Cheap Rehearsal Dinner Ideas: Hosting an Affordable Wedding Rehearsal
The bridal party, sharing a rehearsal dinner at a restaurant.
By the time you’ve planned and paid for all your wedding expenses, your budget’s probably getting a bit tight. But there’s one last thing to pay for - your wedding rehearsal and dinner afterwards.
Sometimes the groom’s family will offer to pay for the rehearsal dinner, but many couples plan and pay for it themselves. If you’re paying yourselves, don’t worry, there’s lots of cheap rehearsal dinner ideas that are easy, delicious and fun.
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How to Save Money on Your Rehearsal Dinner
Keep the guest list small.
Book your dinner at a fun (and cheap) restaurant.
Plan your wedding rehearsal dinner at home.
Find cheap catering for your rehearsal dinner food.
DIY your rehearsal dinner food.
Keep the Guest List Small
You need to invite your bridal party, including the flower girl, ring bearer and their parents. Plus your own parents and siblings. If the officiant is attending your rehearsal, they should be invited, too.
Some rehearsal dinner etiquette says you should invite out of town guests, as well. If you’ve got the budget, it’s a nice gesture. But it’s not required. If you need to save money, keep your guest list as small as possible.
2. Book Your Dinner at a Fun (and Cheap) Restaurant
Sometimes finding a cheap but fun restaurant can cost less than you’d expect. Look for a Mexican restaurant with delicious margaritas. A pizza place with a wood burning oven.
Or an Italian restaurant with make your own pasta stations. Your guests will enjoy a unique and delicious meal. And you’ll enjoy staying on budget.
A group of rehearsal dinner guests sitting at the table outdoors. Image by Style Me Pretty.
3. Plan Your Wedding Rehearsal Dinner at Home
By planning your dinner at home, you can serve any type of food that fits your budget. You can find cheap catering, or order delivery from your favorite restaurant. If you like to cook, you can even DIY the meal.
As well as the food, you’ll save on drinks by planning an at home rehearsal dinner. You can shop the sales for soft drinks and water. Pick up your favorite wine from Trader Joe’s. It’ll be a lot cheaper than ordering drinks at a restaurant.
If there’s enough space for your entire guest list, you can plan a dinner party in your house. If you need more space, you can always plan a casual, backyard rehearsal dinner. If you don’t have a backyard, consider a local park, beach or garden.
4. Find Cheap Catering For Your Rehearsal Dinner Food
Traditional dinner catering can get expensive. If you’d like to have catered food, ask about the different options for cheaper food. Many caterers offer inexpensive food like taco bars or barbecue burgers.
You could also check your favorite restaurant for catering options. Many restaurant offer family sized dishes of their best selling meals. You can order ahead to have it delivered in time for your rehearsal dinner.
5. DIY Your Rehearsal Dinner Food
Cooking your own rehearsal dinner food can help keep costs down. Just make sure to do the math first. You’ll still need to buy your ingredients and drinks. Plus any dishes and decorations.
If you don’t want to make a whole meal, consider using some wedding charcuterie board ideas on a smaller scale to provide easy finger foods for your guests!
If you decide to DIY, make sure you have enough storage space for all your food. Keeping your food at the right temperature is critical. For a great guide, download the Wedding Food Safety Infographic from the USDA.
Backyard Rehearsal Dinner Ideas
A backyard rehearsal dinner is a great way to have a casual, inexpensive and fun party. You can choose any type of food to serve your guests.
You’ll be able to set up your tables and decor whenever you’re ready. The venue is free and you won’t need a reservation!
Easy Food Ideas For Your Backyard Rehearsal
Pizza Party
DIY Taco Bar
BBQ Burger Bar
Italian Restaurant Rehearsal
Grazing Table
Breakfast for Dinner
Chili Bar
Salad Bar
Mexican Fiesta
Evening Tea
Build-Your-Own Sandwiches Dinner
Potluck Rehearsal Dinner
Pizza Party Rehearsal Dinner
Making a DIY pizza dinner.
