A rehearsal dinner is usually smaller and less formal than the wedding reception. It brings together the wedding party, close family and guests who traveled in early, and it gives everyone a chance to relax before the wedding day. Many couples choose a casual meal for this evening, and barbecue is a popular choice.
Why Barbecue Works for a Rehearsal Dinner
Barbecue is easy to serve to a group, and most guests are familiar with it. Smoked meats and homemade sides hold up well on a buffet, so guests can eat when they are ready instead of waiting for plated courses. A barbecue menu also costs less per person than many formal dinners, which helps when the reception is the larger expense.
Casual Rehearsal Dinner Ideas
- A backyard dinner at a family home. A buffet on a patio or in the yard works well for a relaxed evening with family and the wedding party.
- Dinner at the rehearsal site. If the ceremony location allows outside food, a simple buffet after the rehearsal keeps everyone in one place.
- A park pavilion. A rented pavilion is an affordable option for a larger guest list.
- Family-style tables. Long tables with shared platters encourage the two families to sit together and talk.
Planning the Menu
Two or three meats and two or three sides are enough for most rehearsal dinners. Brisket and pulled pork are the most popular pair, and ribs or sausage add variety. For sides, mac ’n’ cheese, BBQ beans, coleslaw and potato salad suit most guests. Plan on about one third to one half pound of cooked meat per adult. Our guide to how much BBQ to plan per person has more detail.
Ask guests about dietary needs when you send the invitations, so you can plan for them ahead of time.
Timing and Guest Count
Rehearsal dinners usually start after the rehearsal, in the late afternoon or early evening. Most include the wedding party, their partners, immediate family and out-of-town guests, which often adds up to 20 to 50 people. Confirm your final guest count with your caterer as early as you can.
Rehearsal Dinner Catering at Stampede
Stampede Barbecue caters rehearsal dinners for groups of 15 or more. Our packages are priced per person and include dinner rolls and our BBQ sauce:
- Value Package: 2 meats and 2 sides for $25.75 per person
- Standard Package: 2 meats and 3 sides for $28.50 per person
- Stampede Package: 3 meats and 3 sides for $34.50 per person
A Custom Package is also available and is priced to order. You can choose drop-off catering for a relaxed evening or full-service catering that covers setup through cleanup. We recommend booking at least 3 to 4 weeks ahead. If you are also planning the reception, see our wedding catering page. To get started, request a quote on our catering page and we will get back to you within 24 business hours with pricing and availability.