More Couples Are Skipping Traditional Rehearsals In Favor of Welcome Dinners for their 2025 weddings. But what about the rehearsal? Those are being done the day-of the wedding. We recently spoke with Emma of Taryn Blake Events , a preferred vendor here at Pennsylvania Weddings to share the 2025 wedding trends they’re seeing right now and dropping the rehearsal from dinner is picking up speed among couples.
You might be wondering why 2025 when we’ve only just entered 2024. That’s because a majority of the couples who just became engaged are planning 2025 weddings. Already securing their venues, planners and photographers. And if they want to hop on this trend, it’s better to know now than later!
So why are couples opting for welcome dinners over the traditional rehearsals? And does it even make sense? (hint! it totally does!) Let’s take a look-
Most standard/larger wedding venues are booking weddings for both Friday and Saturday. Many even have Sundays full, if not for weddings, smaller events. This makes it difficult to schedule a rehearsal the day in advance of your wedding – and if you can, it usually ends up being an odd time (like 10am) in order not to interfere with another couple’s wedding or event.
Having an entire wedding party try to coordinate their schedules for a 10 am or wednesday evening rehearsal simply leads to a whole lot of stress and anxiety inducing logistics for the everyone. Especially for out of town guests arriving. Even more so if this wasn’t something the guest was anticipating, leading to more time off requests and updating travel arrangements. When you can allow guests to arrive and check in without the rush, it ensures everyone is happy (and on time!) for the dinner.
Hosting a welcome dinner allows for a more intimate time with your wedding party and VIPS. You’re not tied to time constraints at the venue so you can choose to host your dinner at your favorite spot the night before. It also provides the opportunity to invite any of your other out of town guests to have dinner and unwind after a day of travel. An extra special touch that will go a long way in thanking your guests.
If you’re feeling a little nervous about the idea of a day-of rehearsal, don’t be! Over the past 2 years, Emma tells us that the team at Taryn Blake Events has facilitated over 80 day-of rehearsals. In fact, it seems to run much smoother than pre-wedding day rehearsals. “Rehearsals in advance are often rushed (due to reasons above), have missing people, or lack of attention as everyone wants to catch up and converse.” says Emma. As far as how to rehearse on the wedding day? “Partners can rehearse together or separately, and it’s given its own time block to not take away from beauty services or photo time. All of our couples have given positive feedback on rehearsing day-of!” she adds. Hearing this, it seems like opting for a day-of rehearsal not only ensures things run smooth but everyone will be there and the order of events will be fresh on everyone’s mind when it’s showtime.
If you ask us, a welcome dinner with a day-of rehearsal doesn’t sound bad, in fact it sounds much better! Of course that’s just our humble opinion and it may not be the best option for your wedding. But the good news is, if you’re planning a 2025 wedding or if you haven’t planned your rehearsal for your wedding this year, it’s another alternative to explore!
Planning a 2025 wedding? Let us know which rehearsal style you’ll be doing.