Who doesn’t love pizza? Choose your favorite pizza place and put in an order for an inexpensive rehearsal dinner. Save money by buying your beer, wine and soft drinks ahead of time at your local big box store.
If you want desserts, you can pick up some brownies, cupcakes or donuts, too.
How Many Pizzas Should You Order For a Rehearsal Dinner?
As a rule of thumb, you should order 3 slices for each adult and 2 slices for each child. Most large pizzas have 10 slices per pie, so it’s easy to do the math. For 19 adults and 2 children:
(19 x 3) + (2 x 2) = 61 slices of pizza
What Kind of Pizzas Should You Order?
If your guest list is small enough, you can ask people what their favorite toppings are. Or you can order an assortment that’s guaranteed to please everyone.
Margherita Pizza
Pepperoni Pizza
Veggie Pizza
The Works
Sample Budget For a Pizza Party Rehearsal Dinner
This budget is based on 19 adults and two kids. The guest list includes the couple, the officiant, 2 sets of parents, 4 bridesmaids, 4 groomsmen, the flower girl, the ring bearer and the kids’ parents.
The prices are rounded up, but yours might be a bit different, depending on where you live. Find the best prices by shopping ahead.
You can pick up your veggie tray, desserts and soft drinks at a big box store instead of ordering them from the restaurant.
$105 Pizzas ($15 x 7 pizzas)
$20 Veggie tray with dip
$25 Case of soft drinks
$10 Case of bottled water
$20 Case of beer
$60 Wine ($15 x 4 bottles)
$25 Desserts
$50 Invitations
$50 Decorations
Grand Total $365
How to Save Money on a Pizza Party Rehearsal Dinner:
Order Pickup Instead of Delivery
Ask someone to stop on the way home and pick up the pizzas. Give them a list, so they can check the order. You’ll save on delivery fees. Plus, you won’t need to wait around wondering where your driver is.
Order the Largest Size the Restaurant Offers
By ordering one king size pizza instead of two larges, you’ll pay less per slice. If you’re choosing the same toppings for most of the pizzas, you can save money by ordering the bigger sizes.
Look For Coupons and Sales
Lots of restaurants offer weekly deals and coupons. Watch your mailbox, or search online for local specials in the weeks before your rehearsal dinner.
Casual Rehearsal Dinner Invite. By: CadencePaige
2. DIY Taco Bar Rehearsal Dinner
A taco bar is easy to DIY, and fun for your guests to make their own plates. You can cook the fillings ahead of time, then serve them in crock pots to keep them warm.
The ingredients are inexpensive, so you can offer a full buffet for your guests. Choose your favorites from the list, and create a custom shopping list.
Shopping List For a DIY Taco Bar:
Flour tortillas
Hard shells
Taco Seasoning
Ground beef
Chicken
Refried beans
Black beans
Pinto beans
Shredded cheese
Tomatoes
Lettuce
Radishes
Onions
Peppers
Avocados
Mild, medium or hot sauce
Salsa or pico de gallo
Sour cream
Guacamole
Jalapeños
Black olives
Parsley
Cilantro
Limes
Sample Budget For a DIY Taco Bar Rehearsal Dinner
This budget is based on the same guest list as above - 19 adults and two kids.
$175 Ingredients for your taco bar
$25 Case of soft drinks
$10 Case of bottled water
$20 Case of beer
$60 Wine ($15 x 4 bottles)
$25 Desserts
$50 Invitations
$50 Decorations
Grand Total $415
Edit and Download. By: ConfettiShopDesign
3. DIY BBQ Rehearsal Dinner
If you’re planning a backyard rehearsal dinner, BBQ is a great choice for your food. If you’d like to use a theme, you can find tons of invitations and decorations with an I Do BBQ theme.
If you’ve got a small budget for your food, stick to burgers, buns and toppings. Plus a few side dishes.
