Planning a Wedding Rehearsal Dinner on a Budget

Planning a wedding a budget? Here are penny-pincher tips to save money on the non-essentials so you'll have enough to cover the important things. Use this guide to create an inexpensive, memorable wedding rehearsal dinner.

The rehearsal dinner allows you to thank your wedding party for helping to make your big day special. Typically the groom's family pays. However, not everyone understands this protocol. If your in-laws aren't forthcoming about whether they will pay for the rehearsal dinner, proceed under the assumption that they aren't. Consider these budget friendly options.

Consider at-home catering by a family friend. Have a friend or relative in the catering business? Why not give her your business and save some money, too? He or she may be willing to cater your rehearsal as a wedding gift to you. Pay for food and supplies in advance.

Also consider at-home catering by culinary arts students. If you have a local Culinary Arts programs in your community, you may be able to hire a student caterer to cater your rehearsal dinner and save money on professional fees.

Host dinner in a community center. Live in a condo, mobile home park or apartment complex? Many have community centers that you can rent. Some complexes require only a security deposit that is refundable after the event. Community centers are often the best option for those who are on a budget. If the community center has a kitchen, do your preparation and cooking there.

Rent or borrow your church social hall. Many churches have family centers with kitchen facilities. Some churches double as banquet facilities and have all the dinnerware, glass ware and cutlery. This will save money on disposable paper products. If you are a parishioner, you may get a better price.

Have a BBQ or picnic. Invite guests for an outdoor BBQ in your backyard, a local park, beach or campground. Grill burgers, hotdogs or steaks. Have a fish fry or a clam bake. Ask family members to bring a dish to pass or buy bulk deli salads. If your parents are paying, they will love you for being economical with their wedding dollar. Not only will you save money, you'll be able to afford some extras by not paying per-plate restaurant prices. These affairs are more intimate and comfortable, too.

Host a pool party. Host a fun cocktail party. Set up a poolside appetizer bar. For our daughter's birthday, we turned our garage into a cabana bar (with non-alcoholic beverages for the kids).

Offer a buffet. Buffets are often the cheapest option for wedding rehearsal dinners on a budget. Host an at-home self-serve buffet. Ideas include build-your-own:
-taco bar
-pasta bar
-hors d'oeuvres bar
-chili bar
-salad bar
-sandwich bar
-breakfast bar
-brunch
-pizza bar
-dessert bar

These tips will help you save money and create memories. However you celebrate your wedding rehearsal dinner, make it about the joy of your union, not how much you spend.