Rehearsal dinners generally include the families of the bride and groom coming together for a meal, wine, cocktails, and a relaxed time for socializing. It usually takes place the evening before the wedding day, and after the bride and groom have rehearsed their wedding.
Bringing the two families together can be stressful, especially if one family is coming from out-of-town or if the two families are meeting for the first time. Making sure all goes smoothly and that everyone has a great meal and enjoys their time together carries even more importance. Gervasi Vineyard Resort & Spa is just the place to be.
Parents, siblings, spouses, children, and sometimes extended family members are the guests at the rehearsal dinner. The event can become a rather large event to plan and host. As with any wedding custom, if you and your beloved choose to host a rehearsal dinner before your big day, it will be helpful to keep the following tips in mind when planning such an important event.
This event should be a celebration, not just a rehearsal. The rehearsal dinner is usually planned immediately following the run-through of the ceremony processional, which is most often scheduled for the night before the wedding.
It is best to treat the dinner as a celebration with lots of toasts and many thanks for the people who have helped make it happen. Take the time to have fun with the people you care about by getting the rehearsal details out of the way so that everyone, including your future spouse, your closest friends, and your family, can enjoy the celebration, relax, and have fun.
Be careful about calling it a “dinner” if it doesn’t include a full menu. If serving only hors d’oeuvres, appetizers, and wine and cocktails, call the event something other than a dinner. Consider calling it a welcome party. Calling it a dinner may be misleading to the guests, who may be expecting to eat a meal. It would be helpful to include what is being served on the invitation.
Thank everyone. Guest lists usually include parents, grandparents, spouses, the officiant, out-of-town relatives to thank them for making the wedding event extra special. It is appreciated by all if the bride and groom make a toast to all the guests at some point in the evening. There may be others who want to make a toast like the couples parents, siblings, etc., and it will be helpful to leave time for others to say a thing or two.
What’s the plan?
The top planning steps with suggested timelines include:
- Who is hosting? Decide four or five months before who is hosting the rehearsal dinner.
- Planning the details: Four to five months out, determine the date, time, and location, set the budget, and start the guest list to help determine the size of the venue. With so much of the planning depending on how many will be attending, complete the guest list quickly.
- The food, wines, spirits: Two to three months before the event, finalize the menu and remember to plan for shareable snacks, dinner, and dessert, including all the bride-to-be and the future groom’s favorites. Don’t forget to plan for wine or cocktails before, during, and possibly after the meal.
- The theme of the event: Around one to two months ahead of the set date, brainstorm for themes and start shopping for decorations. Keep the focus on colors and themes the wedding couple prefer.
- Send the invitations: It is recommended to get the invitations mailed two to three months in advance to give the out-of-towners time to plan their trips. Make sure to confirm the RSVPs about two weeks in advance of the event. Follow up with those who have not RSVP’d to confirm if they are or are not attending.
- Speakers and Toast Makers: Parents and others are usually asked to say something about the wedding couple and to toast the upcoming nuptials.
- Plan for gift giving: Traditionally, the bride and groom will give small gifts to the bridal party, including the flower girl(s)and the wedding ring bearer(s).
Slow down and enjoy the time together
The rehearsal dinner is really about celebrating your love story with family and close friends. Take advantage of the opportunity to slow down, relax, and enjoy the time together.
Dining at Gervasi can add to the peacefulness of the event with the serene landscape of lush vineyards and the gentle shimmer of a sparkling lake. Gervasi Vineyard offers a setting that feels both intimate and memorable. Keep in mind here at Gervasi, every view is picture-perfect, and every moment feels like it was made just for the wedding couple and their guests.
Gervasi venues that best host rehearsal dinners include: The Bistro, The Crush House, The Cave, The Twisted Olive (offsite), and The Villa Grande.
The Sales Team at GV can help with the dates and match the venue to the size of the guest list and food choices; all venues are amazing and ready to offer a great dining experience. They can also advise when the venue will be available for the hosts to decorate.