If you’ve got some wiggle room in your budget, you could add hot dogs or sausages. Then round out the menu with some corn on the cob, coleslaw or salads.
Shopping List For a DIY Burger Bar
Hamburgers
Veggie burgers
Sausages
Hot dogs
Kaiser buns
Ciabatta buns
Onion rolls
Brioche buns
Cheese
Bacon
Tomatoes
Lettuce
Pickles
Onions
Condiments
Corn on the cob
Mixed green salad
Coleslaw
Potato salad
Pasta salad
Glitter Burger Bar Sign. By: RSVPpartydecor
Sample Budget For a DIY Burger Bar Rehearsal Dinner
This budget is based on the same guest list as the previous examples: 19 adults and two kids.
$225 Ingredients for your burger bar
$25 Case of soft drinks
$10 Case of bottled water
$20 Case of beer
$60 Wine ($15 x 4 bottles)
$25 Desserts
$50 Invitations
$50 Decorations
Grand Total $465
4. Italian Rehearsal Dinner at a Restaurant
An Italian table setting with wine, lemons, and greenery. Image via Pinterest.
If you want to host a cheap rehearsal dinner, but not at home, you can choose an inexpensive restaurant. Italian restaurants are a great choice for a group.
Find one that offers a set menu, that you can book ahead. You can usually offer your guests their choice of pasta, plus salads and garlic bread.
Sample Budget For an Italian Restaurant Rehearsal Dinner
This budget is based on the same guest list as above - 19 adults and two kids.
$570 Food (Set menu $30 per person x 19)
$30 Kid’s plates ($15 x 2 kids)
$475 Beverages ($25 per person x 19)
$20 Soft drinks for kids ($10 x 2 kids)
$50 Invitations
Grand Total $1,145
5. Grazing Table Rehearsal Dinner
A grazing table is the big brother of a charcuterie board. You’ll need the same variety of meats, cheeses, fruits, and crackers but on a much larger scale.
It allows you to choose high end ingredients for an elegant display while still staying under budget.
Choose a long table and cover it with parchment paper. Spoiler alert: this means less dishes to wash at the end of the event! Arrange the means first, then fill in the gaps with cheese, grapes, crackers, breadsticks, and nuts.
Buy enough so each person can have 2-3 pieces of each item. Offer small cocktail plates to help curb portions as well.
The best part is that you can fully customize this menu for preferences and allergies without having to buy additional ingredients.
Sample Shopping List for a Grazing Table
Sliced deli meats (salami, prosciutto, turkey)
Sliced cheeses (cheddar, provolone, gouda)
Wedge cheeses (brie, cambert, manchego)
An assortment of crackers (grab some gluten free ones too!)
Grapes
Sliced melon
Almonds
Dried fruit (mangos, apricots, craisens)
Pretzels
Sample Budget
This budget is based on a guest list of 19 adults and two children.
Deli meats $100
Assorted cheeses $75
Assorted fruit $50
Nuts $40
Crackers $15
Pretzels $10
Plates and cutlery $30
Parchment paper $10
Invitations $50
Decorations $50
Grand total: $430
6. Breakfast for Rehearsal Dinner
A plate of waffles and other breakfast foods. Image by Empty Nest Blessed.
Breakfast is notoriously affordable, making it a great choice for a cheap rehearsal dinner. Offer a mix of tried-and-true breakfast foods.
Ask your friends and family if they have waffle makers or griddles you can borrow to make cooking for a crowd easier.
Boxed pancake mix is super cheap and can be used to make waffles as well. Eggs, breakfast sausage, and bacon are also relatively affordable. Account for about 3 pieces of protein per person.
So three eggs, three pieces of sausage, etc. Offer some fresh fruit and OJ and you’ve got a delicious meal!
Have a bit of extra funds in your budget? Grab some champagne for mimosas and extra toppings to make decadent Belgian waffles.
