The Complete Guide to Rehearsal Dinner Invitation Wording

Before saying "I do" to your partner, you'll want to rehearse your nuptials with your wedding party. And after practicing your walk down the aisle, you may opt to kick off the weekend's festivities by attending your rehearsal dinner. Regardless of whether you're hosting the affair, you'll likely participate in determining the guest list, and, as a result, the rehearsal dinner invitation wording. “A rehearsal dinner is a perfect way to invite nearest and dearest family, best friends, and your wedding party to an intimate gathering, where toasts and conversation flow and pre-wedding jitters disappear,” says Tasha Newland, a former wedding industry coach. “A dinner or party like this allows everyone attending to relax into your perfect wedding celebration.”

To get the word out about this pre-wedding soirée (and guarantee that your guests will actually show up!), you’ll need to send out invitations, which include every important detail, from the location to the dress code. As you begin crafting these pieces of stationery, it’s important to word them properly, so the message is as effective as possible. If you’re unsure what to say and how to say it, we’ve tapped a few industry experts, who share their top tips on composing your invites.

Read on for everything you need to know about proper rehearsal dinner invitation wording.

The Best Type of Rehearsal Dinner Invitations: Paper vs. Digital

Traditionally, couples mail paper invitations when inviting guests to their rehearsal dinner. That being said, there's nothing wrong with notifying your loved ones through a digital invite. If printed ones aren't in your budget or if many of your guests will be traveling from out of town, a digital invite may be a more appropriate and accessible option. Digital invitations also make sense if only a select few made the guest list, says Rebecca Lang, a master certified wedding planner and the owner of L3 Events, a wedding and event planning firm. Ultimately, talk to your wedding planner about the best option for you and your event.

Proper Rehearsal Dinner Invitation Wording

To nail the wording of your rehearsal dinner invitations, you’ll need to make sure that you’ve compiled all of the right components. Here's what Lang recommends including on the invitation:

• The couple's names
• The host's name (if applicable)
• The date
• The time
• The location
• The dress code
• The type of dinner
• How to RSVP
  

Rehearsal Dinner Invitation Wording Tips

Once you're ready to put pen to paper, here are some of the top wording tips to keep in mind, according to the experts.

Keep It Simple

Instead of using flowery language and composing long paragraphs, keep the wording on your rehearsal dinner invitations as clear and concise as possible. By using obscure terminology and elaborate sentences, important details, such as the time and place of your gathering, will only get lost in the shuffle, which will defeat the very reason you sent out these paper goods in the first place. However, this doesn't mean that you have to skimp on creativity. "Use simple, easy, and informal information," Newland says. "The invitations I love the most have personality, joy, and an unceremonious nature to them."

Determine the Tone

When it comes to your rehearsal dinner invitations, figuring out the right tone is crucial. Remember that the wording you use should match the level of formality of the event. Since these pre-wedding affairs tend to be more informal gatherings, the pieces of stationery will evoke a more casual voice than the one you use for your wedding invitations.

Add Language About RSVPs

Unlike wedding invitation RSVPs, which typically require that attendees fill out a paper card, invited parties can respond in a more informal manner to your rehearsal dinner invitation, whether through a phone call, a text message, or an email. In order for friends and family to RSVP correctly, include the designated person's contact information on the invite. However, make sure to still supplement the directions with an "RSVP by" date, so your loved ones have enough time to respond—and so you (or the hosts) have enough time to plan the event based on the expected group size.

Make Them Personal

The wording that you use on your rehearsal dinner invitations should reflect your unique relationship. In addition to all of the details above, you can also add a personal flair to the mix. Perhaps this is an excerpt from your favorite poem or a lyric from your first dance song. Including a little something special will make your paper goods even more memorable.

Consider a Unique Option

While paper and digital invitations are the most conventional pick, don't be afraid to explore other out-of-the-box options. If you have the bandwidth and the imagination, Newland suggests filming a video or creating a website. “What could be more 'you,' than your guests actually seeing your face and hearing your voice on your invitation?,” she asks.

Rehearsal Dinner Invitation Wording Examples

Looking for some inspiration? To help you compose your rehearsal dinner invitations like a wordsmith, here are some examples to consider.

Simple Rehearsal Dinner Invitation Wording

“Please join us for a rehearsal dinner honoring the union of Mr. and Mrs. Smith on Friday, March 4, at 7 p.m. at Il Forno Restaurant, 344 Main Street, San Diego, CA. RSVP to Daniel at [email address or phone number] by [date].”

Formal Rehearsal Dinner Invitation Wording

“Mr. and Mrs. Smith request your attendance at their rehearsal dinner on Friday, March 4, at 7 p.m. at Il Forno Restaurant, 344 Main Street, San Diego, CA. Kindly send all responses to Daniel at [email address or phone number] by [date].”

Romantic Rehearsal Dinner Invitation Wording

“The soon-to-be wedded Mr. and Mrs. Smith invite you to a celebration of their love on Friday, March 4, at 7 p.m. at Il Forno Restaurant, 344 Main Street, San Diego, CA. Send all rehearsal dinner RSVPs to Daniel at [email address or phone number] by [date].”

Creative Rehearsal Dinner Invitation Wording

“‘A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.’ – Mignon McLaughlin. Celebrate the love story of Mr. and Mrs. Smith on Friday, March 4, at 7 p.m. at Il Forno Restaurant, 344 Main Street, San Diego, CA. Send all rehearsal dinner RSVPs to Daniel at [email address or phone number] by [date].”

Fun Rehearsal Dinner Invitation Wording

“Before we say ‘I do’, we want to see you! Please join us for a rehearsal dinner honoring the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Smith on Friday, March 4, at 7 PM at Il Forno Restaurant, 344 Main Street, San Diego, CA. Send all RSVPs by email to Daniel at [email address or phone number] by [date].”

How to Send Rehearsal Dinner Invitations

Once you've written the text for your rehearsal dinner invitations, it's finally time to send them. Most couples will add them to their wedding invitation suite via an insert card. Since this pre-wedding function tends to be more intimate than the wedding itself, you’ll print and include inserts for just the loved ones you’ve invited to attend. However, if the guest list for your rehearsal dinner is pretty different from that of your wedding (for instance, children aren’t invited), you can also mail a separate invitation. 

How to Navigate Rehearsal Dinner Invitation RSVPs

After you've distributed these invites for your affair, the RSVPs will start to trickle in. If you're the one tracking the responses, Lang suggests using your wedding website, an online spreadsheet tracker, or a basic Excel spreadsheet to keep tabs on who will be coming.