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Post by 2peafaithful on Aug 17, 2014 23:19:08 GMT
My oldest ds is getting married next June! I know hard to imagine. They have been together for 5 years and will graduate from college that May and get married a couple weeks later.
The only challenge is they are getting married in a city about 30 mins from us. That isn't a challenge but the challenge is there is NOTHING near the wedding venue for a rehearsal dinner. So we would have to go downtown FW or back to the area we live in. Originally they had planned on getting married more in the downtown FW area but found a venue they loved and it is about 30 or so miles from downtown. Honestly on this side of town (close to where we live) there is a great option. We have a ton of places to eat but nothing we would want for a rehearsal dinner.
Last week we took the 2 of them out before they headed back for school and we went to a place in FW that is perfect for the rehearsal dinner. I need to call and set up a appt to view it and sit down with the planner. It is a great pick. Is 30-35 mins drive too far to leave the rehearsal and drive to dinner?
Any other tips, idea, BTDT from others that have been in charge of a rehearsal dinner? TIA
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 10, 2024 6:25:06 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 17, 2014 23:25:15 GMT
I don't think that is too far. We went about 20 miles which was about that drive. From our small town to a large boat on a lake.
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Post by freecharlie on Aug 17, 2014 23:27:05 GMT
I live 20 minutes from everything, so I wouldn't think it would be that big of a deal.
I would continue to look for something closer though. I don't think rehearsal dinners need to be scheduled 6 months in advance (of course that may be incorrect based on different locations)
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 10, 2024 6:25:06 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 17, 2014 23:32:35 GMT
My dd is getting married next month and she told me tonight that they're having a grilled cheese sandwich bar after the rehearsal dinner! LOL! Sounds fun to me. They're having someone grilling with different types of cheeses and toppings. But, pretty much everything they're doing is unconventional! Smore's Bar instead of cake, lemonade and coffee bar....lots of fun! So, I'm making hundreds of flavored marshmallows and thousands of paper poppies for decorations.
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Post by 950nancy on Aug 17, 2014 23:33:58 GMT
Is there any way to provide transportation for people? I am thinking about the people who might be drinking.
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Post by SockMonkey on Aug 17, 2014 23:42:25 GMT
Where might out of town guests attending the dinner be staying, or simply those attending? If you're driving back in the direction most people live or will stay that night, 30 minutes is a stretch, but not terrible. If it's a 30-35 minute drive to dinner and then another longer drive, then I might try to find a closer location.
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Post by 2peafaithful on Aug 17, 2014 23:44:03 GMT
Freecharlie-I have lived here 25 years so it isn't a lack of not knowing what is available there isn't anything decent in that area at all. I thought we could have it back this way because most of the people would be driving back this way to go home but our options aren't great. I will look at places outside of just this one place in FW and see about options close to home since people will be driving back this way. For some popular places I will need to schedule in advance due to it being June and a big wedding month and a Friday night. The place we found has a one room that works. We are going to go to dinner there soon so we can eat there. We had drinks there that night (the 4 of us) but we haven't eaten there. We have read reviews online and the bride to be loved it so much she said she wanted to get married there! LOL I was happy to find something they loved.
Pink Mochas-That sounds awesome! I thought about having it at our home but we don't have enough space. I have a few great catering options. Also in Texas in June outside very likely wouldn't be the most comfortable option. My ds eats very little meat and fiancee is a vegetarian so she would love the grilled cheese option.
950nancy-We won't be providing transportation. We aren't a big drinking bunch so not a concern.
Luvspaper-I love that! I wish we could go on a boat! That would be fun.
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Post by ~KellyAnn~ on Aug 18, 2014 6:04:30 GMT
My ds and his wife were married this May. This is something dd and I did for them at the rehearsal dinner, and they loved it. I looked for a bottle of champagne that didn't have a large, intrusive label. In other words, it wasn't expensive and might not even be the best tasting. I found one that was dark blueish purple that worked great. I picked up silver, gold and copper Sharpie markers. First I wrote "Happy 1st Wedding Anniversary Zack & Emma." Then during rehearsal at the church, I had their wedding attendants and family friends sign the bottle with best wishes. It was fun to furtively pass it around in the back of church in the brown bag! At the rehearsal dinner, dd made a little speech and presented the bottle to her brother and sil. She suggested they drink the bubbly on their first anniversary, remembering this special weekend full of love. It made a very nice keepsake and they were so surprised.