Sample Shopping List
Eggs
Bacon
Sausage
Pancake mix
Powdered sugar
Sliced fruit (Cantelope, berries, pineapple, seasonal fruits)
Bell peppers
Onions
Salt and pepper
Hot sauce
Bread for toast
Sample Budget
This budget is based on a guest list of 19 adults and two children.
5 dozen eggs $20
3 packs of bacon $15
3 boxes breakfast sausage $20
3 boxes pancake/waffle mix $10
Powdered sugar $5
Sliced fruits $20
Bell peppers $8
Onions $5
Seasonings $10
Hot sauce $10
Bread $15
Juices $10
Case of bottled water $10
Invitations $50
Decorations $50
Grand total: $258
7. Plan a Potluck
Believe it or not, potlucks are becoming increasingly popular choices for rehearsal dinners. Each guest will sign up for and bring a dish to share with the group.
Typically, the host will provide the protein and beverages, and the guests will each bring a side dish or dessert. You’ll also be responsible for the serving utensils, plates, cutlery, and paper products needed for a smooth dinner.
You can pick a theme or create a list of your favorite foods and have guests choose what to bring. Be clear with what you are providing and have a friend or family member organize contributions so there isn’t too much of one thing.
Shopping List for a Potluck
Rotisserie Chickens
Pork Loin for Shredded Pork
Plastic forks, knives, and spoons
Paper plates
Serving spoons and platters
Table cloths
Seasoning (salt, pepper)
Condiments (ketchup, mustard, hot sauce)
Soft drinks
Water
Sample Budget
This budget is based on a guest list of 19 adults and two children.
$40 of rotisserie chickens
$50 of pork lions
$25 of plastic cutlery
$12 paper plates
$25 of soft drinks
$10 of bottled water
$20 of serving spoons
$10 seasonings
$20 condiments
$50 invitations
$50 decorations
Grand Total: $312
8. Chili Rehearsal Dinner
Hosting a winter wedding? A hot bowl of chili really hits the spot! Plus, it’s easy to make for a large crowd on a budget.
DIY a few varieties of chili, including a vegetarian/vegan one if needed. Then, load up on toppings so each guest can customize their bowl.
Add some beverages and you’ll have an impressive wedding rehearsal feast for a fraction of the price of a restaurant meal.
Chilli Cookout Sample Shopping List
Ground beef
Ground Turkey
Impossible Meat
Beans
Canned tomatoes
Seasonings
Onions
Peppers
Broth
Corn
Sour cream
Tortilla chips
Shredded cheese
Rolls
Soft drinks
Hot sauce
Herbs
Sample Budget
This budget is based on a guest list of 19 adults and two children.
10 lb ground beef $40
5lb ground turkey $15
1lb Impossible meat $10
Canned tomatoes $10
Canned beans $10
Shredded cheese $15
Sour cream $10
A variety of peppers $10
5 lbs onions $5
Broth $5
Corn $5
Tortilla chips $10
Rolls $10
Soft drinks $20
Bottled water $10
Hot sauce $10
Fresh herbs $10
Invitations $50
Decorations $50
Grand total $305
9. Salad Bar Rehearsal Dinner
A person reaching for tongs amongst a large group of salad toppings. Image by EatingWell.
Salad transforms from a side to a main course when you offer an array of exciting ingredients beyond your basic lettuce.
Put together a mix of proteins, fresh veggies, and gourmet salad dressings to elevate the dishes. This is an easy spread to DIY if you don’t mind prepping the veggies and toppings ahead of time.
But you’ll be able to set out the salad bar and have guests serve themselves, cutting costs and allowing everyone to get exactly what they want.
Sample Salad Bar Shopping List
Lettuce
Fresh Spinach
Onions
Tomatoes
Cucumbers
Shredded cabbage
Shredded carrots
Bell peppers
Grilled chicken
Popcorn chicken
Shredded pork
Sliced steak
Roasted chickpeas
Croutons
Salad dressing
Shredded or cubed cheese
Wraps
Sample Budget
Fresh produce of your choice $75
Salad dressings $25
Shredded cheese $20
Croutons $10
Wraps $10
Grilled chicken $20
Sliced steak $25
Cans of chickpeas $5
Popcorn chicken $15
Shredded pork $20
Cans of soda $20
Bottled water $10
Invitations $50
Decorations $50
Grand total $365
10. Mexican Fiesta
Tacos are just a small segment of the vast variety that Mexican food offers. There are plenty of crowd-pleasing dishes that are inexpensive and easy to make in bulk.
