Need some Wedding Rehearsal Dinner ideas? I had the honor of preparing my first one this summer. I get to make another this summer! Here are some of the ideas we considered and the ones we landed on!
Some things to consider when planning your Wedding Rehearsal Dinner:
- Do I have oven space to work with or do I need to rely more on crockpots or offer a cold meal?
- Will I have time or desire to cook the day before the wedding, or should I plan a meal that can be made ahead of time?
- Do the bride and groom want a fancy meal or a casual one?
- Will I have much refrigerator space to work with?
- Will I have people to help me prepare and serve this meal?
When my oldest son, his fiance, and I were planning their rehearsal dinner, we were originally thinking that Lasagna would work well. But then we took a peek at the kitchen for the wedding venue and realized that with just one oven, we couldn’t make that work.
So we changed course to consider ideas that would utilize crock pots instead. We ended up having a fun and delicious Burrito Bar. This worked perfectly because everyone could build Burritos or Burrito Bowls just the way they liked! As a perk, the friends who joined us for the meal who needed to eat Gluten Free were able to eat this meal without any trouble! (They just skipped the tortillas.)
Here are some great and easy ideas for your Wedding Rehearsal Dinner:
1. Burrito Bar
Prepare meats and rice ahead of time and rewarm them in crock pots before serving. Pick up (or make) a wide variety of add-ins for people to choose from. Set everything out in buffet-style form and let everyone build a Burrito Bowl or Burritos!
- Shredded Salsa Chicken
- Shredded Salsa Beef
- Stick of Butter Rice
- Black Beans
- Sliced Olives
- Shredded Cheese
- Diced Tomatoes
- Shredded Lettuce
- White Queso
- Guacomole
- Corn
- Cilantro
- Salsa
- Tortilla Chips
- Tortillas
Extras:
- Plates
- Forks
- Bowls
- Napkins
- Cups
- Drinks
2. Lasagna
This meal is always a hit with most people. And it’s one of my favorites for feeding a crowd because I can make it ahead of time, freeze it, then pull it out to bake for the meal. The work is done!
- Make-Ahead Lasagna
- Tossed Salad
- Salad Dressings
- Buttered French Bread
- Green Beans
Extras:
- Plates
- Forks
- Bowls (for salad)
- Napkins
- Cups
- Drinks
3. Sub Sandwich Bar
This is an informal idea if you want to have fun and keep things simple. Let everyone build their sub to their liking, and at the end of the day, all you have to do is brush away a few crumbs!
- Hoagie Rolls
- Variety of Deli Meat (Ham, Turkey, Roast Beef, Salami)
- Variety of Sliced Cheeses
- Lettuce
- Tomato Slices
- Pickle Slices
- Banana Peppers
- Onion Slices
- Mayonaisse
- Mustard
- Honey Mustard
- Individual Chip Bags
- Fresh Fruit like Watermelon, Strawberries, and Grapes
- Veggie Tray with Ranch Dip
Extras:
- Plates
- Knives (for condiments)
- Forks (for fruit)
- Napkins
- Cups
- Drinks
This is incredibly delicious and wonderful for a summer wedding rehearsal dinner. Grill or smoke chicken thighs ahead of time and keep them warm in a roasting pan. Serve with summery sides – so easy and good!
- Simple Grilled Chicken
- Sauces for Chicken (like Bbq, Teriyaki, Sweet and Sour)
- Potato Salad
- Pasta Salad
- Baked Beans
- Watermelon
- Strawberries
- Grapes
- Rolls with Butter
- Veggies with Ranch
Extras:
- Plates
- Forks
- Napkins
- Cups
- Drinks
5. Easy Enchiladas
Make this Layered Cheesy Salsa Enchiladas casserole ahead of time and freeze it. Pull it out and bake it for an easy way to serve a crowd! Everyone loves this casserole!
- Layered Cheesy Salsa Enchiladas
- Tossed Salad
- Fresh Pineapple
- Chips and Salsa
- White Queso
Extras:
- Plates
- Forks
- Bowls (for fruit, for salad, or for salsa or queso)
- Napkins
- Cups
- Drinks
6. Grilled Burgers and Brats
If your rehearsal dinner is at a park or another location where there is access to a grill, it can be fun to have a cook-out!
- Good quality Hotdogs and/or Brats
- Hamburgers
- Hotdog and Hamburger Buns
- Sliced Cheese
- Sliced Onion, Pickles, Lettuce, and Tomatoes
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayonaisse
- Sweet Pickle Relish
- Baked Beans
- Potato Salad
- Chips
- Veggie Tray with Ranch Dip
- Watermelon
- Grapes
Extras:
- Plates
- Forks
- Knives
- Napkins
- Cups
- Drinks
Wedding Rehearsal Dinner Dessert Ideas
Special occasions like this call for special desserts! Here are a few ideas:
- Build a Brownie Sundae Bar
- Cheesecake
- Variety of Pies
- Selection of Cookies on trays
- Angel Food Cake with Strawberries and Whipped Cream
Bonus Idea: Set up an Iced Coffee Bar for your guests!
