Creating a Rehearsal Dinner at Home with BHLDN


How to host a tropical inspired rehearsal dinner at home | A Fabulous Fete

There are so many things I wish I could go back and re-do at our wedding. Sure, there were wedding blogs and Pinterest, but those things just weren't what they are today. Which is why, when I have the opportunity to get creative with wedding projects, I basically treat it like my do over. I love sharing these ideas and creations in hopes that those of you planning your own weddings will actually get to execute them and blow all of your friends and family away;) We had a very small wedding, so we had a few family members out to our favorite restaurant in Laguna Beach after our rehearsal. Looking back, I may have made all of the other events surrounding our wedding day a bigger deal. I love seeing couples that have themed rehearsal dinners and Sunday brunches following the wedding. It really is a once in a lifetime occasion that you should celebrate the heck out of.

With more and more couples renting houses in destinations that they frequent in their time off, it really just makes sense to start looking at how your can host fun days and nights (yourself) to round out your wedding weekend. I partnered with BHLDN to share my dream rehearsal dinner scenario. You know I like a mix of high and low, rustic and glamorous... things that have high contrast. So, creating a gorgeous table top full of some of the prettiest decor available for your wedding, was naturally paired with a  pizza bar. Honestly, who would not enjoy a chic pizza party? I love that it would be a super simple way to feed your guests, and let the decor that you put together shine. Still don't think beaded gowns go with a pizza bar? Keep reading...

Custom stationery for a rehearsal dinner, wrapped up with a "the night before" tag | A Fabulous Fete
Watercolor calligraphy rehearsal dinner invitation | A Fabulous Fete

Invite your guests with a playful invitation suite. Keeping the colors soft, I designed this watercolor suite in pinks and grey and tied it all together with splatter painted vellum and hand dyed silk ribbon.

Tropical bohemian flower arrangement by Beautiful Savage Flowers | A Fabulous Fete

Create drama by lighting up the night with candlelight. You almost don't need anything else but a few flowers for your table. I mixed pillar candles with classic gold candlesticks for height and to frame our flower arrangements. Once the sun set it was all the light we needed and created the perfect setting for lingering over champagne and conversation.

Simple summer table setting | A Fabulous Fete
Gold calligraphy place cards for your rehearsal dinner | A Fabulous Fete
Mismatched gilded plates for a bohemian rehearsal dinner | A Fabulous Fete
Rehearsal dinner table setting with a tropical touch | A Fabulous Fete
BHLDN dress that works for any occasion | A Fabulous Fete
A table full of candles is the easiest way to create some drama without a ton of effort | A Fabulous Fete
Pull together mismatched furniture with a simple color scheme | A Fabulous Fete
A summer color palette of blush, gold and lots of white | A Fabulous Fete
Rehearsal dinner table settings with thank you cards and favors your bridesmaids can wear at the wedding | A Fabulous Fete

Treat your bridesmaids to something special they can wear the next day. It makes a unique setting with a little sprig of greenery.

Advice cards for friends and family to fill out at your rehearsal dinner | A Fabulous Fete
Mismatched barware | A Fabulous Fete

I always mix our champagne glasses for get togethers and dinners. It adds a playful touch, color, and guests aren't guessing which glass is theirs. I topped the bar with one of my favorite phrases and a flower garland.

Stocked bar with fabric signage for a special occasion | A Fabulous Fete
Keep your rehearsal dinner simple (pizza and champagne!) but chic with gorgeous tableware | A Fabulous Fete
Beaded BHLDN dress for an easy rehearsal dinner look | A Fabulous Fete

White breezy dresses are the ultimate summer wedding staple. This beaded gown could easily go from wedding, to dinner, to the beach depending on how you style it.

Embellished breezy dresses are perfect for a simple rehearsal dinner at home | A Fabulous Fete
Easy white dresses that can be dressed up for your wedding, or down for your honeymoon | A Fabulous Fete
Pick up pizza for an easy dinner but add amazing details like cake stands and beautiful serving pieces for a special occasion | A Fabulous Fete

The key to creating a pizza bar that doesn't remind you of a kids party? It's all about the presentation. We stuck to glass cake stands and wood platters surrounded by gilded serving pieces and gold calligraphy signage. Using individual tables in varying heights also creates something more visually interesting than the usual bar set up. 

Cake servers double as a way to fancy up your pizza bar | A Fabulous Fete
Gold watercolor signage for a pizza night | A Fabulous Fete
Ways to keep your rehearsal dinner chic but easy! | A Fabulous Fete
Macarons stacked with touches of flowers are a simple way to DIY dessert for your dinner party | A Fabulous Fete
'Yay' champagne glasses | A Fabulous Fete

My goal for dinner party set ups is always to get people talking while making them feel like their at home. I think this one did the job.

Are there any of you on the hunt for DIY rehearsal dinner ideas? What plans do you have up your sleeve to wow your guests?

Photography | Alissa Noelle Photography

Flowers | Beautiful Savage Flowers

Decor | BHLDN, individual pieces that are available are shown below

Crystal Bracelets | Cake Serving Set | Gold Garland | Gold Candle Boxes | Pink Cakestand | Yay Champagne Glass | Gold Rim Champagne Glass | Advice Cards | Gold Utensil Set | Tapers | Brass Candlesticks | Wood Tray | Votives | Pillar Candles | Coupes | Jasmine Garland | Agate Card Holder | Tall Loop Card Holder | Birch Planter | Short Eyelet Dress | Long Beaded Dress

Post in partnership with BHLDN.