Congratulations, you’re getting married! Now it’s time to start planning for all the exciting events to come, such as your rehearsal dinner. We’re here to provide you with all the decor and menu inspiration you could need to elevate your wedding weekend.

From decorating your tables to choosing what to serve, here are a few fun rehearsal dinner ideas and tips to get you started using a spring-themed, Southern-inspired dinner designed by our Dream Team. It was as gorgeous as it was delicious, and we hope it helps get you started on planning your own!

Style Your Night with A Theme

Maybe you want your rehearsal dinner to match the theme of your wedding, or maybe you’d prefer it stand alone or even be more casual. Whichever direction you go, use your theme to bring your rehearsal dinner decorations and design ideas to the table—literally! We chose to get seasonal with an airy, warm, garden-inspired theme. The tablescape was created with a burnt orange color palette with pops of terracotta and blue with gold accents. The large floral centerpieces full of whimsical greenery, glass bud vases with individual florals, and lemon slices on the goblets brought the airy spring feel to life.

Start with Delicious Hors D’oeuvres

Hors d’oeuvres aren’t a necessity, but they’re a great way to start the night off. If you’re stuck on choosing which appetizers to serve, we recommend starting with something familiar, whether that’s a hometown staple or your favorite food. You can even design your menu around your favorite cuisine! Our #DreamTeam menu included passed apps featuring a few Southern favorites — ancho spiced shrimp n’ grit cakes, mini pulled pork whoopie pies, and truffle fries.

Ancho Spiced Shrimp n’ Grit Cake

Seared Grit Cake | Ancho Shrimp | Red Pepper | Remoulade

Mini Pulled Pork Whoopie Pie

BBQ Pulled Pork | Jalapeño Whoopie Pie

Truffle Fries

Served with a side of garlic aoili

Decide On A Service Style

Do you want your rehearsal dinner to be a more formal affair or a bit more laid back? If you’re looking to keep things formal, opt for a plated dinner service. If you’re leaning toward a more casual night of conversation, go with food stations! Food stations are the perfect way to add variety to your menu while still sticking to a general theme, and they also allow your guests to mix and mingle throughout the night. We chose to go with our Southern comfort and biscuit bar stations to add some Southern flair to the menu. And pro tip: adding display signs to your stations ensures your guests will know exactly what they’re grabbing!

Southern Comfort Station

Hashbrown Casserole | Pulled Pork | Candied Bacon | Alabama White Sauce | Blackberry BBQ | Jack Daniels BBQ | Cole Slaw | Fried Green Tomato | Pickles | Jalapeño Corncake Crumble 

Biscuit Bar Station

Fried Chicken | Coca-Cola Ham | Candied Bacon Strips | Assorted Biscuits | Fried Green Tomato | Pimento Cheese | Jam & Jellies | Whipped Butter

Include A Fun Mocktail Bar

A mocktail bar is never a bad idea. It’s an easy way to include non-alcoholic drinks and also gives your guests a fun and interactive way to build their own! Ours included a variety of juices to use as base, such as lemon, grapefruit, orange, and cranberry; a few flavored syrups to mix things up, like blueberry and even lavender for a floral touch; and every garnish you could dream of—from fresh fruit and fragrant herbs, to sliced jalapeños, cucumbers, and edible flowers. The combinations are endless with a creative mocktail station.

Photos: Sabrina Englehart

Paper Goods: Regard

Rentals: EventWorks Rentals

Catering, Planning, & Florals: #DreamTeam