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50+ Fun Ideas for Your Rehearsal Dinner

It’s almost the big day! Your rehearsal dinner is the perfect opportunity to relax and enjoy the celebration with your wedding party, family, and friends. Make it special with a few of these ideas for inspiration.

By: Mary Wozniak

Enter Slideshow
  • Fun Themes

    Fun Themes

    Build your theme around a favorite location or hobby, like this beach and fishing-themed celebration held near a marina with gorgeous sunset views.

    Photo Credit: Ellen Roy Photography

  • Fun Themes

    Fun Themes

    Treat your wedding party to a beachfront luau, complete with traditional Hawaiian music and hula dancing.

  • Fun Themes

    Fun Themes

    Head out to the ranch for a cowboy cookout, or simply transform your backyard with gingham, mason jars, and other rustic décor.

    Photo Credit: Photography by Verdi

  • Fun Themes

    Fun Themes

    A colorful fiesta theme is instant fun. Go all out with a Mexican menu — don’t forget the mojitos!

  • Delightful Décor

    Delightful Décor

    He stole your heart... these clever cups foretell tomorrow’s big event.

  • Delightful Décor

    Delightful Décor

    Honor your wedding party and special guests with pretty heart wine glass charms.

  • Delightful Décor

    Delightful Décor

    Your lobster fest is more fun with a punny “for butter or for worse.”

  • Delightful Décor

    Delightful Décor

    Tomorrow’s the day, and it’s going to be fabulous! This hand painted sign is made from reclaimed wood.

  • Unique Stationery

    Unique Stationery

    Thank the ones who helped make it happen with this lovely printable dinner menu.

    Photo Credit: Dainty Printables

  • Unique Stationery

    Unique Stationery

    Set the stage and introduce the cast of characters with a fun playbill program.

    Photo Credit: Grand Way Press

  • Unique Stationery

    Unique Stationery

    Share your love story with a customized and printable dinner menu.

  • Unique Stationery

    Unique Stationery

    You’ve planned a fun weekend! Get all the details in one place with a charming custom itinerary.

  • Unique Stationery

    Unique Stationery

    Map out the festivities with a custom map. Be creative and add special locales, like the scene of your first date or the proposal site.

    Photo Credit: BP Calligraphy/Etsy

  • Unique Stationery

    Unique Stationery

    Have fun with a unique invitation, like this vintage postcard with a movie billboard design.

    Photo Credit: Beyond Design/Etsy

  • Memorable Locations

    Memorable Locations

    Take your crew to the bowling alley for a laid-back get together with casual fare.

  • Memorable Locations

    Memorable Locations

    A beautiful dockside location is perfect for a sunny, warm weather rehearsal dinner.

  • Memorable Locations

    Memorable Locations

    Opt for a romantic winery setting.

  • Memorable Locations

    Memorable Locations

    Enjoy the sun and sand with a scenic waterside location.

  • Memorable Locations

    Memorable Locations

    An innovative locale, such as this elegant art gallery, sets the scene for an unforgettable celebration. 

  • Fun Themes

    Fun Themes

    Think outside the box. Guests at this Goonies-themed rehearsal dinner enjoyed the cult classic on an inflatable movie screen.

  • Entertainment

    Entertainment

    Gather around the fire pit. S’mores would be a nice touch.

  • Entertainment

    Entertainment

    Imaginative entertainment keeps things lively. This dreamy island celebration included swaying palm trees, a steel drum band, and exciting fire dancers.

    Photo Credit: Monarch Studio

  • Entertainment

    Entertainment

    You’ll definitely want some tunes. Music can enhance your décor and theme — this rehearsal dinner held in a rustic restored barn featured a banjo player and fiddler.

  • Innovative Menus

    Innovative Menus

    The rehearsal dinner is your chance to have some fun with a colorful and quirky cake design, like this lovebird cake. 

    Photo Credit: Pink Cake Box

  • Innovative Menus

    Innovative Menus

    All you need is love... and ice cream. Add these cute wooden spoons for a sweet treat.

