Who gives the first toast at a rehearsal dinner?

Who Gives a Rehearsal Dinner Toast? The host of the rehearsal dinner (traditionally the father of the groom in a heterosexual couple) gives the first speech. This person is followed by members of the wedding party that won't be speaking at the reception (typically anyone other than the maid of honor and the best man).


What is the order of toasts at a rehearsal dinner?

Rehearsal Dinner Toasts

The toast is often met by a "return toast" from the bride's father. Then it's open season—the mother's of the bride and groom, the best man and maid/matron of honor, other wedding attendants, family, and close friends.

Does the mother of the groom make a toast at the rehearsal dinner?

The mother of the groom can give a speech or just a toast at the rehearsal dinner, as she is one of the hosts of the event. There are some details that a speech should include, such as special memories, stories about the couple, and of course, the toast.


Who usually speaks at rehearsal dinner?

According to tradition, the mother and father of the groom give a speech during the rehearsal dinner. This is because traditionally the groom's parents hosted the rehearsal dinner while the bride's parents hosting the wedding.

Does the maid of honor give a toast at the rehearsal dinner?

Traditionally, rehearsal dinner speeches are given by the Father of the Bride or the Father of the Groom. Sometimes the Maid of Honor, Best Man and Bride, and Groom can give short rehearsal dinner speeches or toasts of their own, but it is not mandatory.


A Rehearsal Dinner Toast



Who should speak first at rehearsal dinner?

Who Gives a Rehearsal Dinner Toast? The host of the rehearsal dinner (traditionally the father of the groom in a heterosexual couple) gives the first speech. This person is followed by members of the wedding party that won't be speaking at the reception (typically anyone other than the maid of honor and the best man).

What is proper etiquette for a rehearsal dinner?

“There aren't really any hard and fast rules for rehearsal dinners,” says Whitmore. “It's really just a thank you to the people who are in your wedding party and a chance for the couple and their family and close friends to socialize prior to the big event.

What should mother of groom wear to rehearsal dinner?

If a wedding and rehearsal dinner invitation specify a theme or dress code, it must be respected. If the fine print says 'black tie', then the mother of the bride should wear a full-length gown (the same goes for the mother of the groom).


Does the mother of the groom give a speech?

While this speech has traditionally been given at rehearsal dinners, it's not unusual for the mother of the groom to speak at the wedding reception, either. If you're struggling to put words on paper to express the joy, happiness, and love you have for your son, you're not alone.

Do the parents of the groom give a toast?

Give a Toast

Traditionally, there's a father of the groom speech, as well. You'll want to keep your toast short and sweet, but be sure to tell your son how much you love them, address their new spouse, thank everyone for coming to the wedding, and offer some parting wisdom or advice for the newlyweds.

What should the mother of the groom not do?

Here are a few things a mother-of-the-groom shouldn't do.
  • Don't overshadow the bride's mother. ...
  • Don't act (or dress) like a bridesmaid. ...
  • Don't get too critical. ...
  • Don't steal the bride's spotlight with your mother-of-the-groom outfit. ...
  • Don't try to invite extra guests. ...
  • Don't skip the pre-wedding events.


What do groom's parents do at rehearsal dinner?

Traditionally, the groom's parents are the ones to plan and host the rehearsal dinner. They are usually also responsible for hosting any other welcome parties for the rest of the guests. They may want to utilize the couple's wedding planner to help with the event, or they can choose to plan it all on their own.

What do you say at your son's rehearsal dinner?

You can talk about how proud you are of them, what a joy it was to raise them, how much you've loved getting to know them as an adult, etc. You could also share a short story from their childhood that showcases your father-son bond.

Who should the groom toast?

The groom has a lot of people to thank – including the father of the bride, the guests, both sets of parents, his best man and groomsmen and the bridesmaids. He should compliment his bride and bridesmaids and lead toasts to them both.


How long should a rehearsal dinner last?

Two to three hours is a typical length for a rehearsal dinner. You can budget about 30 minutes for people to arrive and get settled, 60 to 90 minutes to eat, and another 30 minutes for speeches, gift-giving, or anything else on your agenda.

How do you start a rehearsal dinner speech?

1) Begin with the basics. There will probably be at least a few people at the rehearsal dinner who have never met you, so start by (1) saying hello, (2) introducing yourself, (3) welcoming everyone, and (4) expressing your enthusiasm for the upcoming wedding. Keep it brief.

What role does the groom's mother play?

Traditionally, the groom's mother will take care of the rehearsal dinner arrangements and help prepare the guest list for the groom's side of the family. Both tasks should be done with both the bride and the groom's input. Any other responsibilities can be negotiated among the families.


Who walks the mother of the groom to her seat?

As the wedding begins, the groom's mother will be escorted down the aisle, to the first pew, right-hand side, by the head usher or a groomsman who is a family member. A nice touch includes the groom escorting his mother down the aisle. As the groom's mother is escorted to her seat, her husband will follow along behind.

What duties does the mother of the groom have?

Mother of the Groom Roles and Responsibilities
  • Plan the Rehearsal Dinner. ...
  • Provide a List of Guests from the Groom's Side. ...
  • Following-up on Late RSVPs. ...
  • Help Guests with the Wedding Registry. ...
  • Help With Any Family Traditions. ...
  • Stand in Receiving Line.


Does mother of the groom give gifts at rehearsal dinner?

And then, of course, there's the rehearsal dinner: An event hosted in the couple's honor, most often by the parents of the groom. You're not expected to bring a gift to the couple at this event, but what about for the hosts themselves?


Does the mother of the groom pay for the rehearsal dinner?

Tradition dictates that the groom's family pays for the full cost of the rehearsal dinner, even though the bride's family and friends attend the event as well. That includes food, drink, venue fees, entertainment, and transportation.

What gifts are given at rehearsal dinner?

If it's not something they're meant to wear or have at the wedding—a gift card, beauty products, picture frame or wine paraphernalia—hand it out at the rehearsal dinner so they don't need to worry about keeping track of it throughout the busy wedding day. Find bridesmaid gift inspiration here.

What is the typical dress code for a rehearsal dinner?

"For formal rehearsal dinners (not black tie), men should wear dark suits and ties, and women should wear cocktail dresses or long gowns. For semi-formal rehearsal dinners, men should wear jackets, suit pants (or slacks) and ties, and women should wear cocktail dresses or pantsuits or dressy skirts and blouses.


What should you not wear to a rehearsal dinner?

The first rule of any wedding-related event is to never upstage the bride, and that certainly applies to the rehearsal dinner. If you're worried your outfit is too flashy or distracting, it probably is. “Wearing loud prints, sequins, or something overly sexy is another no-no,” says Warten.

Do you say your vows at the rehearsal dinner?

Your wedding rehearsal is a run-through of the main points of your ceremony. It's not a full version of your ceremony. So you won't actually say your vows or hear the officiant saying the words they will say on your big day.