What Brides Should Wear to the Rehearsal Dinner – Ultimate Guide
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Rehearsal dinners are kind of like the Wild West.
There are no hard rules, with an array of rehearsal dinners ranging from backyard picnics to exclusive fine dining experiences, and there are no guidelines around rehearsal dinner outfits for the bride.
With all the busyness that comes a few days before the wedding, communication about the rehearsal dinner dress code is thrown on the back burner.
By sticking to a few general guidelines, you can pick the best dress code for your rehearsal dinner and find an outfit that compliments it perfectly.
What happens at a rehearsal dinner, anyway?
Rehearsal dinners take place after a dry run of the wedding, or in other words, the rehearsal.
Depending on the ceremony venue, rehearsals may or may not be necessary. Typically, religious ceremonies have rehearsals to ensure the faith leader, couple, and other participants are on the same page.
Rehearsals take place one or two days before the wedding. At this time, all key wedding party members have traveled to the location and can participate.
After the rehearsal, key wedding party members and the people who are a part of the rehearsal attend a rehearsal dinner. At this dinner, it’s common for loved ones to make toasts, lots of pictures are taken, and everyone connects before the wedding begins.
Rehearsal dinners do a great job of setting the tone for the rest of the wedding – which is why dress code and what the couple wears plays a key role.
What’s the typical rehearsal dinner dress code?
While rehearsal dinners are usually seen as fancier affairs, the dress code is completely up to you.
Typically, the dress code will match the wedding ceremony venue – but just a touch scaled down. At the wedding, everyone will be dressed in their best. For the rehearsal, the clothing they wear is not out of place for the venue but doesn’t upstage the outfits for the actual ceremony.
You’ll want to choose a rehearsal dinner venue where everyone’s attire would not seem out of place. With everyone taking pictures and making toasts, you’ll want something more upscale and, if possible, a private room.
Ranges in dress code for the rehearsal dinner, from casual to black tie, are very normal. However, it’s critical that all attendees are on the same page – there’s nothing worse than coming to a formal event underdressed. Make sure that when you decide on the dress code, it’s communicated to everyone attending the dinner.
As the bride, you’ll want to dress a step up from the dress code everyone else will abide by. There will be lots of pictures being taken and eyes on you throughout the night – dress for the occasion!
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There are no universal rehearsal dinner dress code rules for the bride
While there are some general rules of thumb, like dressing nicely and choosing an appropriate restaurant for this occasion, there are no universal rules for the rehearsal dinner.
Overall, wear something you feel confident and happy in. This energy will shine throughout the event and allow you to connect with the people who are important to you.
Brides across the board report dressing in something that makes them feel good – rather than sticking to “rules” that the bride must wear a white dress.
Stick to lighter, breathable fabrics
A heavy, formal outfit makes sense for your wedding day and is part of the wedding deal. This isn’t the case for your rehearsal dinner – you can choose fabrics that work with you and your season.
At your rehearsal dinner, there’s tons of hugging, pictures, speeches, and, generally, a lot of movement. Lighter, more breathable fabrics make more sense for the event as a whole. Make sure that the fabric you choose is seasonally appropriate, too.
Fabric weight says a lot about the fanciness of the outfit. Heavier fabrics, like velvets or heavy cotton, make for formal attire, whereas light, breathable fabrics are more casual.
Incorporate fun colors and styles
As the bride, you already know what you’ll wear to your wedding.
Take the less serious rehearsal dinner as an opportunity to wear a fun color or style that expresses your personality.
While white is still the most common color a bride wears to their rehearsal dinner, pops of color are more than appropriate. Plus, they add fun to the affair and show off your personality.
Incorporating color that coordinates with what your partner is wearing is fun, too. Just think of the fun, behind-the-scenes photo ops with color-coordinated outfits.
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Keep your rehearsal dinner outfit for the bride affordable
As you approach your wedding date, the budget only gets tighter.
Looking and feeling great at your rehearsal dinner is important. However, it’s worth noting that relatively cheap outfits can get the job done.
Renting wedding clothes has become more mainstream as people realize they won’t have another opportunity to wear their carefully curated outfits.
If renting isn’t for you, at the very least, pick an outfit for your rehearsal dinner that would work at another formal event. Unlike your wedding dress, your rehearsal dinner outfit can be repurposed at formal events throughout your life.
Casual Rehearsal Dinner Outfits for the Bride
Semi-Formal Rehearsal Dinner Outfits for the Bride
Formal Rehearsal Dinner Outfits for the Bride
What to Wear to a Rehearsal Dinner as the Bride
Sure, there are no hard rules when it comes to the bride’s dress code at their rehearsal dinner. However, it is helpful to have some idea of what to wear.
Set the event’s tone – casual, semi-formal, or formal – and communicate this dress code to all attendees.
From there, pick an outfit that makes you feel good. Don’t shy away from bold colors or fun styles if you’d like a little flair. What you choose should make you feel confident inside and out. This energy will shine through in your pictures and make for lasting memories.
