Any ideas for a rehearsal dinner for 50? The bride's parents are having a $20 a plate wedding for 300 people. I hate to look too cheap, but I am on a budget! (It is a summer wedding.)
By Jilly from WI
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Why have so many, most of the weddings I am familiar with, it is just the bride/groom/attendants, and family. Spouses aren't even included.
If your location is near a body of water...place sand where you may place a jar of pretty shells & round sea glass from TJ Maxx or craft shop. Use sea glass matching wedding if available, if not, use clear & a nautical blue. You can also purchase or use your & your friends vases or Mason jars filled almost to top of jar. Place a pretty shell or star fish on top...if you have access to many shells, use less sand & more shells, keeping a medium size shell in the center & scatter smaller/pretty broken shell pieces around the shell in center. I hosted a wedding, propped up wooden "boat paddles" here & there. Gathered beach grass or any khaki colored grass (or drying weed grass in large clear bowls or vases & if you spread sand down a long table...about 3 feet from end, place a good amount of sand(can't see table cloth) down the entire table, scattering small sea grass...sea glass & any broken shell pieces & if you have nice large shells place one near the end of each end of long table.
Look up large quantity recipes, growlies for groups. This website has over 500 make ahead or large quantity recipes and lots of self catering tips. I used this website extensively in making ahead lots of recipes for my daughters wedding.
What is the weather like for you at that time of year? If it's pleasant, why not have an old-fashioned bar-b-que? As weddings can be stressful, you can do something that is fun and relaxing.
If you can it is usually best to have a Rehearsal Dinner that is casual. Many times the families are meeting for the first time,and a casual atmosphere is less intimidating and allows everyone to relax and have fun. A picnic or Barbeque is probably your best bet for a nice dinner that is more affordable. Limit the proteins and serve a lot of salads and vegetables and fruit.
Threw 50th anniversary pig picking. Purchased a roll of red & white check thick paper cloth, cutting each to table & taped edges & corners to fit neatly. You can get buy using 3 red & white cloths then purchase red & white solid paper clothes(make certain to tape all sides & corners. Take a hike into to the woods. Cut the ends of pine branches. Size depends on size of table. Creates a circular "spray". Place small to medium pinecones on top of the pine spray. Smells nicely as well. To step it up, use Elmer's glue on inside & out on pinecones & sprinkle red, or silver glitter. Silver will match you eating utensils if you don't use plastic. If you do use plastic, place red forks on white tables & white on the red. Cover the "serving" table with the red & white tablecloth to keep the theme & make food presentation a step up. Red plastic plates with red Solo cups will match theme perfectly.
I am also hosting a rehearsal dinner for 40 in the summer at my church building. My brother is making the homemade bar-b-q. I am getting the plates, napkins, cups, tablecloths & serving dishes at a local Dollar Tree store.
I would suggest doing a spiral ham and a turkey breast or chicken salad with and assortment of rolls and potato/pasta salad and cole slaw/salad. This is a great casual idea that I'm sure everyone would enjoy and you could really do a great pic nic theme!
We did mostly finger foods at my daughter's August wedding. We had a large (20.00) shrimp cocktail, ham and cheese rolls, turkey rolls, veggie platter, fruit platter, chips and dips and assorted canned drinks. Everyone found something they liked and it was inexpensive.
Good luck to you and the future "Mr".
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