Rehearsal Dinner Invitation Wording: 6 Samples of What to Say
Your rehearsal dinner is the ideal opportunity to gather with your nearest and dearest before one of the biggest moments in your life. It’s a time filled with love and joy, so naturally, you want to share that excitement in your rehearsal dinner invitation.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of creating and sending your rehearsal dinner invitations. Plus, we’ll share some of our favorite rehearsal dinner invitation wording examples to help you craft a message of your own.
When to Create and Send Your Wedding Rehearsal Dinner Invites
Design: Ashley Ottinger | Fancy Free Invitation
When it comes to wedding planning, there are timelines and deadlines everywhere. Your wedding rehearsal dinner is no different. You want to send your invites in a timely manner but not so early that people might miss them.
Aim to send your rehearsal dinner invitations 3-5 weeks ahead of the big day. Sending your invites within this timeline gives people enough time to RSVP and plan ahead.
Also, be sure to send them separately from your wedding invitations, as not everyone who is invited to your wedding ceremony will be invited to the rehearsal dinner.
Who to Add to Your Rehearsal Dinner Invite List
Rehearsal dinner guest lists are much smaller and more intimate than a wedding guest list. Traditionally, the rehearsal dinner is limited to those who are in the wedding party (like bridesmaids) and others who have helped make the wedding happen. That can include the officiant, wedding planner, immediate family members, close friends, and their plus-ones.
However, feel free to break from convention. Your rehearsal dinner is likely the last special occasion before you say “I do,” so who you invite is completely up to you.
What to Include in Your Rehearsal Dinner Invitation Wording
Design: Annie Montgomery Design | Watercolor Tiles Invitation
Now that we’ve covered the “when” and “who” of sending your wedding rehearsal invitations, it’s time to review some other important details. Here’s everything you need to include in your rehearsal dinner invites to prepare your guests and get them excited about the event.
Date and Time
Make sure your guests know when to join you by clearly including the rehearsal dinner date and time. Most rehearsal dinners happen immediately after the wedding rehearsal itself, although it can take place on another date close to the wedding day.
Sometimes you’ll have people coming to your rehearsal dinner who couldn’t make the rehearsal itself or who you simply wanted to invite even though they’re not part of the wedding party. With all of these variables in mind, it’s good to clearly state the date and time so guests know what’s expected and when to arrive.
Rehearsal Dinner Location
Once you’ve confirmed the date, let your guests know where the dinner is taking place. Include the full address — especially if you have out-of-town guests.
Name of Host(s)
Your rehearsal dinner invite should reference the host’s name. This is a great way to give people a heads up on who they should get in touch with about the event. It’s also a thoughtful gesture to show gratitude toward the host(s) if you are not paying for it yourself. This is a traditional feature from when rehearsal dinner etiquette suggested that the groom’s parents paid for and hosted the dinner, but these days it’s every couple’s choice.
Guests of Honor
Of course, your rehearsal dinner invite wording must include the couple’s names. How you style this section is completely your choice. You might decide to include your full names if it’s a more formal invitation, or you could go more relaxed and simply include your first names or the nicknames your loved ones know you as.
Dress Code
There’s nothing worse than showing up to a big event underdressed or overdressed. Remove any worries from your guests’ minds by stating your dinner’s dress code. You can also mention a fun theme or color scheme here if you have one planned.
Weddings are often formal events by tradition, but yours might be the opposite. And even for the most formal of weddings, the rehearsal dinner is more understated and relaxed. If your wedding is black tie, formal or cocktail attire could work. For a more casual wedding, you might suggest your guests show up to your cozy rehearsal dinner in whatever they’re most comfortable in.
How to RSVP
Once your guests have read through the details and feel excited to join you for your event, they’ll need to know how to reply. At the end of your rehearsal dinner invite, share how guests can RSVP and clearly state the RSVP date.
For a more formal invitation, you could include an RSVP card that people fill in and mail or email back to the hosts. Other options include a phone number, email address, or wedding website where people can RSVP.
Perhaps the easiest option of all: Greenvelope’s digital invitations allow guests to RSVP directly from the invite — making things easier on both sides.
Other Details
Every invite is different, which means your rehearsal dinner invite wording might feature extra details or sections. While you don’t want to make your invite too wordy, other things to cover can include menu options, transport details, or a link to your wedding website.
With Greenvelope, you can include all this information in your invitation’s details panel to keep your main design clutter-free and visually stunning.
6 Beautiful Rehearsal Dinner Invite Wording Examples to Inspire You
Coming up with the right words isn’t always easy — even if you know which exact details to include. To help you find some inspiration, here’s a selection of our favorite rehearsal dinner invites and suggested wording. Use these examples to guide your own rehearsal dinner wording and design.
1. Distinguished Monogram Invitation and Wording
Design: Annie Montgomery Design
Ideal for formal rehearsal dinners, this distinguished invite features elegant gold leaf greenery and a prominent monogram. Delicate script is paired with modern fonts for a regal look. Select this invite if your nuptials are an elevated affair with a more formal dress code.