  • Innovative Menus

    Innovative Menus

    You’ll want to pop open a bit of the bubbly. Even better: DIY champagne popsicles with pretty edible flowers.

    Photo Credit: Cooking with Janica

  • Innovative Menus

    Innovative Menus

    Offer a signature beverage like this oh-so-pretty spring blossom cocktail.

    Photo Credit: Bird's Party

  • Innovative Menus

    Innovative Menus

    Offer a taste of what’s to come with “wedding cake” popcorn. DIY a popcorn buffet with custom flavored seasonings and labels from In Nonna's Kitchen.

  • Innovative Menus

    Innovative Menus

    Enjoy some brews before “I dos” with this chalkboard craft beer menu.

    Photo Credit: MJN Doodles/Etsy

  • Innovative Menus

    Innovative Menus

    Get your guests up and mingling with an interactive food station like this oyster bar.

  • Innovative Menus

    Innovative Menus

    A beach lobster fest is perfect for your nautical theme or destination wedding.

  • Innovative Menus

    Innovative Menus

    Everyone loves an old-fashioned barbecue. Direct your guests to the fun with this handmade rustic signage.

    Photo Credit: Craft Mart Texas/Etsy

  • Innovative Menus

    Innovative Menus

    Think beyond the formal plated dinner for your menu. Guests at this casual but stylish affair enjoyed wood-fired build-your-owns pizzas.

  • Delightful Décor

    Delightful Décor

    One more day! Count down to the main event with custom cocktail napkins.

  • Delightful Décor

    Delightful Décor

    Let ‘em know you’re “getting hitched”!

    Photo Credit: Photography by Verdi

  • Delightful Décor

    Delightful Décor

    Creativity is key for a fun and vibrant décor. Add bright and cheerful garden flowers to these multi-hued tin cans for a knockout centerpiece.

  • Special Gift Bags & Favors

    Special Gift Bags & Favors

    Have a Coke with your wedding party! Custom labels make for a fun beverage and a great favor.

  • Special Gift Bags & Favors

    Special Gift Bags & Favors

    Welcome everyone to the festivities with customized gift bag notes or tags.

    Photo Credit: 76th Street Ink/Etsy

  • Fun Group Activities

    Fun Group Activities

    Every dinner guest will offer words of wisdom to the happy couple with these double-duty coasters.

    Photo Credit: Lucky Bee Press/Etsy

  • Fun Group Activities

    Fun Group Activities

    Offer a trivia challenge based on your theme, like this '80s trivia game.

  • Fun Group Activities

    Fun Group Activities

    Create instant memories of the festivities with a Polaroid camera station.

  • Fun Group Activities

    Fun Group Activities

    Your guests will enjoy sharing memories of your love story.

  • Fun Group Activities

    Fun Group Activities

    Pick teams for a friendly game of corn hole with these custom corn hole boards, upcycled from reclaimed wood.

  • Fun Group Activities

    Fun Group Activities

    Get the golfers out on the green for a fun putting contest.

  • Fun Group Activities

    Fun Group Activities

    Go big or go home with giant-sized dominoes or Jenga.

    Photo Credit: Redneck Retreat/Etsy

  • Fun Group Activities

    Fun Group Activities

    Try beer bottle “wedding ring toss,” handmade from rustic repurposed cedar.

  • Fun Group Activities

    Fun Group Activities

    Add sparkle to the action with a custom glittered vintage croquet set.

    Photo Credit: Mintage Home/Etsy

  • Fun Group Activities

    Fun Group Activities

    Spell f-u-n. Challenge your guests to a game of giant lawn Scrabble.

    Photo Credit: Redneck Retreat/Etsy

  • Entertainment

    Entertainment

    Keep your littlest guests — and their parents — happy with kid-friendly food and games. 

  • Entertainment

    Entertainment

    Rustic outdoor dinner? Let your guests hitch a ride on the haywagon.

