So, you’re engaged! Where’s the rehearsal dinner?
Not the first thing you’re thinking of, probably, and that’s OK. Most couples don’t turn their attention to where to hold their rehearsal dinner until four to five months before the wedding.
That’s usually enough time to find a place to dine with the wedding party and family after the ceremony walk-through. Traditionally, “The rehearsal dinner is really there as a thank-you from the groom’s parents to the wedding party because the wedding is traditionally hosted by the bride’s family,” says Denver wedding planner Michelle Bennewitz of An Occasion to Remember.
She often has to explain to clients that “first and foremost, not everybody is invited to the rehearsal dinner — it’s the bridal party and parents of bride and groom and anybody outside of that, that’s your decision to make,” says Bennewitz. “It’s a matter of being smart with your money. You don’t necessarily have to spend all this money for something that can be absolutely beautiful.”
Rehearsal dinners can offer a contrast to the formality and stress of the wedding day and give the families a chance to get to know each other in a more casual setting.
“This is a chance to have a little more fun, as weddings are usually more formal,” says Christa Vagnozzi, senior editor at The Knot, a wedding website and magazine. “It’s a chance to give your guests a different experience.”
Themed rehearsals — tapas, comfort food, tea parties — are popular these days, she says. If you haven’t gotten married lately, the whole wedding experience has become more elaborate, but there’s plenty of info out there to help. So much, in fact, that we consulted “The Knot Book of Wedding Lists” and theknot for answers to common rehearsal-dinner questions:
1. Who’s hosting? Traditionally, the groom’s family organizes and pays for this party, but it’s open to whoever wishes to foot the bill.
2. Who’s coming? Invite the wedding party and your immediate family. You might also include your out-of-town guests.
3. When’s the party? Typically, it’s the night before the wedding, but consider an intimate rehearsal dinner two nights before the wedding, to give people a day to rest.
4. What kind of food? Just hors d’oeuvres and drinks, a light dinner, a buffet or full-service dinner?
5. Where should we have it? Does it have to be within walking distance from the hotels? From the rehearsal/ceremony site? A place that holds special meaning for you?
6. Does the site need to have any special amenities? AV equipment for slide shows, outdoor space, DJ?
7. What is the room charge? If you plan to rent a space and have the dinner catered or bring in other foods, there might be a separate charge.
8. Who toasts? This is a great time to thank your loved ones in a more intimate way than at the wedding reception itself. The groom’s father often goes first, toasting his soon-to-be daughter-in-law and her family; the groom also says a few words.
9. Giving gifts? You might want to give the wedding party thank-you gifts tonight.
10. Tequila shots, anyone? No. You want to feel good in the morning!
Kristen Browning-Blas: 303-954-1440 or kbrowning@denverpost.com
Primo spots for the wedding party to dine
The Buckhorn Exchange, 1000 Osage St., Denver, 303-534-9505. Looking for the Wild West? The roof garden at this iconic eatery seats up to 70, or you can rent out the whole restaurant for a party of 150.
Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse, 8100 E. Orchard Road, Greenwood Village, 303-796-0100. Many of Denver’s high-end steakhouses have private rooms. Del Frisco’s has five, to seat 15 to 100.
Denver Botanic Gardens, 1005 York St., Denver, 720-865-3590 (facility rental coordinator) and Chatfield, 8500 Deer Creek Canyon Road, Littleton, 303-973-3705. The best months to have an event at the gardens are May through September. Scheduling for 2008 began in October.
Domo, 1365 Osage St., Denver, 303-595-3666. This Japanese country inn has a rustic patio/garden for private events, up to 80 people.
Elway’s, 2500 E. First Ave., Denver, 303-399-7616. The Cherry Creek location offers private rooms and a heated outdoor patio for up to 65 people. The new Elway’s in the Ritz-Carlton Hotel downtown has a private dining room that seats 50.
The Kitchen, 1039 Pearl St., Boulder, 303-544-5973. Host 12 at the community table in the main dining room, or buy out the upstairs space for up to 85 at this acclaimed bistro.
Lola, 1575 Boulder St., Denver, 720-570-8686. Lively Mexican restaurant with a seafood- oriented menu rents its downstairs room, Belola, for private parties.
Mercury Cafe, 2199 California St., 303-294-9281. This funky Denver institution serves organic local food for parties up to 600 and offers dance lessons!
Kristen Browning-Blas
