Ask Storkie: Do I need to invite the spouse and children of those in my wedding party to the wedding rehearsal dinner?

Dear Storkie, I have a dilemma. We’re throwing a formal wedding rehearsal dinner at a local restaurant and I don’t know whom to invite. I’m certain that my wedding party, close family and a few wedding professionals involved in the wedding are invited but do I have to invite their spouses and children as well? What is traditional? Please help! — Kim from Chicago

Dear Kim,

Because it’s your wedding, you can invite whomever you want.

However, if you’re looking for the “traditional” answer here it is…

Traditionally, any out of town guests and their children that flew in specifically for your wedding are invited to a wedding rehearsal dinner as well as your wedding party and their spouses. Flower girls, ring bearers and their parents as well as your parents, step parents, grandparents, siblings and all of their spouses and children.

So to answer your question in a short and sweet way, yes, spouses and children are traditionally invited to the wedding rehearsal dinner.

How do you plan to invite all of these people?

We have some great ideas for wedding rehearsal invitations here.

Best wishes,

Storkie