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Gravity
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,233
Jun 27, 2014 0:29:55 GMT
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Post by Gravity on Aug 18, 2014 6:34:48 GMT
I don't know if I would do something 30 minutes away with I-35 / 820 / 183 road construction hell in FW. That 30 minutes could easily turn into 2 hours. How many people would you be expecting? I can talk to my DD. She's a wedding photographer in DFW. She lives in north FW and may have some good ideas.
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cycworker
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,387
Jun 26, 2014 0:42:38 GMT
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Post by cycworker on Aug 18, 2014 6:48:11 GMT
I think it's too far, but I am not one to ask. I live in a place where you can get anywhere in 10 minutes. In half an hour, I'd be in a completely different city.
Mom & dad did bro & SIL's rehearsal dinner at home. I can't remember if she cooked or got it catered, but it was at the house. I want to say Dad roasted a pig on a spit, but I could well be wrong.
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caro
Drama Llama
Refupea 1130
Posts: 5,222
Jun 26, 2014 14:10:36 GMT
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Post by caro on Aug 18, 2014 13:04:48 GMT
We had DS1 rehearsal dinner about 30 mins away from the church. It didn't bother anyone. I really don 't think people care. The only thing we did was make sure the elderly grandparents had transportation and didn't do the driving themselves.
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Post by Kelpea on Aug 18, 2014 13:10:01 GMT
I think today's society has gone bonkers regarding weddings and the like. I love the previous poster's idea of letting her daughter choose her grilled cheese bar, lol. So original, and not too costly.
And it's also good to take the elderly guests into consideration.
Other than that, rehearsal dinners should be typically low-key; no muss so it's easier for everyone!
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anniebeth24
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,721
Jun 26, 2014 14:12:17 GMT
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Post by anniebeth24 on Aug 18, 2014 13:16:49 GMT
For most people, I don't think it would be too far. However, if you've got elderly relatives or young children (ringbearers/flowergirls) on the guest list, it might drag things out a bit late for their comfort. Have fun planning!
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Post by flanz on Aug 18, 2014 13:22:57 GMT
Is there any way to provide transportation for people? I am thinking about the people who might be drinking. I love this idea!
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Post by Anna*Banana on Aug 18, 2014 13:30:28 GMT
DS1 just got married, not 2 weeks ago. We were fortunate that the venue they married also catered their wedding. We had them also cater the rehearsal, right there at the venue. We had elderly, frail guests from out of town as well as the bride's grandparents, also physically challenged, and several of the attendants were from out of town. It made it so much easier. to just do it all right there. We chose to have a nice buffet at the rehearsal because it was a small group, including the out of towners; >30 people.
We asked the photographer to photograph the rehearsal too and that was really fun. The photos are really nice.
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Post by epeanymous on Aug 18, 2014 13:40:13 GMT
Thirty miles seems far to me for a rehearsal dinner. Particularly if it is (as the rehearsal dinners I have been to) to include out-of-town guests who do not know where they are going, Also, unless you are literally not serving alcohol, people who do not generally drink often (1) drink at formal events and (2) are worse about judging their consumption because they do not normally drink. If you are committed to this place, in light of both the distance and the drinking, I would seriously consider arranging transportation. We had a big, expensive Manhattan wedding, and we had our rehearsal dinner at a Chinese restaurant. It was fun and festive, and it was easy for our guests to get to. Personally, I think the venue isn't super important -- not to get all sappy about it, but the people and the sense of community are what make events like this, and I would see if I could use a closer location.
I think having an opportunity for people to speak after the dinner before or during dessert is nice, and designating a photograph-taker, if you do not hire a photographer, is a good idea. Otherwise, I personally prefer rehearsal dinners to be relaxed.
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eastcoastpea
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,252
Jun 27, 2014 13:05:28 GMT
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Post by eastcoastpea on Aug 18, 2014 14:09:25 GMT
My ds and his wife were married this May. This is something dd and I did for them at the rehearsal dinner, and they loved it. I looked for a bottle of champagne that didn't have a large, intrusive label. In other words, it wasn't expensive and might not even be the best tasting. I found one that was dark blueish purple that worked great. I picked up silver, gold and copper Sharpie markers. First I wrote "Happy 1st Wedding Anniversary Zack & Emma." Then during rehearsal at the church, I had their wedding attendants and family friends sign the bottle with best wishes. It was fun to furtively pass it around in the back of church in the brown bag! At the rehearsal dinner, dd made a little speech and presented the bottle to her brother and sil. She suggested they drink the bubbly on their first anniversary, remembering this special weekend full of love. It made a very nice keepsake and they were so surprised. What a cute idea.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 10, 2024 6:25:06 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 18, 2014 14:56:53 GMT
Does their actual wedding venue have a place where you could have the rehearsal dinner? We got married in a two-story barn and set up tables in the bottom floor of the barn (reception upstairs) and brought a catering company in. Is there a hotel that people are using near the venue? You may be able to have something there and either use the hotel's catering or have someone bring it in from off site.