Indoor dining at The Villa Grande
The Villa Grande is ideal for rehearsal dinners as it exudes the warm, welcoming feel of a grand Tuscan home with an elegant ballroom perfect for dinners of 60 to 120 guests. Small events of 50 guests or fewer may also be accommodated. The adjacent patio—The Veranda—overlooks the surrounding Villas. The Villa Grande is also an ideal venue for rehearsal dinners and luncheons with out-of-town family and friends.
The Villa Grande has a 1,920-square-foot ballroom with carpeted floors, stucco walls and beautiful chandeliers, a 720-square-foot Veranda for outdoor ceremonies, and an oversized atrium (lobby) with cozy fireplace for a cocktail reception.
Private rooms at The Bistro and The Crush House
The Bistro is an upscale, award-winning restaurant. It is housed in a beautifully restored 1800s barn and offers authentic Italian dishes paired with award-winning wines. Every moment at The Bistro is crafted with care and quiet elegance. Private rooms that can be reserved for rehearsal dinners include:
- Barile “Barrel” Room: Tucked away on the lower level, this intimate private room offers a warm, rustic ambiance, perfect for 16 Guests Maximum.
- Vetrina di Vino: A secluded dining space offering an elegant yet relaxed atmosphere on the lower level. It is ideal for 32 Guests Maximum (44 if seating the Barile).
- Cantino di Vino “Wine Cellar”: A semi-private dining space with a cozy, wine cellar-inspired setting, defined by a curtain for 36 Guests maximum.
The Crush House is set in an industrial-chic space with both indoor and outdoor seating. This venue invites you to enjoy creative dishes designed to complement Gervasi’s wines. Whether you’re stopping in for a casual lunch, a lively dinner, or a wine-tasting experience, the vibrant atmosphere and moments shared make for an unforgettable experience. Private rooms include:
- The Bellina Room (Private): A spacious private room located inside the winery on the ground level, The Bellina Room is ideal for larger gatherings and special occasions. Capacity of 24 guests maximum.
- The Vineyard Room (Private): An intimate second-floor space with a cozy yet refined atmosphere, The Vineyard Room provides a secluded setting for small events with capacity of 24 guests maximum, Accessibility: Located on the second story (stairs only, no elevator).
- The Tower Room (Semi-Private): For a more relaxed setting with a view into the winery’s fermentation room, The Tower Room is an excellent choice for smaller groups looking for a unique dining experience. Capacity: 8-12 guests. Accessibility: Located on the second story (stairs only, no elevator).
The Twisted Olive – Located in Green, OH
Host your gathering where exceptional food and wine bring people together at The Twisted Olive. It offers stylish private dining spaces for any occasion. With a menu of modern American cuisine and personalized service, it’s the perfect setting for memorable celebrations, including wedding rehearsal dinners and gatherings. The many options available at The Twisted Olive provide a perfect space for you and your guests to celebrate the happy couple.
For rehearsal dinners at the Twisted Olive, 4 of the 6 event spaces are available, depending on your guest count.
The Four Seasons Room is a cozy and inviting space for up to 24 guests maximum. Surrounded with windows and a beautiful lake view, this space is perfect for smaller rehearsal dinners.
The Terrace Room highlights an exquisite private terrace for you and your guests to enjoy throughout dinner. The Terrace Room can accommodate up to 30 guests and also features a beautiful stone fireplace.
The Twisted Room, located on the lower level, offers a private event space for up to 50 guests. This spacious space is the largest option available at the Twisted Olive.
The Oval Room is the most intimate option available at the Twisted Olive offering a private dining space for small gatherings up to 16. Featuring a beautiful oval table, everyone will be able to socialize and mingle throughout the evening.
Out-of-towners Can Stay in Luxury at GV
For those guests who would like to spend the night at Gervasi, there are wonderful options of staying at The Casa or The Villas. For large groups staying over, Gervasi’s Farmhouse is a perfect overnight stay solution.
Dinner Celebrations at GV
One final tip is to remember that the rehearsal dinner is meant to celebrate a couple’s love with family and friends. The best of the best is the way to go for such a major celebration of a couple’s love story by hosting a remarkable, somewhat intimate, and memorable pre-wedding dinner and event.
Gervasi offers only the best options for shower venues, food, wines, spirits, and highly recognized customer service. The bride will forever remember her time with friends and family at any of Gervasi’s celebration venues.