Backyard Rehearsal Dinner Ideas
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You’ve budgeted, you’ve planned, you’ve nailed down every single detail for your perfect wedding day, and now the only thing left is the rehearsal dinner. If you’re like most brides, the rehearsal dinner probably wasn’t at the top of your list for budget & importance, but it’s still a tradition and a great one!
If you’re thinking of nixing the fancy rehearsal dinner, we’re here to show you how amazing a backyard rehearsal dinner can be. It can be as posh or as casual as you want, it’s really a blank canvas! And thankfully, it’s often a lot less expensive than hosting it at a swanky restaurant, ballroom, or at the venue itself.
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Backyard Rehearsal Dinner Tips
Themes & Decor
Food & Drink
Fun & Games
Not sold yet? Just check out these gorgeous backyard rehearsal dinner ideas to get inspired and excited about the special evening before your big day!
But first, a couple of tips to make your backyard rehearsal dinner as stress free and fabulous as possible:
Have it Catered
Don’t do the cooking, or have family members man the kitchen. Lift that stress from you and your family by hiring someone to do all the cooking for you.
Hire Cleaners
This way you don’t have to worry about the stress of the mess when your guests leave. Cleaning up a big dinner party is not ideal for the night before your wedding, you should be getting your beauty sleep!
Hire Servers & Bartenders
Having a large group or just want to stay off your feet for the evening? We don’t blame you! Hiring servers and bartenders takes all of the pressure off you when it comes to keeping your guests well-fed and hydrated.
Depending on the size of your gathering and your budget, you may want to incorporate those tips or not. It’s totally up to you! Now, let’s get to the fun part: backyard rehearsal dinner ideas!
Themes & Decor
Set the mood with a gorgeous theme and decor that transforms your space from a simple backyard to true wedding event. From a classic garden party to nautical, waterfront soirees, there’s an idea for every space, budget, and bridal style.
Elegant Garden Party
Classy dinnerware, table runners, and lush greenery are the perfect combination for an elegant garden party-style rehearsal dinner. Serve fancy appetizers and entrees, and keep the wine flowing.
“I Do” Barbecue
Throw a casual rehearsal dinner in the afternoon or evening before your big day. Grill steaks, burgers, and hot dogs, and give the bridal party a chance to relax before all of the next day’s festivities.
Tropical Oasis
Transform your backyard into a beach retreat with palm tree decor, colorful leighs, and fruity resort-style drinks. Want to level up your Tropical Oasis dinner? Dump sand out back to create an actual beach or host your party near the water.
Wine or Beer Tasting
Craft a tasting menu that pairs beer or wine with each course of your meal perfectly. There are plenty of online resources to help you out, or hire a professional to design your menu.
Picnic Rehearsal Dinner
A casual rehearsal dinner is just as fun as an elegant dinner party! Lay out the picnic blankets and create a gorgeous spread with charcuterie boards, wine, and a wide variety of finger foods. Make it more comfortable for guests with big pillows and cozy blankets.
Casino Night Under the Stars
Just because you’re outside in the backyard doesn’t mean you can’t host an awesome casino night! Hang some twinkling lights, rent black jack tables and hire dealers, and have your guests dress to the nines for a night of fun.
Pizza Party
Pizza party, but make it classy. Pizza is obviously a favorite of most people, but make it feel fancy with artisan pizzas, tons of delicious sides, and tuscan decor.
Food & Drink
Arguably one of the most important parts of any dinner, is the food and drinks you and your guests get to enjoy. A wedding event is a great place to get creative with your selection: classy cocktails, tasty hors d’oeuvres, and decadent desserts that light up the night!
Custom Glassware
No matter what beverages you’re pouring, make sure they’re in customized glasses that celebrate your upcoming nuptials!
Taco Bar
Taco bars are all the rage these days because they’re so delicious, and you can make the spread look so cute with festive decor and lots of color. Don’t forget the queso!
Dessert Buffet
Decadent desserts on top of decadent desserts sounds like an absolute dream, doesn’t it? Mini-cheesecakes, donuts, cookies, and truffle candies piled high is the sweetest touch to your rehearsal dinner evening.
Champagne Wall
Easily up the “Wow!” factor of your backyard shindig with a dazzling champagne wall. DIY your own or grab one of these on Etsy to make set up super smooth.
Donut Display
Love donuts? You’re not alone! They’ve become so trendy to have at weddings and for good reason, they’re delicious and so pretty! Set up a cute display and let guests satisfy their sweet tooth.
Fun & Games
Give your guests plenty to do in between mingling and eating by providing fun yard games! There are so many great options and they’re all simple & easy so even older members of the group will feel comfortable giving it a whirl.
And they’re all so much fun, depending on the formality of your wedding day, you may just want to break them out at your reception or cocktail hour too!
Cornhole
Custom cornhole boards bring this game to life for your special day, but any cornhole set will do! These also make great gifts from the bride to the groom, or from family members to the happy couple.
Ring Toss
Another classic game that makes perfect sense for a rehearsal dinner or other wedding-related get-together: ring toss. You can find adorable ring toss sets on Etsy or around the web, making it feel extra special and fit your evening aesthetic.
Croquet
Depending on the size of your space, croquet is a great option for a low-key game that doesn’t require too much effort. And it’s undeniably classy!
Bocce Ball
Similarly to croquet, this game doesn’t require a whole lot of effort and is straightforward. For those unfamiliar with the game, one person throws the small white ball across the yard and whoever can get their ball closest to it wins.
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