The rehearsal dinner is a treasured tradition that kicks off the wedding weekend festivities. It's a chance for the two families to come together, share stories, and celebrate the soon-to-be newlyweds before their big day. While the rehearsal dinner was once a casual affair, many couples are now putting their personal stamp on this pre-wedding event with a carefully chosen theme.

What is a Themed Rehearsal Dinner?

A themed rehearsal dinner is exactly what it sounds like—it's when the couple chooses a unifying theme and incorporates it throughout the decor, food, drinks, and overall ambiance of the pre-wedding celebration.

Popular themes for a rehearsal dinner run the gamut from travel-inspired fiestas paying homage to a favorite destination, to representations of the couple's cherished hobbies or interests like sports, books, movies, or games.

Growing Trend

Incorporating a theme into the rehearsal dinner has become an increasingly popular trend as couples look to put their own unique spin on wedding celebrations.

The rehearsal dinner offers the perfect opportunity to get creative and have fun with a theme in a more relaxed, intimate setting before the bigger main event of the wedding day itself.

There are a few reasons why themed rehearsals have taken off.

Personal Touch

Incorporating a theme into the rehearsal dinner allows the couple to infuse more personal touches and share a piece of who they are with friends and family. The rehearsal dinner typically has a smaller guest list than the full wedding reception, so it's a great way for your nearest and dearest to glimpse your personalities through the theme.

Social Media's Influence

Themed parties and celebrations have become hugely popular in general as social media has normalized "event decor" and given people inspiration for creative ideas.

Increased Flexibility

With so many couples foregoing traditional wedding packages, they have more flexibility to customize the rehearsal dinner however they'd like at a separate offsite location.

Part of the Fun

A theme at the rehearsal dinner builds anticipation and excitement for the wedding day as guests get a sneak peek into the couple's shared interests and styles.

Pros and Cons of a Themed Dinner

Like any wedding decision, incorporating a theme into your rehearsal dinner comes with some pros and cons to weigh.

Pros

-It's a fun way to infuse more personal style and get guests hyped for the wedding celebrations.

-You can spotlight your love story, interests, culture, or heritage in a creative way.

-Themed food/drinks and decor make the meal and the night more memorable and Instagrammable.

It helps break the ice if you're combining your immediate family members and friends from different circles.

Cons

-Theming all elements from start to finish requires more effort in planning and execution.

-You run the risk of the theme coming across as cheesy or overdone if not executed well.

-No matter how "on theme" you make it, the dinner is still primarily about your wedding ceremony rehearsal.

-Themed rehearsal dinner decor, rehearsal dinner invitations, rentals, and catering will increase your expenses.

Tips for Choosing and Executing Your Theme

If you've decided a theme is the way to go for your rehearsal dinner, here are some tips for making sure it's a smash hit.

Start with what resonates with you and your partner. Your shared interests, backgrounds, or love story can serve as inspiration. Or think of a favorite movie, book, travel spot, or shared pastime you're both passionate about.

As you consider your possibilities, think about how you can incorporate the theme through all five senses—what it will look, taste, smell, sound and feel like. The more thoroughly you link all elements, the more impactful it will be.

Remember that subtlety is key—a few thoughtful nods to your theme go a long way. You don't want to go overboard and have it look like a children's birthday party.

You might want to consider your wedding festivities' theme as you research potential locations for your rehearsal dinner. Choose a venue that either aligns with your theme or can be easily transformed.

And, of course, you'll need to consider the costs of executing a theme at your rehearsal dinner. One strategy that will help you reign in excessive spending would be to prioritize and allocate a portion of your budget towards the theme areas that matter most to you both instead of splurging across the board.

We also encourage you to loop in your parents, immediate family members, and members of your wedding party early so they can provide theme inspiration and assistance. You'll need all hands on deck.

Inspiration: Rehearsal Dinner Themes

Now for the fun part: theme ideas to spark your imagination. Here are some possibilities.

