A rehearsal dinner is usually a casual dinner after a wedding rehearsal, which almost always is scheduled for the night before the wedding. It's an opportunity for the wedding party to get to know each other better, and more importantly, it's a chance for the bride and groom to thank all the people who have helped out with the wedding planning. We have put together a helpful list of tips to land a successful rehearsal dinner:

Do I need one?

You don't need to have one, but there aren't very many reasons not to. You're going to need to eat on that night anyway, why not eat with your family and friends?

Who pays for it?

Traditionally the groom's parents would pay but these days you'll often see couples cover the cost in their total wedding planning budget. Another way to go is to have both parents to host it together.

 Who plans it?

It is normally the responsibility of the groom's mother. Check with your mother-in-law and see if she is willing and able to take care of it. If she wants to, it's a good idea to let her ... it gives her a role in the wedding and even if the rehearsal dinner is completely different from your ideal, guests will usually presume that you didn't plan it.

What happens at the dinner?

Along with the meal, of course, the bride and groom offer up thanks and toast their families and the wedding party. There are usually many other informal toasts. Sometimes this toasting turns into a roasting of the bride and groom... but it's all in good fun. You can also plan ice-breaker games or other activities including poker, pool, darts, a short funny home-movie, or backyard activities. If you're not going to have a bridesmaid's luncheon, this is also a good opportunity to give bridesmaids and groomsmen gifts.

Should out-of-town guests attend?

It used to be, a rehearsal dinner was only for the wedding party and the immediate family of the bride and groom. These days, wedding magazines will say that you need to invite all of the out-of-town guests. Here's the truth: it is a nice gesture, so that you don't leave them hanging in an unfamiliar area the night before the wedding. However, if you don't invite them, you can post a list of restaurants and things to do in the area on your wedding website. Also, you can have the rehearsal dinner on the early side, and then include a note in your invitations saying "If you're going to be in town the night before the wedding, we'd love to see you! We'll be at the East Side Country Club after 9 pm – please join us if you can make it." A nice idea is to ask the bar to provide  snacks and appetizers for your guests, which is still less expensive than providing them dinner.

What if I can't afford a real rehearsal dinner?

First, rethink your expectations... it doesn't have to be some giant formal thing at a restaurant or catering hall. Some of the best rehearsal dinners are casual backyard barbecues which let people really get to know each other. Set up a badminton net or get a game of touch football going. You can even do a potluck. But do have one... it's your chance to thank everyone who made your wedding day possible.