4 Things to do Instead of a Rehearsal Dinner

1. Bonfire & Cookouts

2. Welcome Brunch

3. Group Activity or Adventure

4. Sign your Marriage License

   
   

Bonfire & Cookouts

If you're a big outdoorsy couple or just love being surrounded by nature, then this is the pre-wedding party that might fit your vibe! Settle in by a bonfire, pop out the camping chairs, pass the drinks, and welcome all of your family and friends to a casual evening before your wedding day. This pre-wedding event will most likely take place at a separate location to your venue, but should be relatively close, to accommodate anyone who traveled in from out of town.

For almost all state and city parks you can actually reserve a campground or picnic area for a very cheap price! It's important to have visited the picnic shelter before hand to make sure it can accommodate all of your guests. Other things to consider are, decent shade if your wedding is in summer, space for activities, a designated fire pit, and grills for cooking.

Pictured below, at Zane & Chloe's wedding on San Juan Islands. They reserved a picnic area at Moran State Park and hosted this cookout for any of their friends and family to attend, if they arrived to the island early. This gave them moments to welcome their guests and cook one of their favorite family meals - pit roasted pork!

Reserve a Seattle picnic Shelter: https://www.seattle.gov/parks/rentals-and-permits/picnic-rentals

Welcome Brunch

Who doesn't love brunch?! Welcoming guests and family at a lowkey brunch is a perfect fit for those who know they are going to stay up late the next night or want to enjoy the summer day. You can picture charcuterie boards, snacks and apps, wine, or a mimosa spread! And don't worry it doesn't have to start too early. A welcome brunch anytime between 10am to 2pm will allow you to sleep in, but also not stay out too late.

Additionally a space to host this event does not have to break the bank, it can be as luxurious or DIY as you feel comfortable. Some of my favorite affordable spaces to rent out by the hour can be found on peerspace.com. This is perfect for couples who just need a space to invite guests but still want to manage most of the DIY aspects, including bringing their own food or drinks.

Similar to reserving a venue you can also host at a winery or cocktail bar! Many of these spaces will have in house catering, drinks, and a separate space, away from walk in customers, for you to reserve. Ideal for a casual welcoming, but you don't necessarily want to deal with bringing food or drinks. Even better if it's a place you frequently visit as a couple. Incorporating parts of your relationship into your space of choice makes for exciting stories and gives you a connection to feel comfortable in the space.

Group Adventure or Activity

My absolute favorite option? Get your guests moving or creating! At one pre-wedding mixer, a couple I worked with invited everyone to join in on live music and line dancing. There was even a screen-printing station for those who weren’t into dancing or movement-based activities. It was a great way for friends and family to learn something new while ensuring everyone had a fun and interactive experience. This gave guests engaging activities to participate in, rather than just drinking and mingling—which can be exhausting, especially with a big celebration the next day.

Another couple rented out South Gate Roller Rink for everyone! As a couple, they regularly visited the rink with friends, so it was the perfect way to share an important part of their relationship with their guests. So, slap on those roller skates and go for it—don’t worry about looking goofy or being clumsy! Everyone can move at their own pace, or simply watch from the sidelines with a slice of pizza in hand. It was such a sweet and lighthearted activity that anyone could enjoy.

Some other great ideas include renting out a karaoke bar, organizing your own 5K run, hiring a yoga instructor to lead a class, or setting up a group art project (think DIY collages or a sip-and-paint session). If you're struggling to come up with an idea, my best advice is to take something you already love and imagine it on a larger scale. Outdoorsy couples might plan a group hike or trip to the aquarium, while foodie couples could host a coffee tasting. The possibilities are endless!

Sign Your Marriage License

Your wedding day may be packed with plans, but one thing you don't want to forget is signing your marriage license! Consider skipping the rush on the big day and having a mini elopement the day or week before your actual ceremony with your closest family and friends. The people joining you will also serve as witnesses for your marriage license, making it a meaningful and intimate moment—especially if you're planning a large celebration the next day and want to create smaller, sentimental memories to cherish.

The best part? You can sign your license anywhere! Whether it’s at your favorite beach, a local park, or the spot where you had your first date, the choice is yours. Just remember that your signing date will be different from your ceremony date, so keep that in mind when filling out paperwork. However, don’t feel pressured to sign at your wedding venue—it's completely up to you! Start planning ahead to see if this option is the right fit for you and your partner.

So if you're still brainstorming alternatives for your rehearsal dinner then be sure to reach out! I can hopefully offer a little help and point you in the direction that works best for your relationship.