Travel/Destination

-Transform your rehearsal dinner into a Mexican fiesta with colorful tablescapes, mariachi, street tacos, and margaritas.

-For a Tuscan vineyard theme, offer Chianti wine paired with regional cuisine like fresh pasta and provincial decor like terracotta.

-Host a tropical Hawaiian luau with flower garlands and grass hula skirts on chairs, fire dancers, and even a roasted pig.

-Another option is an around-the-world cuisine sampling. Create a "Love on Tour" setup with distinct areas for drinks/appetizers/desserts from places you've traveled together

Eras

-Create a Roaring 20s speakeasy setting for your rehearsal dinner. Provide disposable flasks for cocktails, and if you want to go all out, hire (or enlist) Charleston dancers.

-Another fun option is to go with a 1950s diner theme complete with neon signs, jukebox, milkshakes, and burgers.

Hobbies

-You and your wedding rehearsal dinner guests can relax together in a book lovers' literary lounge with plenty of books and cozy reading nook vibes.

-Try a golf clubhouse theme with plaid decor and club-themed cuisine like hotdogs and beer. Your decor could include a putting green.

-Or, create a gaming paradise filled with classic arcade games, Pac-Man decor, and pixelated foods.

Themed Rehearsal Brunch

While dinner is the traditional rehearsal event, many couples are putting a fresh spin on things by hosting a themed rehearsal brunch instead.

A morning or mid-day brunch celebrates the upcoming nuptials in a bright, cheerful way and can be more conducive to schedules. It also opens up new and creative theme possibilities.

Parisian Patisserie Brunch

Transport guests to a chic Parisian cafe with aesthetic touches like sculptural bread displays, mini antique birdcages, floral prints and lace accents.

Garden Party Brunch

An outdoor garden setting naturally lends itself to a whimsical, tea party-esque brunch theme. Decorate with lush florals and greenery, mismatched vintage china, delicate lace accents and an array of petite savory and sweet bites.

Breakfast Around the World

For the couple that loves to travel, celebrate different morning cuisine traditions from various cultures. Have distinct food stations for things like Mediterranean mezze, Mexican chilaquiles, Belgian waffles or liege waffles.

No matter if you choose a wedding rehearsal dinner or a brunch, injecting a fun, personalized theme allows you to creatively fete your upcoming marriage in a way that is uniquely "you" as a couple.

More Wedding Rehearsal Dinner Ideas

More possibilities to consider for your rehearsal dinner include:

-Vintage car photo area: Create a vintage car photo area for guests to take fun and memorable pictures.

-Rustic farm tablescape: Dine around one long farm table for a cozy and intimate feel at a rustic rehearsal dinner.

-Elevated Western rehearsal dinner: Incorporate wood tables, chairs, and string lights with pastel blue table runners and goblets.

-Italian/lemon rehearsal dinner: Honor your Italian heritage with an Amalfi Coast-themed dinner, featuring lemons as decor, olive oil place cards, and gelato for dessert.

-Coastal rehearsal dinner: Create a beachy, coastal vibe with neutral colors, botanicals, and decorative oysters.

-Desert rehearsal dinner: Embrace the beauty of the desert with cacti, succulents, and earthy tones.

-Romantic Italian rehearsal dinner: Create a romantic atmosphere with family-style dishes, Frank Sinatra music, and limoncello.

Honestly, the list of wedding rehearsal dinner ideas is endless.

The key is choosing a theme that excites you as a couple and running with it through personal, thoughtful touches.

At the end of the day, your theme should be a fun way to celebrate your love story with your loved ones and those closest to you before the wedding.

The Bell Tower on 34th, an elegant Houston wedding venue with a chapel on site, is committed to helping recently engaged couples realize their wedding vision.

Our Instagrammable venue near The Woodlands, TX, is a beautiful site known for beautiful gardens, a sweeping staircase, and our stunning waterwall.

Contact us to learn how we can help you create an unforgettable event.

The Bell Tower on 34th

901 W 34th St, Houston, TX 77018

(713) 868-2355