Who Goes to Rehearsal Dinner for Destination Wedding?

By Michael Ferguson

A destination wedding is a dream for many couples, as it allows them to get away from the stress of planning a local wedding, and combine the honeymoon with the actual ceremony. With this type of wedding, comes a unique set of rules and etiquette – notably one that pertains to who should be invited to the rehearsal dinner.

Typically, in-person rehearsal dinners are held the night before the wedding. But what happens when you’re having a destination wedding?

Who goes? Is it just immediate family and attendants of both parties or do you include everyone that’s traveling with you?

Immediate Family and Attendants: Generally speaking, it is customary to only invite immediate family members and those in the bridal party to the rehearsal dinner. This can include parents, siblings, grandparents and close friends. It’s important to remember that even though your parents may be splitting up the cost of hosting this event, it doesn’t mean they need to invite all their friends from out of town.

Extended Family: Depending on your family dynamic, extended family or close relatives may be invited as well. If both sides have large families who live out of town but are making special trips for your destination wedding, it may make sense to include them in your rehearsal dinner festivities. If not, consider sending them an invitation card as a courtesy.

Wedding Guests: When it comes to guests who are attending just the ceremony or reception (and not both), they should not be included in your rehearsal dinner plans. This is especially true if they are travelling from out of town; you don’t want to add more stress or expense on their behalf by inviting them.

Conclusion: Ultimately, deciding who goes for a destination wedding is up to you – but don’t forget that etiquette still applies! Immediate family members and attendants are typically invited while extended family or guests who are only attending part of the celebration should not be included in your plans.