Plus, many Mexican dishes are inexpensive, naturally gluten free and easily made vegetarian, so it’s a great cuisine to serve to a large group.
Select one or two proteins, rice, beans, and some veggies. If you have room in your budget, you can add fried appetizers like tostones, to add more variety. A quesadilla station is a fun addition where guests can fill and toast their own tortilla.
Sample Shopping List
Rice
Beans
Adobo seasoning
Chicken thighs
Pork chops
Sofrito
Tortilla chips
Salsa/Pico de Gallo
Flour and corn tortillas
Jalapenos
Plantains
Sample Mexican Feast Budget
10lb bag of rice $10
Cans of beans $10
Seasonings $15
Chicken thighs $25
Pork Chops $35
Tortilla chips $15
Salsa $10
Shredded cheese $15
Tortillas $10
Veggies $15
Plantains $5
Oil $10
Invitations $50
Decorations $50
Grand total $275
11. Evening Tea Rehearsal Dinner
A large table setting of high tea hand foods, including pastries and tea pots. Image via Pinterest.
If you had a Bridgerton bridal shower or this theme is just part of your personality, an evening tea will not only fit your vision, but be extremely affordable to pull off. Plus, the evening tea vibe will be elegant and relaxed.
Set up a fun tea station, complete with both hot and iced teas. Offer fun mix-ins like honey, berries, lemon, and edible flowers.
Depending on the size of your crowd, you can thrift authentic tea cups and give them as party favors! You can even hand out white gloves to your female guests so they can get into the groove of a fancy tea party!
Sample Shopping List
A variety of teas
Pinwheel sandwiches
Mini finger sandwiches
Fruit skewers
Mini pastries
Cookies
Breadsticks
Quiches
Mini pies
Vegetable platter
Sample Budget
Teas $25
Pinwheel sandwich supplies $40
Mini tea sandwich supplies $40
Fruit for skewers $35
Cookies $20
Mini pastries $15
Quiche supplies $20
Veggie tray $15
Beverages $25
Invitations $50
Decorations $50
Grand total $310
12. Build-Your-Own-Sandwiches
Make-your-own stations make for excellent budget-friendly meals. Sandwiches may sound simple, but you can easily upgrade this spread with bakery fresh bread, interesting flavor profiles, and fun condiments.
Invite guests to build their own sandwich. Post a “menu” of flavor combos that they may not think of. Offer a side of potato chips and sliced fruits. This is a great way to make your sandwich station fancy and stay well within budget!
Sample Shopping List
Sliced bread
Rolls
Turkey
Roast beef
Ham
Sliced cheese
Pesto
Condiments (ketchup, mayo, mustard)
Shredded lettuce
Sliced tomatoes and onions
Pickles
Chips
Sliced fruit (go seasonal to save money)
Sample Budget
Various loafs of bread $25
Rolls $15
Sliced turkey $20
Sliced ham $20
Roast beef $20
Sliced cheese $30
Pesto and condiments $25
Shredded lettuce $10
Tomatoes $10
Onions $8
Pickles $5
Various chips $20
Sliced fruit $30
Grand total $238
Cheap Rehearsal Dinner Drink Ideas
While feeding a crowd is important, you’ll definitely need drinks to accompany the meal. Budget friendly options like bottled water, soda, and juices are great staples that will keep costs low.
If you want to offer alcohol or mocktails, you’ll need to put a little more money towards these items. Offer one mocktail in addition to nonalcoholic drinks or purchase items in bulk at a big box store to stay within budget.
