A Beachy California Rehearsal Dinner + Tips To Throw the Best Rehearsal Dinner Ever.

I’m so excited to share the wedding of Tyler + Casey from this summer with you all because they are two of the greatest people + clients I’ve ever had the honor of working with for their big day. I’m doing a TWO part blog for their wedding weekend because it was that amazing and we had so much fun helping to design it all. First up, I’m sharing a look inside their casual and beachy, California-cool rehearsal dinner. 

Tyler + Casey wanted the rehearsal dinner to feel like a small gathering in their backyard but keep that cool Cali vibe, so they chose an outdoor space at Calamigos Ranch.  Few things say California like Malibu! We rented long farm tables and added simple bud vases with greenery. Every place setting had a custom wooden name piece, and it was such a sweet and fun touch for guests that they could take home. To add a relaxing Cali vibe, we used rattan elements with simple monstera leaf accents. We punched up the outdoors with a lounge featuring a deep orange couch, and it just made the entire space feel inviting. 

I had so much fun helping Tyler + Casey that I wanted to share 4 tips to planning your rehearsal dinner! Whether it’s a welcome party or even a post-wedding brunch, these tips will elevate your wedding weekend. Check them out below! And be sure to stay tuned for part II of Tyler + Casey’s wedding day – you won’t want to miss it! 

Tip 1: Choose A Venue That Speaks To You As A Couple

When deciding where to host your rehearsal dinner, think of somewhere special to you and your partner. Maybe it’s a place you two had a date, or your wedding venue might have space for your rehearsal dinner. You can even choose a restaurant with your favorite type of food. I love that for Tyler + Casey’s rehearsal dinner, they served pizza! Because it was fresh from the stone fire ovens at Calamigos, it was an elevated experience (and honestly, who doesn’t love pizza?). For more wedding pizza inspiration, check out this desert wedding at Tumbleweed Sanctuary. 

Tip 2: Add Speeches To Your Rehearsal Dinner 

Have a lot of people that want to give a toast at the wedding? Ask some of them to speak at the rehearsal dinner instead. This is especially great for any friends or family that aren’t super comfortable with public speaking, since it’s generally a smaller group at the rehearsal dinner. Having some speeches at the rehearsal dinner saves time at the wedding but still gives friends and family a spotlight to express their love. 

Tip 3: Repurpose Your Décor

The rehearsal dinner is a great way to introduce guests to the theme and vibe of the wedding. If you’re looking to save on budget, think of recycling some of your décor. A bar sign could easily be repurposed at the wedding, or you can save your centerpieces for the post-wedding brunch! There are multiple ways you and your vendors can get creative about the decorations to save you on time and money. 

Tip 4: Invite All Your Guests

Ready to start planning your rehearsal dinner but not sure who to invite? I answer that question and more in this post about wedding etiquette. Often times, clients will host a more intimate dinner with their immediate family and wedding party and then invite all their guests to join them for a drink after dinner. Especially if most of your guests are traveling from out of town, it’s nice to kick off the weekend and gives them something to do. It also gives you more time to mingle with your guests and have conversations with everyone that you might not get a ton of time to talk to on the day of your wedding. No need to go all out, people love something casual and fun to kick of the weekend just right. 

If you’re eager to get started, contact me on my homepage here and let’s plan it together!

Vendors: 

Planner/Designer: Feathered Arrow Studio

Venue: Calamigos Ranch

Photographer: Dear Lovers

Videographer: Happy Camper Films

Rentals: Found Rentals + Casa De Perrin + Borrowed Blu

Signage/Calligraphy: With Love She Wrote