  • Special Gift Bags & Favors

    Special Gift Bags & Favors

    Sow the seeds of love. Seed packets are a sweet and simple rehearsal dinner favor.

    Photo Credit: Izzy and Loll/Etsy

  • Special Gift Bags & Favors

    Special Gift Bags & Favors

    Beer can koozies are a perfect favor for your “I do BBQ.”

50+ Fun Ideas for Your Rehearsal Dinner

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50 Sweet Props You'll Want to Use in Your Wedding Photos

You don't need an arsenal of props for your wedding photos — but a sweet sign, a whimsical element, or a sentimental memento can take your pictures to the next level. Plus, if you're not entirely comfortable being on camera, a prop gives you something to do with your hands! Here, check out some of our favorite ideas from real weddings. 

By: Kristen Klein

Enter Slideshow
  • Sentimental Moments

    Sentimental Moments

    Hold photos from your parents' weddings for a sweet and sentimental photo.

    Photo Credit: Ana Lui Photography

  • Sentimental Moments

    Sentimental Moments

    Honor a loved one who can't be with you on your wedding day with a meaningful photo.

    Photo Credit: Sara Jayne Photography

  • With Your Bridal Party

    With Your Bridal Party

    Pop some champagne (and confetti!) with your bridesmaids.

  • Sunglasses

    Sunglasses

    Slip on a pair of shades to add a little attitude to your pics.

    Photo Credit: Brushfire Photography

  • With Your Bridal Party

    With Your Bridal Party

    Celebrate your "just married" status with wooden letters.

    Photo Credit: Brookelyn Photography

  • Cell Phones

    Cell Phones

    Capture your gown from all angles with a little help from your bridesmaids.

    Photo Credit: Cinematic by David M

  • With Your Bridal Party

    With Your Bridal Party

    Add a fun pop of color with oversized pinwheels.

  • With Your Bridal Party

    With Your Bridal Party

    Have each of your bridesmaids hold up a sign describing how you two met.

  • Say Thanks

    Say Thanks

    Get your bridal party members to help you say thanks.

    Photo Credit: Snap Photography

  • Sunglasses

    Sunglasses

    Place your shades in the sand and catch your own reflection.

    Photo Credit: Yazmin Photography

  • Balloons

    Balloons

    Build even more anticipation for your first look by hiding behind balloons until the moment of the big reveal.

  • Say Thanks

    Say Thanks

    Take advantage of the opportunity to capture a perfect photo for your wedding thank-you cards.

    Photo Credit: EE Photography

  • Backdrops

    Backdrops

    Oversized illuminated letters create a memorable backdrop for your photos.

    Photo Credit: Babb Photo

  • Bicycles

    Bicycles

    Take a spin on a bicycle built for two.

    Photo Credit: Hoffer Photography

  • Umbrellas

    Umbrellas

    Umbrellas aren't just for a rainy day; add a pop of color to your wedding photos with a bold heart-shaped version.

  • Books

    Books

    Showcase your most beloved book series with your bridesmaids.

    Photo Credit: Heroic Photography

  • Natural Elements

    Natural Elements

    Have your bridal party shower you with flower petals.

    Photo Credit: JJ Chen Photography

  • Banners

    Banners

    Run through a "just married" banner for a fun and memorable photo op.

  • With Your Bridal Party

    With Your Bridal Party

    Arm your bridesmaids with maracas while you sip a fruity cocktail.

    Photo Credit: FineArt Studio

  • Signs

    Signs

    Check the final item off your list with this fun chalkboard sign.

    Photo Credit: Snappy Shots by Bev

  • With Your Bridal Party

    With Your Bridal Party

    Print oversized cutouts of your bridal party members for some memorable photo ops.

    Photo courtesy of Fatheads

  • Sparklers

    Sparklers

    Use a sparkler like a magic wand!

  • Umbrellas

    Umbrellas

    Make the most of a rainy wedding day with cute matching props.

