The OurWeddingDay Blog

Want to wow your guests and your fiancé at your rehearsal dinner? You don’t have to be a poet to give a touching, authentic toast to your parents and your groom-to-be. Just follow these tips for a great toast.

Thank Mom and Dad
Thank your parents for everything they’ve done to help you with the wedding and to support your relationship. You don’t need to go into financial specifics. Avoid “thanks for paying for the caterer” and stick to “thanks for holding my hand while I tried to pick flowers.” They’ll toast you first, so be prepared to respond to what they’ve said. Many times a simple thank you in acknowledgement is fine.

Don’t be a Comedian
Unless humor comes very naturally to you, don’t stress out about trying to make everyone laugh. A wedding rehearsal dinner is generally an intimate, welcoming affair. Try to stay relaxed and sincere. If you feel tears coming on, go with the flow. Embrace your emotions.

Toast your Fiancé
This is your last night before you become husband and wife. Tell your fiancé how excited you are. Reminisce about the time you met or an important date you went on. Wish him luck. Be genuine and loving. You’re in this together.

On the day or evening before your wedding, it’s important to rehearse the basics of your ceremony and reception. Traditionally, the bride and groom enjoy a meal with their attendants and close family members before or after rehearsing. While the groom’s family is usually responsible for hosting the dinner, brides often have input.

Planning
Depending on the size of the bridal party, the rehearsal dinner can be held at someone’s home or at a restaurant. More recently, quirky wedding rehearsal dinner parties have been held at unique locations like bowling alleys and karaoke bars. If a lot of your guests are flying in from out of town, consider expanding the guest list beyond your bridal party to give everyone an extra chance to socialize.

Rehearsing
At the rehearsal, your officiant and wedding organizer will lead you and your bridal party through the basics of the ceremony. If you created a ribbon-bouquet at your bridal shower, bring it along as a stand-in for your flowers. Rehearsals generally take about an hour. Have a friend come along to take pictures for your wedding scrapbook.

Celebrating
During the rehearsal dinner, the bride and groom traditionally toast their guests. This is the time to thank your parents and attendants for all they’ve done to help you plan your wedding. Prepare a speech ahead of time if you anticipate being nervous about toasting. Don’t forget to bring the thank-you gifts for your bridesmaids and groomsmen; they’re traditionally given out at the rehearsal dinner.