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Post by sisterbdsq on Aug 18, 2014 14:59:52 GMT
I wouldn't even blink at a 30 min drive.
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Post by ~KellyAnn~ on Aug 18, 2014 18:49:05 GMT
Adding a snapshot of DS and DIL looking at their special champagne bottle.
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Post by Anne-Marie on Aug 18, 2014 19:14:27 GMT
Where might out of town guests attending the dinner be staying, or simply those attending? If you're driving back in the direction most people live or will stay that night, 30 minutes is a stretch, but not terrible. If it's a 30-35 minute drive to dinner and then another longer drive, then I might try to find a closer location. This is what I was thinking . . . if all or most of the wedding party and people that will be attending the rehearsal dinner are staying close to the place the actual dinner will be held I would say that the 30 minute drive is not a concern because they'll all be heading back that way anyway. But if many people are staying close to the wedding venue itself the 30 - 35 minute drive will turn into 60 - 70 minutes round trip and I think that makes a difference.
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Post by mikklynn on Aug 18, 2014 20:09:03 GMT
DS got married at a golf course. We had them cater a BBQ style buffet on the patio for the rehearsal dinner. It was lovely and not nearly as expensive as you might think. No one had to drive anywhere.
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Post by 2peafaithful on Aug 19, 2014 21:07:55 GMT
Kelly-That is a cute idea.
Good idea on the older guest Kelpea. We have probably 4 and they would be riding with their kids. Sadly I have no living grandparents and my mom is young and gets around great. My sons fiancee does have a grandparents living and I will ask about transportation for them.
Graviity- Construction! You aren't kidding. We are surrounded by it. Thank you for your mail. I just responded! Sorry it took me so long. I didn't see it until today.
The wedding party wouldn't be staying near the wedding venue. Basically the wedding venue is near nothing. Us, our kids, my ex, her parents and family all live in the same general area and the wedding venue is out a ways but kind of in the middle of now where. That is why there isn't an option for having the rehearsal dinner in that area. The bride and groom said they wanted to have it in FW. They wanted to get married in FW but for budget reasons felt like this venue was a better match.
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georgiapea
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,846
Jun 27, 2014 18:02:10 GMT
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Post by georgiapea on Aug 19, 2014 21:18:02 GMT
I feel if the bride to be likes the place you ate at, that would cinch it for me.
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Post by gracieplusthree on Aug 20, 2014 9:49:44 GMT
My dd is getting married in late May and we are doing a baked potato bar for her rehearsal dinner. Probably at the wedding site,but possibly here at our house(about 8miles from venue),the girls will be staying here in the days before the wedding
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Weaselwise
Shy Member
Posts: 34
Jun 26, 2014 11:20:22 GMT
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Post by Weaselwise on Aug 20, 2014 11:21:33 GMT
OK, UK Pea-brained question here - but what is a rehearsal dinner please? I'm confused lol...
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Post by Darcy Collins on Aug 20, 2014 12:55:31 GMT
OK, UK Pea-brained question here - but what is a rehearsal dinner please? I'm confused lol... Typically in the US, there is a rehearsal the night before the wedding for those participating in the ceremony. People hear their cues, figure out where to stand, etc. After the rehearsal, the groom's parents traditionally host a dinner for those participating (in some cases out of town guests are also invited).
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ginacivey
Pearl Clutcher
refupea #2 in southeast missouri
Posts: 4,685
Jun 25, 2014 19:18:36 GMT
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Post by ginacivey on Aug 20, 2014 13:41:27 GMT
you live in an area near fort worth? and you can't find a suitable place close to the venue i just have a hard time believing that
i live in the middle of friggin nowhere...and we've had plenty of rehersals/dinners without having to travel for half and hour
maybe...try a little harder ... or change your expectations
gina
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MerryMom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,562
Jul 24, 2014 19:51:57 GMT
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Post by MerryMom on Aug 20, 2014 14:20:41 GMT
I won't be of much help with tips nor ideas because we had a cook-out at my dad's house for our rehearsal dinner. It was 20 minutes away from the church. As long as you aren't facing any rush hour traffic in a large city, I don't think that is too far of a drive.
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Post by cropduster on Aug 20, 2014 14:31:45 GMT
One SIL had the rehearsal dinner at the restaurant where the bride and groom had their first date. Another SIL had the rehearsal dinner at home. She had it catered though and it was lovely. Good luck and best wishes for your DS and bride!
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