Sample Wording Idea:
You’re invited to the wedding of
Penelope Douglas
and
Kellum Holmes
At seven in the evening on August 21st
Two thousand twenty-five
Belo Mansion
Dallas, Texas
2. Boho Beach Party Invitation and Wording
Design: frau brandt
Planning a summer-inspired wedding event? This Boho Beach Party design is the perfect rehearsal dinner invitation. Featuring a dreamy scene of a sandy beach flanked by palm trees and a cozy seating area, it imparts visions of affection and whimsy. Use it for a rehearsal dinner BBQ at the beach or a backyard celebration.
Sample Wording Idea:
Please join us for a
Rehearsal Dinner
Honoring Cathleen and Thomas
Saturday, August 23rd, 2025
at 5 o’clock in the afternoon
Jordan’s Beach House
5227 Laguna Drive, Malibu, CA
Kindly RSVP by August 10
3. Statement Invitation and Wording
Design: M. Taylor Design Co.
Make a splash with this statement Invite that’s equal parts sophisticated and understated. Gold foil bars adorn the top and bottom, adding a modern touch, while the bold font invites guests to the big event. Choose from six artist-curated color palettes or dream up a custom hue using the color wheel tool. This wedding stationery is ideal for both formal and casual rehearsal dinners.
Sample Wording Idea:
Brandon + Annalise
invite you to their rehearsal dinner
September 6, 2025 / 6pm
Jensens Supper Club
3480 Rahn Road
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Hosted by William & Tamara Hanson
4. Colossal Crab Invitation and Wording
Design: Patrice Horvath Design
If you’re planning a laid-back rehearsal dinner on the beach, look no further than this sea creature-themed invite. Featuring a colorful watercolor crab, it’s sure to grab the attention of your guests. Pair it with a nautical wedding invitation suite for a cohesive look. With this design and casual approach, you can customize the invite to include more text and a friendlier tone, like in the example below.
Sample Wording Idea:
Taylor + Jenna
Invite you to come shell-abrate with a crab-tastic rehearsal dinner as they crack open the fun and get ready to tie the knot. Come enjoy some delicious seafood, great company, and lively chatter.
July 13th, 2025
4:30pm
Sandy Shore Grove Park
7746 Sandy Lane
Sarasota, Florida
5. Gold Frame Invitation and Wording
Design: Jessie Steury
Invite close friends and family to the rehearsal dinner with this formal design. A large photo box is the perfect spot to display your favorite engagement photo and a blend of modern and elegant script announces the dinner party. The text element can also be altered for a fee, allowing you to use the design for other wedding events including a bridal shower.
This invite is entirely customizable and features a blank backside where you can add more details. On the front, include the main event details like the time and location of the rehearsal dinner — and don’t forget to add more context on the backside (like the sample below).
Sample Wording Idea:
Jeremiah Thomas and Duncan Silver
Request the pleasure of your company at their rehearsal dinner, where loved ones will gather to celebrate the eve of their wedding day.
At five in the evening on May 19th
Two thousand twenty-five
Beaulieu Garden
1901 St Helena Hwy
Rutherford, California
Backside Sample Wording Idea:
“A marriage is a long conversation that always seems too short.”
We want to make the most of our time together, and we know many of you are traveling far and wide to be able to attend our special day. While our time together will be short, we’re packing in the activities.
Our rehearsal dinner will start at five o’clock with a cocktail hour and hors d’oeuvres. At six o’clock sharp, we’ll serve dinner and follow this up with toasts and speeches. Finally, we’ll wrap up the evening with games and activities.
Please wear cocktail or formal attire, and bring a light jacket. The cocktail hour will take place in the outdoor garden at sunset, and the evening winds can be a little chilly.
6. Forks and Wildflowers Invitation and Wording
Design: Diasty Hardhikaputri
For nature-loving couples, this wildflower invitation is the perfect way to ask guests to join you the night before you get married. Ideal for wedding weekends in a forest or meadow landscape, it features sunny flowers and vintage cutlery for a retro feel.
Sample Wording Idea:
It’s Dinner Time
You’re invited to a warm and cozy rehearsal dinner under the stars. Please join us for an evening filled with joy, gratitude, and delightful conversation in honor of
Patrice and Arnold
May 31, 2025
8 PM
Waterfall Lodge and Retreat
180 Hidden Falls Trail
Ben Lomond, California
Create the Perfect Rehearsal Dinner Invites Today
With your wedding rehearsal dinner taking place so close to the big day, it’s no surprise that it’s a moment filled with excitement and anticipation. A thoughtful rehearsal dinner invitation can help express that joy.
Take inspiration from the rehearsal dinner invite wording ideas and tips above to invite your loved ones to the celebration in style. Pair your beautiful wording with one of Greenvelope’s stunning rehearsal dinner invitation templates, then customize it to match your event and style perfectly.
