How to Decorate Rehearsal Dinner Tables

The rehearsal dinner allows you and your closest friends and family to celebrate with one another the night before the wedding. Held after the ceremony rehearsal, the meal is a time to celebrate in a more intimate setting than the wedding reception itself, where more guests will likely be in attendance. Enhance the atmosphere at your rehearsal dinner with table decorations that suit your style, whether casual or formal.

Instructions

1

Select plain linens to provide a backdrop for the rest of your table decorations. Choose a solid, neutral color for your tablecloth and napkins, such as black or white. If you prefer, choose linens that coordinate with the colors of your wedding.

2

Place handmade centerpieces in the middle of your tables. Fill plain vases with flowers you will use in the wedding and tie a decorative ribbon around each. Choose vases and flowers that are not too tall to make it easier for guests to converse across the table during the dinner.

3

Put LED candles in a variety of colorful glass containers and set them on your tabletops. Use candles, if you prefer, but LED lights are safer. Vary the containers, depending on your taste and the theme of the event. For a western-themed rehearsal dinner, for example, select glass containers with details such as a Texas star or a horse.

4

Set handmade name cards at each guest's place. Purchase these from a local printing store or create your own using a computer and inkjet printer. Add any details to reflect your theme. Embellish them with stickers, rhinestones or metallic inks.

5

Scatter framed photographs of the bride- and groom-to-be among the decorations on the tables. Purchase matching frames or choose ones of varying sizes and colors that coordinate with your theme. Display photographs that document the journey of their courtship to give guests a glimpse of all stages that led to the wedding.