Our second son and his fiance (getting married his summer!) loved the lasagna idea and it works in their setting. So lasagna it is!
Have you made a wedding rehearsal meal before? What did you make?
Here in Virginia we decided with our 2 sons’ rehearsal dinners to go with barbecue. We ordered pans of pulled pork and pulled chicken, tasty sauces, cornbread, beans and potato salad. The first dinner was in a picnic shelter at a venue nowhere near our home so we could not prepare anything hot. The second wedding was at a church where we didn’t have kitchen access. The catering couple smoked the meat and was very helpful with delivery … super tasty and complimented by everyone. We were able to save costs by bringing in the sandwich buns, pies and cookies for dessert, the sweet iced tea and lemonade and all the paper goods, checkered tablecloths, fake candles and flowers in Mason jars for décor. Yes, there is prep work for the family even when going casual, but such great memories and interactions blessed by our Lord.
That sounds really fun
33 years ago next month I did the rehearsal dinner for our oldest son. I had chicken and dressing casserole, made by the bride’s mom, fried chicken tenders from my mom’s restaurant, green beans, cream corn, baked apples, cole slaw and yeast rolls. I don’t remember what the dessert was. HA!! My mom also did the apples and rolls from her restaurant. It was still lots of work before and after.
When our youngest son married we catered it. HA!! I only made a decorated cake as one of the desserts.
Almost 11 years ago I did our grandson’s reception. I did chicken salad on a couple different rolls, raw veggies, fruit, and a doughnut tower for the groom’s cake. I was almost passed going by the time it was over. I am for sure through with that kind of doings. I am too old for that much stress. HA!! I do appreciate the help from friends and family.
I would make lasagna with elbow macaroni instead. It’s cheaper, easier to serve and you can control portions.
I did my first rehearsal dinner 21 years ago for my oldest son. I made everything myself. It was salads – chicken, salad, tossed salad, shrimp salad, fruit salad and a cheese tray. I made 3 dozen yeast rolls, and ordered 3 dozen hoagie rolls. We also had chips and pretzels and 3 different chocolate cakes. Everyone raved about it which surprised me. It was affordable and toook me one day of work. 6 years ago I did my youngest son and had it catered. There were about 50 people and I got everything – food, beverages and desserts for $750 which was worth it to me because I did not have time or ability to make the food.
I’m about to host my fourth rehearsal dinner.
First one was about 30 years ago at my house and I honestly can’t remember what I cooked (I think enchiladas) but I did make a flower decorated cake and put fresh (safe) flowers in ice to float in the punch bowl.
The second dinner was held in a barn, so we went with a rustic theme and were able to have volleyball and other games set up outside. For food, I went with childhood/hometown favorites such as pizza (Chicago style), salads, cheese cake and favors of Garretts popcorn. I made the appetizers myself also including more childhood favorites.
The third dinner was at a ranch and during the pandemic so I had everything set up in individual serving. I made shot glass appetizers of ranch dip with veggies and hummus with pretzels. For dinner we made up individual boxed dinners using sandwiches from a local gourmet deli, locally made chips and pickle spears. Then for dessert I had a brownie bar with all the toppings you would normally have on an ice cream bar. We were again able to have games set up outdoors.
Three different rehearsal themes but they were all successes. They’re so fun to plan. I don’t know what I’m going to do yet for the upcoming rehearsal dinner but this article was super helpful!
So many great ideas here! We’re having a total of 10 at the rehearsal meal and will serve grilled chicken thigh salad including avocado, tomato, cucumber, red onion, mozzerella balls, dressed with pesto, serves with buttered cibatta bread.
We tried to think about a light, quick, easy to fix Meal that’s also tasty & filling. This fit the bill & I love that cibatta feels a little lighter than French bread.
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I am cooking my first in 2 weeks. Talk to me about rice! I am very nervous about how to do it. Should I bake it onsite? (I do have access to ovens.). Should I freeze and reheat in ovens or crock pots? I just don’t want it to be mushy.
For my sons rehearsal supper we grilled hamburgers and did a burger bar with all type of toppings to choose from. We also did cheesy potatoes, green beans with bacon, onions, salt and brown sugar; plus toss salad. For dessert we had fruit pizza (regular and gluten free) and crustless pecan pie. Now I’m looking ideas for my other son’s wedding in March.