Here are some options for cheap rehearsal dinner drinks.
Infused Water: add cucumbers, lemon, or mint to water. Water is free and these add-ins are inexpensive but big on flavor.
Soda: Shop around for the best deals. Many stores offer big deals around major holidays, so keep an eye out for price drops.
Hard Seltzer: These items are inexpensive by the case, so you can offer an adult beverage on a budget.
Wine: Go for boxed wine or buy in bulk at Costco to keep costs low
Bellinis: A mixture of Prossecco and juice, you can stay in budget by options for low-cost juices to mix with the alcohol, meaning you won’t have to buy as much.
Mimosas: When you mix champagne and orange juice, you get a refreshing beverage. This pairs well with a brunch menu and is relatively inexpensive to create.
Sangria: Use frozen fruit to make this delicious frozen beverage. It will cut costs and water down the alcohol a bit, making it last longer.
A bartender mixing alcoholic drinks behind the bar. Image by Marseille.
Dos and Don’ts When Hosting Your Rehearsal Dinner
Do make a budget: This should be your first and most important step. Budgets allow you to plan your vision around what you can afford. This will help you avoid disappointment and overspending.
Don’t overextend yourself: Wedding planning is stressful, so don’t go overboard on the rehearsal dinner. This event is a small thank you to those closest to you and a chance to relax and chat.
Do keep it small: Invite only the essential people: parents, siblings, and wedding party members. You can also invite their spouses and significant others so long as you keep the count as low as possible.
Do make a self running playlist: Music can transform any event! Make a fun playlist of your favorite romantic songs or music you and your partner love. Set up a bluetooth speaker and let the tunes play throughout the evening.
Don’t forget about dietary restrictions: There’s nothing worse than showing up to a party and realizing you cannot eat any of the food. Ask each guest to make you aware of any dietary needs they have. That way, you can ensure there is something on the table for everyone.
Do make a list: Shopping can be overwhelming! Create a paper list or one on the notes app in your phone and check off each element as you buy it. Don’t forget to annotate with cost so you can keep your budget updated and reallocate funds if needed.
Don’t forget to ask for help: Your friends and family want to help make this process as smooth as possible. Don’t be afraid to ask for help shopping, chopping, and setting up your dinner.
Do prep as much as possible: The more prep you do ahead of time, the easier the dinner will go. Carve out some time to do all the cleaning, chopping, and arranging before the day of.
Don’t overshadow your wedding: It’s easy to go overboard when you’re hosting an event. But remember that your big day is around the corner, so your rehearsal dinner should be a small, intimate, relaxed affair.
Do enjoy yourself: You’ve worked so hard for this day! Relax and enjoy your rehearsal dinner!
Keep it Simple
When you’re planning your rehearsal dinner, remember to keep it simple. You actually want it to be short and sweet. After all - your wedding is the next day! You don’t want anyone peaking too early.
Offer the nicest dinner that fits your budget. Take the time to give your bridal party a heartfelt thank you. As long as you do that, you’ll have a memorable and unique wedding rehearsal dinner.
Affordable Rehearsal Dinner FAQs
How Much Should I Spend on My Rehearsal Dinner on a Budget?
This depends on your unique situation and amount of guests but try to stay under $500 when hosting a budget-friendly rehearsal dinner.
Are There Any Cheap Rehearsal Dinner Foods I Should Avoid?
Avoid overlooking guests’ food allergies and offering low-quality foods that may not fill up your guests.
Should I Provide Alcohol at My Budget Rehearsal Dinner?
This is totally up to you! If you choose to provide alcohol, stick with a signature cocktail or one type of alcohol, like champagne, and mixers.
Who Should I Account for When Making My Rehearsal Dinner Budget?
Your rehearsal dinner budget should include the bride and groom, the wedding party, plus their significant others, as well as the parents and siblings of the bride and groom. It’s up to you whether or not you include children who are not in the wedding party.
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Bridal party at a casual, backyard rehearsal dinner.
