Lilybrooke on "The Redesigned Rehearsal"

Posted on Thu, Jan. 13, 2011





The redesigned rehearsal

Anna Sachse

CTW Features

Historically, rehearsal dinners have been an intimate restaurant affair for immediate family, wedding party members and their significant others, and the parents of any child attendants. However, in recent years, there has been a shift toward opening up these traditional celebrations to more guests, as well as branching out from the standard sit-down meal.

Here, two wedding planning experts weigh in on the why and how of a more inclusive and creative pre-big day party.

The Perks

Weddings generally bring together many people from many different backgrounds, notes Brooke Sheldon, owner of Lilybrooke Events in Kennebunkport, Maine. “Having everyone get together at the rehearsal dinner serves as an ice-breaker – by the time the reception rolls around, everyone is already old friends.”

It’s also a great way to ensure you – the bride! – actually get to spend quality time with all your nearest and dearest. “The wedding day goes by so fast, and the couple may feel pulled in many different directions,” says Wendi Hroncich, founder of Seattle-based Ethereal Events. Hosting a more inclusive rehearsal dinner decreases the big day pressure on the bride and groom, and allows for more relaxed hanging out.

The Guest List

If you have the inclination and the budget, go ahead and include everyone in your rehearsal festivities. But if you must draw the line somewhere, just make sure your invite list is consistent.

For example, due to the time and expense involved in traveling, destination-wedding rehearsal dinners have typically involved all the guests, says Sheldon. Playing off that trend, many stateside wedding couples are now opting to include all out-of-town guests in the day-before bash. Others might prefer to host all their extended family members.

The Party

If the guest list is small or money is little or no object, the rehearsal dinner is a lovely way to add a playful or unconventional element to your gala. Hroncich has had couples treat guests to the famed interactive dinner show Teatro ZinZanni, or spring for dinner cruises that show off the city skyline. Sheldon coordinated a fireworks-filled July Fourth lobster bake on a river. The couple had a private, tented section of lawn for several hundred guests, but selected a space next to a public pops concert for free entertainment. Other creative options include a catered affair at a cool space like an aquarium or racetrack, or picking a unique theme like Old Hollywood or a luau.

That said, by no means is it necessary to spend a fortune to have a fabulous fête. Your real focus should be having a rehearsal dinner that feels like it represents who you are as a couple, and fits in with the rest of your wedding weekend events, says Hroncich. A backyard BBQs, a picnic in the park, a pizza party on the patio or a taco truck and s’mores on the beach are all great bets.

“If you have a fun location, then be casual with the meal,” says Sheldon. “The enjoyment is really about the atmosphere you create.”

Craig Paulson Photography

Today I had lunch with award winning New York City photographer, Craig Paulson. Craig is a fun Aussie who has had an interesting career working and doing things he loves. After growing up in Australia, he moved to London to work alongside a photographer. He traveled the world taking photos and eventually ended up in NYC where he currently has a thriving wedding business.

I met Craig this summer as he photographed a wedding that I coordinated in Biddeford Pool, Maine. His behind the scenes style is always welcomed and his professionalism prior to, during and after the wedding is outstanding. My bride and groom met Craig while he was photographing a friend's wedding. The couple was not yet engaged, but they proclaimed to Craig that he would be shooting their wedding. And true to their statement, days after their engagement, Craig was one of the first people they called.

The relationship between wedding planner and photographer can be a bit rocky at times. The photographer has a goal of taking as many great photos of the bride and groom as possible while the wedding planner has the goal of keeping everything on schedule and making sure that the bride and groom do get great photos, but also are able to have enough time to attend their reception.

It's not a hard formula to figure out, but all vendors have to be honest with each other about their expectations and their needs. We all have the same goal of making the bride and groom happy.

Craig was a pleasure to work with. He has amazing photos and I'm thrilled to now call him a friend.

A Laudholm Seaside Wedding

Sarah and Rob are a Colorado couple with New England ties, so when they came to Maine for their wedding, the combination of St. Ann's outside chapel and Laudholm Farm provided the obvious setting for their wedding.

The bride worked tirelessly to provide numerous small details of her and Rob's favorite things. From personalized packages of lavender that were tossed during the recessional, to jars of Maine blueberry jams and mustards that were given as guests departed the reception.

The bride made flags that hung from inside the tent and each dinner table was decorated with unique vintage linens that were a mix of family linens and those picked up throughout the year at area sales. The centerpieces were

a mixture of wild flowers placed in a fabulous variety of silver pieces at varying heights.

Guests enjoyed a cocktail hour at the top of the hill, while dinner was inside a sailcloth tent with dessert and dancing following in the historic barn who's doors were draped with dramatic burlap.

Wedding Coordinator: Brooke Sheldon, Lilybrooke Events

Venue: Laudholm Farm, Wells, Maine

Caterer: Kitchen Chicks

Florist: Beautiful Day's

Photographer: David Murray Weddings

Hair: All Seasons Day Spa

Transportation: Kennebunkporter