that opt to rent a big vacation rental home for their wedding party, breaking tradition is easy. I’ve even seen delivery pizza for dinner and board games for entertainment.
Logistics
It’s ok for couples to think of the rehearsal dinner as they would any other party. Speeches can be swapped out for a few rounds of a Cards Against Humanity-type game, wedding themed Pictionary or a game of trivia with questions about the couple and their love story. Get everyone loose and having a good time, and then you don’t have to worry as much about traditions or the logistics of a structured event.
Setting aside 30 – 45 minutes for a quick walk through is usually plenty and can be cut all together if you’re not too worried about keeping up the appearances of a traditional ceremony. If you’re not instituting a wedding party, you likely don’t need a rehearsal. A quick review with your onsite host or coordinator ought to do it.
Do Your Own Thing
As weddings move towards less formal iterations of the traditional wedding some of the rigid motions are falling by the wayside. It’s important to remember why we’re “all gathered here today”. To celebrate love. Not to put on a made for TV performance.
If you’re ready to start planning your alternative rehearsal dinner, but could use some local help here in Las Vegas, get in touch. My team and I are ready to help you coordinate the whole thing. “From soup to nuts” as one of my salesgirls says. Gather After makes it happen so you can make the memories.
