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Wedding Rehearsal Dinner Ideas

The wedding rehearsal dinner is an opportunity to share some informal time with your family, wedding party, and each other. It's a great time to let the most important people who will be at your wedding get to know each other, if they haven't had the chance before, and for you to unwind after all the months of preparation before the big day.

Rehearsal dinner etiquette used to dictate that the groom's family hosted the dinner, but as weddings have become more personalized, so has the decision about the rehearsal dinner.

If your future in-laws want to host the rehearsal dinner - by all means, thank them and let them take this one piece of wedding planning off your shoulders. But if for any reason they are unable to, or it doesn't fit into how your wedding is working, then the rehearsal dinner can be an opportunity for you to throw a more casual party for your nearest and dearest.

The rehearsal dinner is a great time to share stories and memories and laughs. There are no hard and fast rules about what makes a great rehearsal dinner, so let your imagination run free when you consider you options.

Formal Rehearsal Dinner Ideas

If your wedding and personal style demand a fabulous and somewhat formal rehearsal dinner, here are some ideas you might consider.

Rehearsal Dinner at a Great Restaurant

There are tons of fabulous restaurants to choose from in any city, and Westchester's proximity to New York City's nearly limitless choices of restaurants can make it a daunting task just to pick one!

If you want to stay close to home, consider some of Westchester's fabulous gourmet restaurants, such as the Equus Restaurant at The Castle at Tarrytown.

Rehearsal Dinner and a Show

A dinner theater is a great place to enjoy good food and terrific entertainment. The Westchester Broadway Theater in Elmsford, NY offers discounts on blocks of 20+ tickets.

For a more intimate gathering, they offer luxury boxes for 6 - 22 people, so your rehearsal dinner party can enjoy privacy, great seats, and all be seated at together at one table. A curtain allows privacy at the touch of a button, and when opened, gives you and your guests a panoramic view of the theatre and stage.

Table table appointments feature china, crystal, and fresh flowers, and your party will have a personal wait staff, your own coat room and powder room, special reserved parking. The theater can provide a special cakes and room decorations if desired.

Unique Rehearsal Dinner Ideas

If you'd prefer to let your hair down and have a more casual (and possibly relaxing) rehearsal dinner, here are some unique ideas:

• Beach Party Clambake Rehearsal Dinner - consider Osceola Manor and Picnic Grounds in Jefferson Valley, NY.
  
• Japanese Hibachi Rehearsal Dinner - fun, relaxing, entertaining and great food! If White Plains is a convenient destination, look into Noda's Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar (200 Hamilton Avenue, White Plains, NY, Phone: 914-949-0990). Call in advance for reservations, and we suggest you ask for Mr. Noda himself to be your chef - he'll be sure to delight you with his amazing culinary skills and delightful sense of humor. We personally recommend the shrimp hibachi for seafood lovers, we've never been disappointed. (See more info on Noda's at Restaurant Row)
  
• Amusement Park Rehearsal "Dinner" - if grabbing hot dogs on the boardwalk and taking a whirl on a romantic carousel sound like fun, the whole rehearsal party can wind down at Rye Playland. Be sure to check their site for seasonal hours. And for the more adventurous among your rehearsal party, the Dragon Coaster offers plenty of thrills.