How to Cut Down on Expensive Rehearsal Dinners
One tradition that most families seem reluctant to let go
off is the rehearsal dinner that is usually held after the wedding rehearsal. Family and friends come together after all their hard efforts on behalf of the happy couple and the dinner is a way of thanking people.
There is no hard and fast rule about how the dinner should be held; it is entirely up to the couple to decide whether they want a small intimate affair or an elaborate catered meal. Depending on what you choose you can quite easily end up spending a few thousand dollars, money that you really cannot afford when planning for your wedding. You would be wise to consider some of the following ideas on how to cut down on the cost of the rehearsal dinner.
If you are not open to any suggestions other than a proper sit down meal in a restaurant you can go with a set menu. Most restaurants are quite happy to oblige by giving you a good discount on a set menu. You will probably be charged per head and the guests will have a few select choices. A definitely better option that going for the a la carte menu which can cost a bomb.
Have a barbeque in your backyard and save a packet. If your wedding is planned for when the weather is fine you will have no problems. Set up the backyard with insect repellent candles in fancy holders and dish up a lot of grills and salads, make sure There's plenty of cold beer on hand to wash it all down. This will lend a certain gaiety to the atmosphere as everyone relaxes after all their hard efforts.
There are many outlets which will provide you low cost catering, you can have the dinner at your home or again outdoors weather permitting. Restaurants will bring and serve a selection of dishes that will not cost the earth. There are also catering agencies that do very reasonably priced meals that they will home deliver.
One of the cheapest of all rehearsal dinners is to have a pot luck dinner and this suits people with a very limited budget right down to the ground. When couples are footing the entire bill for the wedding out of their own pockets with no help from anyone, they need every penny they have. With a pot luck dinner, each one brings a dish or dessert and there is sharing and unity to be experienced.
Whatever you choose to do, no one knows your financial situation better than you do and you have to be sensible about your spending. Family and friends will understand and so long as there is a rehearsal dinner and some drinks everyone is sure to have a good time.