Planning the Perfect Holiday Gathering – From Rehearsal Dinners to Festive Parties!

Your wedding day plans are in place—from the ceremony’s fragrant floral arrangements to the reception’s savory dinner menu.  But how much thought have you invested in your rehearsal dinner? And where do you envision hosting it?  Just like any festive party or special event, the home makes a perfect spot to host your rehearsal dinner.

With destination weddings on the rise and more guests traveling from afar, the rehearsal dinner is becoming an event unto itself.   “And why shouldn’t it be?” says Rosana Crombie of RoCo. Events.  “I find there is a special energy at rehearsal dinners.  The bride and groom are usually beside themselves with the anticipation of what’s to come and are ready to begin the celebration.”  And such an intimate gathering of friends and family is perfectly suited to be hosted at home! 

Crombie shares with us some of her favorite at-home rehearsal dinner ideas, including how to host a rehearsal dinner around the holidays. And the beauty of Crombie’s ideas is they don’t just apply to rehearsal dinners.  Hosting a holiday party this year?  These tips will suit your party perfectly! 

Making it personal:

·        In the spirit of giving, find a cause that the bride and groom are passionate about and donate the remaining food to a local shelter or food bank.

·        The rehearsal dinner is a time to mingle and enjoy special time with your family.  So keep it simple and relieve the stress by having the event catered by the bride and groom’s favorite restaurant. 

·        Hire a piano player, and ask him/her to provide lyric sheets for guests to gather around the piano and sing holiday songs or favorites of the bride and groom.

Think outside the box:

·        Are you on a budget?  Opt for a budget-friendly late afternoon tea party.  This is particularly a great choice for warm weather locations!  If this is a holiday tea party, make sure you round out your tea selections with spiced and mint teas.  And don’t forget the cinnamon sticks!

·        Host a casual and interactive party with different purposes to each room.  Treat guests to a family photo slideshow in the living room and provide the smallest of your wedding guests a game room complete with Wii games.  The bridesmaids and groomsmen may enjoy the relaxing feel of torches and fire pits on the patio, while the parents gather in the kitchen for a wine and chocolates pairing.

·        Forego the poinsettias and choose floral arrangements of red tulips, roses, or white flowers.  When put in simple vases, they make beautiful centerpieces or accents for side tables.

·        Ring in the New Year and the bride and groom’s upcoming nuptials with a wine tasting.  Select a variety of red, white, and dessert wines, including the couple’s personal favorites. Hire a wine connoisseur or ask Uncle Eddie, the wine enthusiast, to host the wine tasting.  And don’t forget the cheese plate to accompany the wine.

·        For favors, gift your guests mini wine bottles with custom made labels or chocolate covered bride and groom apples (they also act as fun table decorations).

Décor:

·        Take this opportunity to decorate your home for the holidays while also decorating for the rehearsal dinner.  Hang a vibrant poinsettia wreath and holiday lights in the entryway.  This is also a great opportunity to pull out all of your holiday decorations!

·        This is a great time to bring out your ‘mix and matched’ china. To make this look work, use complementary colors and themes.

·        Hang bunches of fresh red and green grapes, vines and berries on tables to go along with the great wines you’ll be serving at dinner. 

·        For a clean upscale look, stick to one color to decorate your home.  Whites and silvers are a great way to turn your home into an elegant location to host your event.

·        Don’t forget to add twinkling lights to your floral arrangements for an added touch.

·        Do your dining room chairs need an instant facelift?  You don’t need to spend a fortune on chair covers. Crombie likes tying pieces of sheer fabric in graceful loops on chair backs.  Choose a color that complements your home’s décor.

·        Colors that work well during the holiday season include deep reds, silver and gold, creams and ivories, and deep browns accented with gold. 

The beauty of an at-home rehearsal dinner is how special and personal you can make it. The holidays are stressful enough so use this time to have fun and leave your guests with a warm, cozy feeling.  “What better way to create that atmosphere,” explains Crombie, “than with a cup of white hot chocolate served in a small espresso cup paired with a chocolate fondue and fruit bar!”  

For more ideas and information, visit www.RoCoEvents.com or email Rosana Crombie at Events@RoCoEvents.com.

Rice H. Wales is a freelance writer, specializing in special events, home, and travel interests.