Rehearsal Dinner

clonefreek

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Jun 24, 2009
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I am needing some help, we booked our rehearsal dinner for our wedding thinking we were just inviting our wedding party and parents. Well my future wife decided to change her mind and wants to invite everyone coming from out of town, like a crazy person. Does anyone know of a cheap BYOB and bring our own food place to rent in the des moines area?
 
I am needing some help, we booked our rehearsal dinner for our wedding thinking we were just inviting our wedding party and parents. Well my future wife decided to change her mind and wants to invite everyone coming from out of town, like a crazy person. Does anyone know of a cheap BYOB and bring our own food place to rent in the des moines area?

lakeside center in ankeny (if you or a family member lives in ankeny)
lions club center in Johnston
 
Walnut Woods State Park was super cheap for my friend throwing an anniversary party.
 
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We used Raccoon River Park shelter in West Des Moines, Hickory Park BBQ catered, and BYOB, which requires you to have a police officer on site, but all in all very reasonable for wedding party and all out of town family guests.
 
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We used Raccoon River Park shelter in West Des Moines, Hickory Park BBQ catered, and BYOB, which requires you to have a police officer on site, but all in all very reasonable for wedding party and all out of town family guests.
Samesies minus the Hickory Park.
I’d bet we had 50 people there.
 
I am needing some help, we booked our rehearsal dinner for our wedding thinking we were just inviting our wedding party and parents. Well my future wife decided to change her mind and wants to invite everyone coming from out of town, like a crazy person. Does anyone know of a cheap BYOB and bring our own food place to rent in the des moines area?

I think your first reaction was correct. The rehearsal dinner is for the wedding party. The reception is for everyone. Unless you got money to burn providing two banquet meals seem foolish. Maybe, just maybe you invite the immediate family, like gpa and gma if they want to attend.

My $.02 is I don't feel you are obligated or expected to invite them to rehearsal dinner on the other hand if you want to go for it. Your best bet is the catered option at a public reservable location.
 
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Reactions: octaviouspoon
I think your first reaction was correct. The rehearsal dinner is for the wedding party. The reception is for everyone. Unless you got money to burn providing two banquet meals seem foolish. Maybe, just maybe you invite the immediate family, like gpa and gma if they want to attend.

My $.02 is I don't feel you are obligated or expected to invite them to rehearsal dinner on the other hand if you want to go for it. Your best bet is the catered option at a public reservable location.

Yeah...no one expects this, so why would you burn money that you don't have to (or maybe you have money to burn?)
 
I am needing some help, we booked our rehearsal dinner for our wedding thinking we were just inviting our wedding party and parents. Well my future wife decided to change her mind and wants to invite everyone coming from out of town, like a crazy person. Does anyone know of a cheap BYOB and bring our own food place to rent in the des moines area?

On the BYOB places, there is a good chance you will have to pay an off duty cop. You can plan on a minimum of three hours for the cop, and $40/hour. Windsor Heights CC, Raccoon River and Johnston Lions Club all require an off duty officer if serving alcohol.
 
I am needing some help, we booked our rehearsal dinner for our wedding thinking we were just inviting our wedding party and parents. Well my future wife decided to change her mind and wants to invite everyone coming from out of town, like a crazy person. Does anyone know of a cheap BYOB and bring our own food place to rent in the des moines area?
She wants to invite all the out of towners to rehearsal dinner? So she basically just turned your rehearsal dinner into another reception.
 
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Buy a couple cases of pop, grab a grill and serve hot dogs. Say that since so many extra got invited, your budget was blown and that’s all you could afford. Then at your reception give your gifts to your groomsmen and let them know you are taking them out after the honeymoon to make up for the hot dogs.
 
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Does she know that these out of town guests would want to be included in the rehearsal dinner? Seems like most people would feel that they are infringing on a very specific party.
 

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