Rehearsal Dinner Etiquette: Who Should Be Invited to the Pre-Wedding Celebration?

314 Exchange • August 11, 2023

When planning a wedding, one of the significant pre-wedding events is the rehearsal dinner. It's a time for the wedding party and close family members to come together and rehearse the ceremony. However, there's often confusion surrounding the guest list for this intimate affair. Proper rehearsal dinner etiquette is essential to ensure that the event remains meaningful and enjoyable for everyone involved.

Understanding the Purpose of the Rehearsal Dinner

The rehearsal dinner is traditionally held the night before the wedding, following the ceremony rehearsal. Its primary purpose is to gather the wedding party and immediate family members, giving them an opportunity to become familiar with the order of events and iron out any last-minute details. However, the rehearsal dinner has evolved beyond its original function and is now seen as a pre-wedding celebration in its own right.

The Wedding Party: A Must-Inclusion

The most critical rule of rehearsal dinner etiquette is to invite everyone who is part of the wedding party. This includes the bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girls, ring bearers, and any other individuals with specific roles in the ceremony. The rehearsal dinner is a chance to thank them for their support and recognize their essential contributions to the wedding day.

Immediate Family: The Core Group

Inviting immediate family members is customary and expected. This includes parents, siblings, and grandparents of the bride and groom. They are the core group of people who have been involved in the couple's lives and have played a significant role in shaping their journey to marriage.

The Officiant and Their Spouse

It's a thoughtful gesture to invite the wedding officiant and their spouse to the rehearsal dinner. They play a crucial role in the wedding ceremony, and extending an invitation shows appreciation for their presence and effort.

Steer Clear of Mandatory Invites

While the wedding party and immediate family should receive automatic invitations, it's essential to avoid mandating attendance for other guests, especially those who have traveled a long distance to attend the wedding. Remember, the rehearsal dinner is an optional event for many guests.

Out-of-Town Guests: To Invite or Not to Invite?

Deciding whether to invite out-of-town guests to the rehearsal dinner can be challenging. While it's considerate to extend an invitation to those who have traveled far to be at the wedding, it's not an obligation. Instead, you can welcome them with a warm greeting and thank them for making the journey during the wedding reception.

The Intimacy Factor: A Small Gathering

To maintain the intimacy of the rehearsal dinner, consider keeping the guest list relatively small. By limiting the attendees to close family and wedding party members, you create a more meaningful and cozy atmosphere.

Plus-Ones and Extended Family

It's generally not necessary to invite plus-ones to the rehearsal dinner, especially if you want to keep the event intimate. However, if a member of the wedding party has a spouse or long-term partner, it's polite to extend an invitation to them.

Handling Divorced or Estranged Parents

Dealing with divorced or estranged parents can be delicate. In such situations, it's best to invite both parties and be clear about seating arrangements to avoid any potential conflicts. Alternatively, you can host separate dinners for each parent to ensure a harmonious atmosphere.

Friends and Special Guests

Close friends who aren't part of the wedding party and hold a special place in the couple's lives may be considered for an invitation. However, if the rehearsal dinner is becoming too large, consider inviting these friends to join for drinks or dessert after the dinner.

The Venue: A Reflection of Your Style

Choosing the right venue for the rehearsal dinner is essential. Some couples opt for a restaurant or banquet hall, while others prefer unique locations like barn wedding venues in Louisville, KY. For those planning a barn wedding, hosting the rehearsal dinner at a picturesque barn venue near Louisville, KY, can set the tone for a rustic and charming celebration.

Setting Expectations: Formal vs. Casual

The formality of the rehearsal dinner should complement the wedding itself. If the wedding is black-tie and formal, the rehearsal dinner might also be an elegant affair. On the other hand, a small wedding with a laid-back vibe could be preceded by a casual and relaxed rehearsal dinner.

Making the Guest List: Communication is Key

To avoid any misunderstandings or hurt feelings, it's essential to communicate clearly about who is invited to the rehearsal dinner. Work closely with your partner and families to ensure that everyone is on the same page and understands the reasoning behind the guest list.

