A rehearsal dinner is a chance for your family members and close friends to come together, celebrate, and get ready for your wedding. While the main focus is on rehearsing the ceremony, a rehearsal dinner can also be a fun and engaging event for everyone.
Here are twelve tips and tricks to make your rehearsal dinner a night to remember and how the Bristlecone Inn in Estes Park, Colorado, can make this happen for you.
12 Tips and Tricks for an Unforgettable Rehearsal Dinner
Pick a Unique and Cozy Location
Your rehearsal dinner doesn’t have to be at a fancy restaurant or an expensive venue, and it can be anywhere that feels special and comfortable to you and your guests. A local park, a friend’s backyard, or even your favorite pizza place can be a great choice. The key is to pick a location where everyone can relax and enjoy themselves.
For instance, the Bristlecone Inn features a historic reception hall where a simple or lavish spread of food can be served to you and your guests. It is an intimate space with up to 50 guests and ample room for games, music, and dancing. In addition, you can incorporate the majestic view of Estes Park in your rehearsal dinner by using the inn’s outdoor patio and fencetine yards, where tents and stylish table umbrellas can be set up for your banquet.
Plan Fun Activities and Games
To make the rehearsal dinner more engaging, plan some fun activities and games that guests of all ages can enjoy. This could include trivia games about key moments in your relationship, a scavenger hunt, or even a DIY craft station. These activities can help break the ice, especially if people don’t know each other well.
Encourage Mingling and Conversation
Help your guests get to know each other by setting up conversation areas and using creative seating arrangements. Instead of having a traditional sit-down dinner, consider setting up buffet-style food stations, encouraging people to move around and mingle. You can also provide conversation starter cards on each table, which can help spark interesting discussions.
The Bristlecone Inn’s outdoor patio is a perfect space to encourage interaction among your guests. The naturesque backdrop of Estes Park is a great conversation starter. At night, small groups can gather around a cozy fire pit as the starry skies encourage intimate conversations of recollecting past acquaintances and events.
Offer a Variety of Food Options
A great way to make your rehearsal dinner fun is to offer a variety of tasty food options that cater to different tastes and dietary needs. You could have a build-your-own taco bar, a make-your-own pizza station, or even a dessert buffet with lots of sweet treats. This way, everyone can find something they like and have a great time customizing their meal.
Over the past 20 years, the Bristlecone Inn has partnered with Jubilations Catering, a highly commended catering service provider that can execute every detail of your preferred menu and dishes. Jubilations deliver every unique request and the dietary requirement you and your guests will want for a luscious rehearsal dinner.
Don’t Forget the Entertainment
Having some form of entertainment can make your rehearsal dinner even more enjoyable. This could be a live band, a DJ, or even a fun playlist you and your partner have put together. You could also hire a magician, a caricature artist, or a photo booth to provide extra fun for your guests.
Make It Personal
Your rehearsal dinner is the perfect opportunity to show your personality and style. You can incorporate your favorite colors, themes, or hobbies into the event. For example, if you and your partner love movies, you could have a movie-themed rehearsal dinner with popcorn, movie posters, and famous movie quotes scattered around the room.
Keep the Speeches Short and Sweet
While it’s traditional for the couple, their parents, and the bridal party to give speeches during the rehearsal dinner, try to keep them short and sweet. Encourage everyone to share fun stories, memories, and words of advice, but also remind them to be mindful of the time. This way, guests can enjoy the speeches without getting bored or restless.
Capture the Memories
Your rehearsal dinner is a special moment in your wedding journey, so make sure to capture the memories. You can have a guest book where people can write their well-wishes, a Polaroid camera station for candid photos, or even a hashtag for guests to use when posting pictures on social media.
Create a Keepsake
To remember the fun and engaging rehearsal dinner, consider creating a keepsake you and your guests can cherish. You could ask everyone to sign a photo frame, a piece of artwork, or even a customized puzzle that features a picture of the couple. This will be a beautiful reminder of the special time you shared with your loved ones.
Send Guests Home With a Small Token
Consider sending your guests home with a small token or favor to show your appreciation and keep the fun going. This could be a bag of your favorite candies, a personalized bottle opener, or even a small potted plant. Whatever you choose, make sure it represents your rehearsal dinner’s fun and engaging atmosphere.
Keep the Kids Entertained
If children attend your rehearsal dinner, plan activities to keep them entertained and engaged. This could be a designated kids’ corner with coloring books, puzzles, and games or hiring a babysitter to supervise and organize age-appropriate activities. By keeping the kids entertained, their parents can also relax and enjoy the festivities.
Have a Surprise Element
To make your rehearsal dinner memorable, consider adding a surprise element to delight your guests. This could be a surprise performance by a local band, a firework display, or even a special dance routine by the couple or bridal party. A surprise element can create excitement and a lasting impression on your guests.
By incorporating these tips and tricks into your rehearsal dinner planning, you can create a fun and engaging event that will be remembered fondly by you and your guests. Remember, the key is to make the evening personal and enjoyable and reflect your and your partner’s unique style and personality.
Plan Your Rehearsal Dinner at the Bristlecone Inn
For a unique and unforgettable rehearsal dinner, look no further than the Bristlecone Inn in Estes Park, Colorado, for a venue to host this important pre-wedding event. Its classic reception hall, beautiful outdoor patios, and fencetine yards are perfect spaces where you and your guests can enjoy a fun and engaging night.
The Bristlecone Inn’s experienced coordination team will work with you to create a memorable event that reflects your personal style and preferences, from a relaxed outdoor BBQ, a formal sit-down dinner, or a more casual buffet-style meal.
The Bristlecone Inn’s beautiful location in Estes Park, Colorado, offers stunning views of the Rocky Mountains and proximity to the famous Rocky Mountain National Park, making it the perfect venue for an engaging and interactive pre-wedding ceremony.
