What to Write on a Rehearsal Dinner Invitation (+ Wording Examples)
What Goes on a Rehearsal Dinner Invitation?
The rehearsal dinner is your first big wedding event — the intimate gathering the night before the ceremony where the wedding party, close family, and out-of-town guests come together to celebrate and run through the ceremony. Getting the invitation wording right sets the tone for the whole evening.
Here's everything a rehearsal dinner invitation should include:
- Host line — Who is hosting? (Traditionally the groom's parents, but this varies widely today.)
- Event name — "Rehearsal Dinner" or something more personal like "A Dinner in Celebration of..."
- Couple's names
- Date — Spelled out formally (e.g., Friday, the fourteenth of June) or written casually depending on tone
- Time — Include both the start time and, optionally, the end time
- Venue name and full address
- Dress code — If applicable (smart casual, cocktail attire, etc.)
- RSVP details — Deadline, email, phone number, or link
Rehearsal Dinner Invitation Wording Examples
Formal Wording
Mr. and Mrs. James Harrison
request the pleasure of your company
at a dinner in celebration of the marriage of
Emily Harrison and Thomas Nguyen
Friday, the fourteenth of June
at seven o'clock in the evening
The Rosewood Club
421 Oak Lane, Charleston, South Carolina
Cocktail attire requested
Kindly reply by the first of June
emily@email.com
Semi-Formal Wording
Please join us for the rehearsal dinner
celebrating
Emily & Thomas
Friday, June 14th at 7:00 PM
The Rosewood Club
421 Oak Lane, Charleston, SC
Smart casual | RSVP by June 1st
emily@email.com
Casual / Fun Wording
One night before the big day — let's eat!
Join us for the rehearsal dinner for
Emily & Thomas
Friday, June 14th · 7 PM
The Rosewood Club, Charleston SC
Come as you are · RSVP to emily@email.com by June 1
For Destination Weddings
You've made it! Now come celebrate.
Join the families of
Emily Harrison and Thomas Nguyen
for a welcome dinner
Friday, June 14th at 7:00 PM
The Terrace at Villa Rosa
Amalfi, Italy
Dress: Resort elegant
RSVP: emily@email.com
Who Gets a Rehearsal Dinner Invitation?
Rehearsal dinner invites typically go to:
- The entire wedding party (bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girls, ring bearers)
- Immediate family on both sides
- The officiant (and their spouse/partner)
- Out-of-town guests — many couples include these as a courtesy since they've already traveled
- Anyone involved in the ceremony rehearsal itself
You are not obligated to invite all wedding guests to the rehearsal dinner. It's a smaller, more intimate event.
Timing: When to Send Rehearsal Dinner Invitations
Send rehearsal dinner invitations 4–6 weeks before the wedding. Since many guests will already know they're attending from conversations, these can go out a little later than your formal wedding invitations — but don't leave it to the last minute.
Design Tips
Your rehearsal dinner invitation doesn't need to match your wedding invitation suite exactly, but it should feel related. Consider:
- Using the same color palette or typography
- A slightly more relaxed design than your formal invitation
- Printed cards for a classic touch, or digital for a casual dinner
Looking for beautiful, customizable rehearsal dinner invitations? Browse our Rehearsal Dinner Invitation collection — each design is fully personalized to match your wedding style.