Etiquette dictates that all out-of-town guests should be invited to this pre-wedding party, but what if more than half of your big-day attendees are traveling for the ceremony and reception? Crafting the guest list for this event can be almost as difficult as deciding who gets invited to the wedding!(1)

Welcome Speeches and Toasts

The rehearsal dinner provides an excellent opportunity for heartfelt speeches and toasts. The couple or their parents can express their gratitude to the guests and share heartwarming stories about their journey to marriage.

Catering and Menu Selection

The menu for the rehearsal dinner should cater to the preferences and dietary restrictions of the attendees. Whether it's a sit-down dinner or a buffet, ensure there are enough options to accommodate everyone.

Special Touches: Personalizing the Event

To make the rehearsal dinner even more special, consider personal touches such as a slideshow of the couple's journey or a display of their childhood photos. These elements can add warmth and nostalgia to the celebration.

The Thank-You Note

After the rehearsal dinner, be sure to express your gratitude to all the attendees. A heartfelt thank-you note or email can go a long way in showing your appreciation for their presence and support.

Finally

The rehearsal dinner is a time for love, laughter, and celebration with your closest friends and family. By following proper rehearsal dinner etiquette and carefully considering the guest list, you can create a warm and welcoming atmosphere that sets the stage for a perfect wedding day. Whether you choose barn wedding venues in Louisville, KY, or any small wedding venues Louisville KY that reflects your style, remember that the true essence of the rehearsal dinner lies in the genuine connections made and cherished memories shared.

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About the manager

Ashley Kimble

As the venue manager at 314 Exchange, Ashley Kimble ensures that every event runs smoothly and every person feels supported along the way. Ashley has a passion for building relationships with couples, vendors, and the local community. You will often meet Ashley through a tour or as you're planning your event and have questions.

She brings experience and a hands-on approach to every wedding and event with a focus on organization, communication, hospitality, and guest experience. Ashley is committed to making every celebration seamless, enjoyable, and unforgettable.

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About the owner

Cory Adkinson

Cory Adkinson is the owner and operator of 314 Exchange, a premier wedding and event venue. With a passion for creating unforgettable experiences, Cory has dedicated his career to providing exceptional service and a beautiful setting for weddings, corporate events, and special occasions. As an expert in the event industry, he has a keen eye for detail and a commitment to excellence.

Cory believes in building strong relationships with his clients and goes above and beyond to ensure their vision is brought to life. With his expertise and dedication, Cory has become a trusted name in the event industry and continues to exceed expectations.

Book Your Holiday Party at 314

By Ashley Kimble • September 9, 2026

Book Your Fall and Winter Holiday Party at 314 Office parties, family gatherings, friend groups looking for a reason to get together before the year ends. 314 isn't just a wedding venue. The same barn and grounds that host weddings all season are available for holiday parties too, and fall and winter openings are already going on the calendar. The packages built for this Two of our four event packages fit a holiday party especially well. Weekday Evening runs Monday through Thursday, 5 PM to 11 PM, for $600 . Weekend Evening Celebration runs Friday through Sunday, 5 PM to 11 PM, for $900 . Both are flat rates for a six-hour block, not hourly billing you have to watch. An office party on a weeknight is where the Weekday Evening rate really stands out. Same space, same capacity, a fraction of what a Friday or Saturday date runs. 10% off remaining 2026 dates Mention the code HOLIDAY2026 on your tour or when you book to get 10% off venue rental for any date still open in 2026. This applies to the rental fee only, doesn't combine with other discounts, and is good for 2026 dates specifically, not for a 2027 date booked before the end of this year. The code expires December 31, 2026. What's included Every package comes with exclusive use of the 3,500 square foot interior, the covered outdoor barn structure and grounds, seating for up to 120 guests at round tables, all tables and chairs, two private restrooms, on-site parking, an open vendor policy, a pre-event consultation, and pre and post-event cleaning. Set up for the season The covered barn structure has string lighting and electrical outlets, so it holds up as a space for a party after dark, not just a summer ceremony backdrop. If the evening turns cold, propane heaters are available at $60 each , with four on-site. Want the room fully arranged before guests walk in instead of setting it up yourself? Furniture setup and teardown is a $300 add-on. Table linens run $20 per table in black or ivory, and a dance floor is available for $750 for the day with setup and teardown included. Bar service, handled in-house Kentucky law requires licensed bartenders for any alcohol served, and 314 handles that directly rather than requiring an outside vendor. Open bar, cash bar, and consumption bar options are all available, and pricing depends on guest count and hours. Ask about it when you tour and we'll build it into your quote. Bring your own vendors 314 has an open vendor policy, so you can bring in your own caterer, whether that's a professional catering company or food from a grocery store or retailer. Professional caterers need to carry a $1M certificate of liability insurance, sent to us ahead of the event. The takeaway If you're the one tasked with finding a space for this year's holiday party or family gathering, weekday and weekend evening dates this fall and winter are open now. The earlier you lock in a date, the more of the season you have to choose from. Ready to see it in person? Schedule a tour .

