b"REHEARSAL OFF PATH PHOTOGRAPHYPLANNING YOUR REHEARSALWhen does the ceremonyguests. If you prefer an intimatelocal restaurants. However, you rehearsal and dinner takegathering but dont want tocan use a banquet hall or your place? exclude other guests, considerreception venue.The ceremony rehearsal tra- hosting the rehearsal dinnerWhat takes place at theQUESTIONS TO ASKditionally takes place the daytwo nights before the weddingrehearsal dinner?before the wedding. You canday and having a welcome partyTraditionally, the best manCeremony Venue: host the meal prior to or afterfor out-of-town guests the nightoffers a toast to the soon-to- What time will the rehearsalthe ceremony rehearsal, orbefore the wedding. be spouses. The groom thenbegin?you can hold both on entirelyWhere should we holdfollows with a toast to his brideHow long will the rehearsaldifferent days.the dinner? and her parents. You shouldtake?make sure that all guests are Who should we invite? The rehearsal dinner should beWho should attend the Everyone involved in theheld near the ceremony site.introduced to one another,rehearsal? ceremony should attend the re- Its considerate and fun to varyeither by formal introductionsRehearsal Dinner Venue: hearsal, including bridesmaids,the dinner options from theor through mingling. A specialHow many can you seat?groomsmen, parents, the flowerwedding mealsuch as offer- touch would be to introduceDo you have a special menu?girl and ring bearer, the offici- ing steak or seafood if youreyour wedding party and say How many servers will you ant, and readers. Its consideratehaving an Italian menu at your something personal about eachprovide?to invite the spouse or signifi- receptionso guests can haveone, like how you met or whyCan you accommodate cant other of each attendant todifferent experiences!the rehearsal dinner.you asked them to be in yourspecial dietary needs? Where you decide to have thewedding. If youd rather have aIs there a bar? Regarding the dinner, the guestrehearsal dinner depends on themore relaxed and casual atmo- Do you have options to limitlist can be as simple as includ- budget of whoever is throwingsphere with no formal speeches, the bar tab?ing your immediate family, theit (traditionally the grooms par- thats okay too! The rehearsalWhen do you need a finalwedding party, and their signif- ents) and what kind of party thedinner is a great time to relaxhead count?icant others, although its be- host envisions. Most commonly,with your family and friends coming more popular to makerehearsal dinners are held atwithout worrying too muchDon't forget to ask the general it a larger event for out-of-townabout tradition. questions on page 5REHEARSAL|8-3 MONTHS UNTIL I DO|TODAYS BRIDE 171"