    Photo Credit: Danielle Rettig

  • Umbrellas

    Umbrellas

    Clear bubble umbrellas make this kiss photo even more sweet.

  • Signs

    Signs

    Spell out how you feel with a sweet sign.

  • With Your Bridal Party

    With Your Bridal Party

    Indulge in your playful side with a colorful parachute.

  • With Your Bridal Party

    With Your Bridal Party

    Feel the love with your bridesmaids.

    Photo Credit: Rachwal Photography

  • Sentimental Moments

    Sentimental Moments

    Get your parents in on the fun by having them hold up signs saying how long they've been married, while you and your husband hold photos from their weddings.

  • Balloons

    Balloons

    Oversized balloons are an easy and whimsical prop.

    Photo Credit: Peaches & Mint

  • Swings

    Swings

    A regular park swing just won't do; dress it up with fresh greenery and a few accent flowers.

  • Garlands

    Garlands

    A heart and dot garland makes your photos pop.

  • Umbrellas

    Umbrellas

    Use your umbrella to channel Mary Poppins for a fun photo.

    Photo Credit: Cramer Photo

  • With Your Bridal Party

    With Your Bridal Party

    Spell out your new last name with your nearest and dearest.

  • With Your Bridal Party

    With Your Bridal Party

    Let your groom and groomsmen borrow your bouquets for a fun photo.

  • Signs

    Signs

    Keep it sweet and subtle with these wooden signs.

    Photo Credit: B. Jones Photography

  • Umbrellas

    Umbrellas

    Spell out your building blocks for a happy marriage on a set of parasols for a meaningful and memorable photo.

    Photo Credit: Innamorata Photography

  • Umbrellas

    Umbrellas

    Tell your love story with a little help from umbrellas and your BFFs.

    Photo Credit: True Photography

  • With Your Bridal Party

    With Your Bridal Party

    Surprise your groom with a secret message before the ceremony.

  • Banners

    Banners

    Show off your newly-married status with a simple banner.

    Photo Credit: Tuck & Bonté/Etsy

  • Wine Barrels

    Wine Barrels

    Getting married on a vineyard? Borrow a wine barrel for a sweet photo.

  • Balloons

    Balloons

    Gather all of your guests for a balloon release!

  • Natural Elements

    Natural Elements

    Twist a few twigs into a heart for a super easy prop you can make on the fly.

  • Signs

    Signs

    Choose props that reflect your shared interests, like these cute tennis rackets.

    Photo Credit: Emma + Josh

  • Signs

    Signs

    Choose a sign that'll express your wedding-day joy.

    Photo Credit: Taylor Lord

  • Picture Frames

    Picture Frames

    Frame yourselves with this cute and easy prop.

    Photo Credit: Glessner Photography

  • Backdrops

    Backdrops

    Step into your own fairy tale with this storybook backdrop.

    Photo Credit: Jessie Holloway

  • Pop Culture-Inspired

    Pop Culture-Inspired

    Add a nod to your favorite saga with lightsabers.

    Photo Credit: Vierras Photography

  • Sparklers

    Sparklers

    Surround yourselves with a ring of fire.

    Photo Credit: Nathan Desch

  • With Your Bridal Party

    With Your Bridal Party

    Go for the extreme on a snowboard.

  • Cell Phones

    Cell Phones

    Capture your sweet sides and your silly sides in a single picture.

    Photo Credit: IQ Photo Studio

50 Sweet Props You'll Want to Use in Your Wedding Photos

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April 28th

Photo Credit: Andi Diamond

Tip of the Day: If you’re not already a fitness buff and want to embark upon an exercise regime, take a few private training sessions at your local gym. Many fitness centers include a free consultation, so take advantage of it! A pro trainer can give you essential pointers on the right way to use an elliptical machine or kettle balls. They also help correct your form and posture, saving you from back, neck, or knee injuries that can put a cramp in your honeymoon plans.

Plus, check out our Four-Week Bridal Body Prep Plan!

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