What's Actually Included in the Wedding Weekend Package

By Ashley Kimble • August 31, 2026

What's Actually Included in the Wedding Weekend Package Most couples marrying at 314 don't book the venue and then piece together everything else on their own. They book the Wedding Weekend Package instead, one bundle that covers four things couples usually have to arrange separately. Here's what's in it and what it costs compared to adding those pieces one at a time. The window The package runs from Friday at 5 PM through Saturday at 9 AM. That covers the evening before the wedding through the morning of, so you're not paying for a separate rehearsal date and a separate wedding date as two disconnected bookings. Friday evening: rehearse and decorate You get the venue Friday evening to run the rehearsal and start decorating. Early access is included too, so if you want more time Friday to get ahead of the day, it's already built in rather than something you have to ask for and pay for separately. Table and chair setup, done once Setup happens Friday and doubles as your wedding day setup. You're not scheduling a separate crew or paying for setup twice, the room is ready and waiting when Saturday starts. The Loft, overnight and morning of The package includes an overnight stay in the Loft plus use of it the morning of the wedding to get ready. You can also bring your own food vendor for the weekend and add bar service through 314 if you want it. What it costs, bundled vs. separate Booked as individual add-ons, here's what each piece runs: Friday venue and rehearsal time: $900 Early access: $200 Table and chair setup: $300 Loft, overnight plus morning of: $250 Booked separately: $1,650 Wedding Weekend Package: $1,150 , a savings of $500 What's not included The $150 cleaning fee covers the clean after your wedding on Saturday. If you'd like the space freshened up between Friday's rehearsal and Saturday's wedding, reach out and we can arrange that separately. The takeaway If you're marrying at 314, this package is built for exactly that weekend, not a general add-on menu you have to assemble yourself. It saves $500 over booking the same pieces individually, and it means Friday and Saturday work together instead of as two separate bookings. Ready to see it in person? Schedule a tour .

314 Isn't Just for Weddings

By Ashley Kimble • August 12, 2026

314 Isn't Just for Weddings Most people find us looking for a wedding venue, and that's most of what we do. But the same space, the barn, the grounds, is also set up for showers, birthdays, graduation parties, rehearsal dinners, and corporate events. If you've been picturing 314 as wedding-only, here's what else it's built for. What's included, every time Every event package comes with exclusive use of the 3,500 square foot interior, the covered outdoor barn structure and grounds, seating for up to 120 at round tables, two private restrooms, on-site parking, and an open vendor policy. Nothing extra to negotiate, it's built in. Four packages, whatever the occasion Each package is a flat rate for a six-hour block: Weekend Brunch & Daytime (Saturday-Sunday, 10 AM-4 PM): $700 Weekend Evening Celebration (Friday-Sunday, 5 PM-11 PM): $900 Weekday Daytime (Monday-Thursday, 10 AM-4 PM): $400 Weekday Evening (Monday-Thursday, 5 PM-11 PM): $600 The weekday rates in particular tend to surprise people, a full evening at 314 Exchange on a Tuesday costs a fraction of a weekend date, and the space is exactly the same. What this actually looks like We've hosted graduation parties, bridal and baby showers, and rehearsal dinners in this same space, not scaled-down versions of a wedding setup, but events built around what that occasion actually needs. Bring your own food vendor, decorate it your way, and add a bar package if desired (something we handle in-house for you). Want to see the space for yourself? Browse our full photo gallery . The takeaway If your event isn't a wedding, you're not priced or treated like an afterthought here, there's a package built for it. Full pricing and details are on our Event Packages page . Ready to see it in person? Schedule a tour .

