Celebrations & people · 4 subtopics: Rehearsal dinner & wedding weekend

The rehearsal, the dinner, welcome parties, after-parties and the morning-after brunch.

Guests raising their glasses around a long table by a pool at night

The ceremony rehearsal

A 45–60 minute run-through of the processional, positions, readings and recessional, usually the day before.

Officiant or coordinator leads
Practice the processional order
Bring the license and program
Know who holds the rings

Open the ceremony rehearsal

The rehearsal dinner

Wedding party, close family and the officiant, with longer toasts and the couple’s thank-yous.

Who hosts and pays is flexible
Restaurant, backyard or venue
Gifts for attendants
Finish early enough to sleep

Open the rehearsal dinner

Welcome parties

Casual drinks and snacks for out-of-town guests, often the night before.

Invite travelers or everyone
Keep it casual and affordable
Name tags if families are meeting
Put it on the website

Open welcome parties

After-parties and farewell brunch

Late-night snacks and music after the reception; a drop-in brunch the next morning.

Late-night food and a relaxed bar
Drop-in brunch timing
Delegate hosting
Clear website schedule

Open after-parties and farewell brunch

A bride-to-be and her friends in white holding pink balloons

The full guideShowers, parties & weekend: The celebrations around the celebration.Engagement parties, bridal and couples showers, bachelor and bachelorette parties, the rehearsal dinner, welcome parties, after-parties and the morning-after brunch.

Articles on wedding weekend.

Showers, parties & weekend3 min read

The rehearsal dinner: who pays, who’s invited and what to say

A relaxed night before the wedding: guest list, timing, speeches and simple ideas.

Free tools for wedding weekend

Guest count & cost calculator

Wedding Stationery & Signage Suite

Stationery that looks designed, because it was.

Matching invitations, save the dates, RSVP cards, menus, programs, signs and table numbers, in up to six styles. Edit in Canva, Google Slides or PowerPoint, then print anywhere.

156 designs
6 styles
30 table numbers
4 apps

From$38.50~~$77~~Choose your version Look inside first

Three versions: choose yours on Gumroad. Instant download.

The Wedding Stationery & Signage Suite cover, shown with product mockups