Weddings

Rehearsal Dinner Checklist

A checklist for the night before the wedding: timing, seating, table design, lighting and rentals to book, with a simple timeline for the day.

August 12, 2026 · 6 min read

Backyard rehearsal dinner with a long table, candlelight and string lights at dusk

The rehearsal dinner is the first time both families sit together, and it sets the tone for the whole weekend. It tends to be small, warm and a little more relaxed than the wedding. The checklist below is built around that: fewer things, done with care.

Four weeks out

Confirm your headcount, including the wedding party, parents and out-of-town family.
Choose between one long table and several round ones. Long tables keep conversation together.
Decide indoor or outdoor and plan a weather backup.
Talk to the venue or the host about load-in time and any open flame restrictions.
Reserve rentals now: weekends in spring and fall book up early.

Two weeks out

Finalize the seating chart or decide on open seating.
Order napkins at 1.5 per guest and a few extra candlesticks.
Confirm lighting: string lights, candles or lanterns. Evening events need more than you expect.
Plan the toast order and a simple program.
Check your sound, even if it is only a small speaker for the toasts.

Lighting and candles

Warm cafe globe string lights across a stone wall at dusk

Warm Cafe String Lights, 48 ft

$28 each · 58 available

Brass Taper Candlestick

$6 each · 116 available

Glass Hurricane Candleholder

$5 each · 100 available

The table

One long table with a greenery garland down the center and candles in two heights is the simplest rehearsal dinner design. It looks generous, it is quick to set and it holds up to wind and weather. If you add flowers, keep them low so people can see each other.

The table

Eucalyptus garland down a wooden table with white candles

Lush Eucalyptus Table Garland

$42 each, 6 ft · 34 available

Stack of folded sage green linen napkins on a stone surface

Sage Linen Napkin

$1.75 each · 360 available

The day of

Morning: rentals arrive, tables and chairs placed, linens laid.
Early afternoon: candles and lights set, place cards out.
One hour before guests: light candles, test sound, check the bar.
Guests arrive, welcome drink in hand.
Dinner, toasts, and a quiet exit for the wedding party, who have an early morning.

Our Rehearsal Dinner Collection bundles linen, garland, candlesticks, hurricanes, string lights and napkins for 20 to 40 guests. It is delivered the morning of the dinner and collected the following morning, so nothing is in the way of the wedding.

Pieces mentioned

Like this? Get the next one

One short email when we publish a new guide.