One Less Vendor to Book: Table Linens Are Now In-House

By Ashley Kimble • July 18, 2026

One Less Vendor to Book: Table Linens Are Now In-House We just added table linens to our rental list. $20 per table, available in black or ivory, sized to fit our 60 inch round tables and our 6 ft and 8 ft rectangle tables. If you were planning to source linens through an outside rental company, you can cross that vendor off your list. What's Included Every linen fits the tables already in your rental, so there's no measuring or guessing sizes. Choose black or ivory for each table, mix them if you want contrast between your head table and guest tables, and let us know your count and colors ahead of your event. Why It's Worth Adding Outside linen rentals mean a separate contract, a separate delivery window, and someone tracking pickup after your event. Adding linens through 314 means one fewer vendor to coordinate and one fewer delivery to plan around on the day itself. It's a small add-on, but it's one less thing on your list. How to Add It Add linens on your Services Selection form if your wedding is already booked, or ask about it on your tour and we'll build it into your quote on the spot. Pricing is $20 per table , and you can see the full add-on list on our Services & Rentals page. Ready to see what else rounds out your day? Visit our Services & Rentals page or schedule a tour to walk through it in person.

Why Mid-Summer Is the Best Time to Tour 314

By Ashley Kimble • July 11, 2026

Why Mid-Summer Is the Best Time to Tour 314 The grounds are at their fullest right now, green, in bloom, and exactly what most couples picture when they imagine their wedding day. If you're deciding when to come see the venue in person, this is the season that shows it off best. The outdoor space, in season The gazebo and lawn are where most ceremonies happen at 314, and mid-summer is when that space looks the way it does in every photo you've been saving to a Pinterest board. Full trees, green grass, natural light that lasts well into the evening. Touring in person this time of year means you're seeing the actual backdrop, not an off-season version of it. Picture your own reception outdoors Whether your date lands in fall, spring, or another summer, walking the grounds while they're in full bloom makes it easier to picture your own setup: where the welcome table goes, where guests gather before the ceremony, how the light moves across the lawn as the evening goes on. Want to see it before you visit? Browse our full photo gallery . The takeaway You don't have to be getting married this summer to tour this summer. Most of the couples touring right now are booking dates well into 2027 and 2028, they're just choosing to see the venue while it's at its best. Ready to see it in person? Schedule a tour .

Touring This Summer? Here's Why Your Date Won't Wait

By Ashley Kimble • July 10, 2026

Touring This Summer? Here's Why Your Date Won't Wait Right now, in the middle of summer, we're booking weddings and events across an unusually wide window: fall 2026, all of 2027, and into spring 2028. If you toured this month and you're still deciding, here's the one thing worth understanding before you wait. Your date is the deadline, not the price Our rental rates don't move based on when you sign. A Saturday in October 2027 costs the same whether you book it in July or in December, the rate is tied to the event date, not your booking date. So waiting doesn't cost you money on the date you already have your eye on. It can cost you the date itself. We only have one Saturday in any given month, one specific weekend in the season you're picturing. With events already on the books close to two years out, the dates people want most, particular Saturdays, holiday weekends, peak-season weekends, go first. If you're set on a date or a narrow window, that's the actual constraint you're working against. What does change: which year you land in Rental pricing is set by event year, not booking date: Friday: $2,750 + tax for 2026-2027, $2,995 + tax for 2028 Saturday: $2,995 + tax for 2026-2027, $3,600 + tax for 2028 Sunday: $2,200 + tax for 2026-2027, $2,200 + tax for 2028 If you're flexible between a 2027 date and a 2028 date, that's worth knowing. But if your heart is set on a specific spring 2028 weekend, the math isn't "book now for a discount," it's "book now so that weekend is still open when you're ready to sign." The takeaway If you have a date in mind: tour, decide, and lock it in. The price on that date isn't going anywhere, but the date itself might. If you're flexible on year and want to compare 2027 versus 2028 pricing, reach out and we'll walk you through it. Ready to see it in person? Schedule a tour .