Rehearsal Dinner

These are some cheap ideas:

BBQ: Its cheap and relaxing and you can even make it like a pot-luck. Everyone involved is or should be close to you so they will understand the cost of the wedding is enormous.

In the same idea you could do a pizza party with macaroni & potato salad with chips. They dont need two lavish dinners back to back, besides the bride and groom need time to relax and will sleep better with a lighter meal on their stomachs.

If you do it this way, people will be more at ease and will feel comforable in shorts and flip flops.

GOOD LUCK & Happy planning

This is a B-B-Q menu I use quite often and will use again for my sons rehearsal dinner, it’s a big hit. I marinate overnight tri-tip in margarita mix, tequila and garlic (slice the beef thin after cooking) and boneless chicken breasts (cut in 1/2 after cooking) in margarita mix, tequila, orange juice and garlic (I think the original recipe was from the Bon Appetit web site). Grill Portobello mushrooms brushed with olive oil and garlic (cut in 1/2 after cooking). Green salad and garlic bread is usually sufficient. To step it up a notch add grilled veggies, corn on the cob, potato salad. I usually feed 75+ people for less than $200. Of course wine beer and margaritas would up the budget. It`s a fun relaxing way for people to get together.

I had a rehearsal dinner catering barbecue in my backyard....I got the barbecue from this restaurant close to me in burlington, ma. I was able to have it cheaper b/c I didn`t need to rent a hall and they brought it to me and set it up. So I just needed to work on getting my house ready and didn`t need to be slaving over a stove. There was plenty of food and no one left hungry. Check them out.

Http://www.lestersbbq.com

A lot of my brides are going to BBQ or catfish or both for the rehearsal. They like the idea of keeping it more casual, since everyone will dress up the next day for the wedding. The cost is usually unbeatable! Most regions, it will run you about $3.50-5 per person. Have it in someone`s back yard or at the church hall if it`s free. Decorate with red bandana fabric, silk sunflowers, cactus in pots, etc. Very inexpensive! Put your drinks in ice in big washtubs. They will all enjoy it!