No, you do not need a rehearsal dinner. It is an optional gathering, usually the night before the wedding, where you thank the people who helped you plan and introduce your attendants to both families. In Australia they are less common than in the US, and many couples skip them or swap the formal sit-down for a casual dinner, a barbecue or drinks.
A wedding rehearsal is a run-through of the ceremony with your celebrant and bridal party, so everyone knows where to stand and when to walk. The rehearsal dinner is the meal or gathering that often follows it.
It gives you time to thank everyone who helped, and lets two families meet properly before the big day.
Not every wedding needs one. Many Australian couples now skip the ceremony rehearsal entirely, and fewer hold a dinner afterwards, often because of cost or a smaller guest list.
It is worth having if guests have travelled a long way, your bridal party has never met, or you want relaxed time with family before a busy wedding day. If none of those apply, a quick run-through and a round at the pub is plenty.
Traditionally, the groom's parents hosted and paid for the rehearsal dinner. Today many couples pay for their own wedding or share costs with both families, so decide together who covers this event.
Keep it smaller and simpler than the wedding itself, so the reception still feels like the main event.
At minimum, invite your attendants and their partners, your parents and siblings, and the celebrant with a guest. Some couples also invite guests who have travelled from interstate or overseas.
Send these invitations around the same time as your wedding invitations, so guests can plan and you know your numbers early.
Most rehearsal dinners mix a meal, mingling and a few short toasts. Hosts often welcome everyone, and you can thank your helpers while the room is still small and relaxed.
A rehearsal dinner does not have to be dinner. Pick whatever suits your wedding and your budget.
The dress code is usually a step down from the wedding, from smart casual to cocktail depending on the setting. Our guide to what to wear to your rehearsal dinner has outfit ideas.
Some wedding venues offer a rehearsal dinner package or a private room for the night before, which saves you organising a second location. Browse wedding venues in Sydney, or let Wedded Concierge arrange the rehearsal, the dinner and the rest of your wedding weekend.
Written by
Senior SEO Specialist, Wedded Wonderland
Mark Tuason is the Senior SEO Specialist at Wedded Wonderland, where he writes and refreshes the brand's guides to destination weddings and cultural wedding traditions. He starts with the questions couples search for, checks the answers against trusted sources, and shapes each guide to help them plan, compare and book with confidence. Based in the Philippines, he specialises in content strategy and on-page SEO.
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