How to Plan a Successful Rehearsal Dinner

By Weddings By Wendi – Your Texas Hill Country wedding planner

Most people underestimate the importance of a rehearsal dinner in the overall wedding experience. This gathering sets the tone for the celebrations to come and offers a chance for your closest family and friends to gather before the big day. Here’s how to plan a successful rehearsal dinner that your guests will enjoy.

First, establish your budget. Determine how much you can allocate for the rehearsal dinner, considering expenses such as food, venue, decorations, and any activities you may want to include. A clear budget will guide your planning process and help you make informed decisions.

Next, choose a date and time. The rehearsal dinner typically takes place the night before the wedding, but you might opt for a different day if it suits your schedule and provides more time for guests to arrive. A casual evening event often works best, allowing your guests to wind down before the wedding festivities.

Now, create your guest list. This usually includes immediate family members, the wedding party, and sometimes other close friends. Be mindful of your venue size and budget when finalizing the list. Once you have a clear idea of who you want to invite, send out invitations. Digital invites are often a convenient option, but printed cards can add a personal touch.

The venue is next on your list. Choose a location that is easily accessible for your guests and aligns with the overall vibe of your wedding. Popular options include restaurants, homes, or outdoor spaces. Make sure to book your venue well in advance to ensure availability.

When planning the menu, consider your guests’ dietary needs. You can opt for a sit-down dinner, buffet, or even a casual barbecue, depending on your theme and budget. Incorporating dishes that reflect your personal tastes can add a unique touch. If you’re unsure, consulting with a caterer who can offer recommendations might be beneficial.

Incorporating meaningful touches can elevate your rehearsal dinner. This might include personalized decorations, a slideshow of your relationship, or even games to engage your guests. Sharing anecdotes or speeches can also create a warm atmosphere and encourage bonding among family members and friends.

Consider the flow of the evening. Start by allowing guests to mingle, then move into dinner, followed by any planned speeches or activities. Having a schedule in mind helps keep things organized, ensuring that everyone feels included and that the night runs smoothly.

Lastly, be sure to express gratitude. As the hosts, take a moment to thank everyone for attending and for their support leading up to the wedding. A small token of appreciation, such as a personalized favor or handwritten note, can make your guests feel valued and cherished.

By following these steps, you can organize a rehearsal dinner that not only allows you to celebrate your upcoming wedding but also creates lasting memories with your loved ones.

Aaron V.

19:49 03 Oct 25

I don’t even know where to start. Wendy has truly become a close family member. She made this wedding possible and rescued us when other vendors/venues failed us. South Padre Island should look at Wendy’s quick thinking, organizing, and management skills as a reference. She is South Padre Island. She is the Anna Wintour of weddings planning. Wendy is a blessing and a gift. She made my wife’s wedding perfect and impeccable communication skills and commitment. I can write a whole novel about Wendy and the experience we had with her. She’s truly amazing. Also her prices are more than fair. She does this because she loves it. Also Martin is a fantastic!! Amazing photographer.

FlowerMom

18:55 20 Sep 25

My husband and I got married in South Padre in 2021( during covid times) Since we were from Houston, we trusted Weddings By Wendi with all her recommendations for photography, caterer, hair/makeup, etc and couldn't have been happier! On our wedding day a storm rolled in causing us to go from plan A to B but her and her team made sure our special day was perfect even with the unexpected weather! Still think about our wedding everyday!

Loren M.

20:42 17 Aug 25

We absolutely loved working with Wendi and Martin for our family photos. They helped us with how to get the best shot while also making sure to get some poses that we wanted. Wendi did amazing getting our almost one year old to smile too! They are kind and great to work with. We cannot wait to hang the photos in our home!

Abigail C.

20:09 27 May 25

I cannot thank Wendy enough for everything she did to make our wedding day absolutely perfect. I was in the middle of finishing my finals and incredibly stressed, but Wendy took care of every detail and made the entire planning process so easy and stress-free for me. I wanted a micro wedding—something private, intimate, and personal—and she delivered exactly that! The view was breathtaking, and my dream of having a sunset wedding was delivered.

Martin also played a big role in making our day special. He made both my husband and me feel completely comfortable, and we can’t wait to see the photos! I highly recommend!

Khristine

04:29 18 Apr 25

We were truly fortunate to have had such a flawless day! Wendi was exceptional, and every detail was meticulously planned. From subtle touches to expertly managing challenging guests, she demonstrated remarkable resilience and poise. Her outstanding reputation on the island was evident, as everyone seemed eager to accommodate her requests. Wendi delivers outstanding results, and when she commits to you, she consistently delivers. She and Martin have created a one stop shop, which is perfect for destination or out of town weddings. We are happy to know them and would highly recommend Weddings by Wendi to anyone in the South Texas area and Austin who is planning a wedding soon. Wendi is your go to girl and will make sure your day is as perfect as ours was!!

Sara S

01:48 25 Nov 24

Every single thing about our wedding was perfect. Wendi did every thing I wanted and the wedding was super smooth. The photos were magical and really captured the beauty of the night. She thinks about everything and has connections for anything you might want.

Rebecca C.

20:15 26 Oct 24

Wendi, you are amazing. Everything was so perfect. You exceeded our expectations. Our wedding was everything I envisioned.

Michael J.

01:25 25 Sep 24

When it comes to wedding planning, let Wendi take the wheel! She took all the stress off of us and planned the perfect day for me and my wife! You won't lift a finger and all your wedding dreams will come TRUE!

Meghan M.

17:35 23 Sep 24

Wendi and Martin are an excellent team! I had a wonderful experience with both of them. I used them to take my maternity photos and plan my baby shower. I couldn’t say enough positive words about them both. They make you feel comfortable and bring your vision to life. So happy with how everything turned out! Would highly recommend them for photos and events.

Sarah S.

19:55 18 Jun 24

I have no words to express how grateful I am for Wendi… from day one she has been helpful, sweet and answered any questions or concerns that I had. She made accommodations for my wedding and made sure that my husband and I felt comfortable and happy with how everything was going to turn out, even my dog was able to participate which was a big deal for me. My wedding day was a dream come true thanks to Wendi, we had beautiful photos taken during the sunset, Martin did an amazing job at taking these photos. I highly recommend Weddings by Wendi

Sharon B.

14:17 18 Jun 24

Wedding’s by Wendi ! God truly blessed us the day we met Wendi she makes your dreams actually come true … she is very detailed in her work from beginning to the end our day ! It was magical like a fairytale ! If pictures could speak if you can just see the beauty in every picture & all the love & dedication then Wendi’s you go to girl ! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts❤️

Kayla A.

23:41 01 May 24

Our wedding came out so stunning. Having Wendi plan out our wedding took so much weight off our shoulders before and during the event. She has a keen eye to every detail and is such an amazing advocate for our vision of how our wedding should look like.
A true wedding planner icon of the island, highly recommend to seek her wedding services.
Also.. the Picasso house is so gorgeous I already miss it.

Samuel R.

21:23 29 Sep 23

Just wanted to thank Wendi and her family for a wonderful wedding ceremony!! We loved the setup and the sunset wedding!! It was a magical day for us!! We loved South Padre Island!! We are gonna try to make it out every year for our anniversary!!