Confession: I dreamt about my rehearsal dinner as often as my wedding day. The wedding day is the grand finale, but engagement season is so much more than a single day. The rehearsal dinner, specifically, kicks off wedding weekend with a more intimate gathering of your closest family and friends. It allows for ample time to hear toasts and old stories from the wedding party and family who have likely known you the longest. The words spoken at this dinner you will probably hold onto for years to come so a photograph of you laughing or crying at these shared memories will last a lifetime. For this reason, it’s so special to have a photographer at both your rehearsal dinner and wedding. What an opportunity for a photographer to get to know you and your fiancé even more ahead of the big day!

Beyond sentimentality, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the fashion opportunity. While your wedding day look is carefully selected for timelessness, your rehearsal dinner allows for more play and punch. Jumpsuits, feathers, and unique footwear are all examples of rehearsal dinner attire that you absolutely want a portrait in. It’s likely the last portrait you and your fiancé will have together before becoming husband and wife.

Lastly, these portraits and the rehearsal dinner gallery are such a treat to a mother-in-law who planned and schemed this special evening. We love when couples gift the groom’s family a rehearsal dinner album or framed portrait as a thank you gift for being a huge part of wedding season. You truly won’t have another opportunity!

From the dinner table laughs to the sunset portraits, we wanted to share a few favorite rehearsal dinner memories with you!