First off you might have heard this also called a groom’s dinner, especially if you’re from the south! Traditionally it was a groom’s family’s responsibility to host this event while the wedding day was the bride’s family’s responsibility. Rehearsal dinners are a time to connect with family and friends, and get that quality time with them that you want because on your wedding day there isn’t time for extended quality time with all your important guests. This is a time when you have all of “your people” in one spot that doesn’t happen often, so make it a time where people want to linger, to connect with other people they may not have met yet, you never know you might end up connecting two people that end up inviting you to their rehearsal dinner! At rehearsal dinners there is typically time for people to stand up and give a few toasts. You will want to let your guests know this ahead of time so they have time to prepare if they want to. Allowing friends and family the opportunity to share memories, well wishes, and marriage advice is enjoyable to listen to but also to have recorded so you can look back on it for years to come. Having your videographer there to capture the rehearsal dinner mingling and toasts is a benefit because it allows them and your guests to warm up to each other before the wedding day. The connections are built and everyone is more comfortable on the wedding day. Your videographer also then knows who the important people are to the couple and can make sure he/she captures video of them on the wedding day!