Wedding Weekend Events: Welcome Drinks, Rehearsal Dinner & Day-After Brunch
Published on · 3 min read
More couples now celebrate across a weekend rather than a single day — especially when guests travel. Each event has its own etiquette about who is invited and who hosts. Here is how to plan and word each one.
At a glance
| Event | Usually invited | Traditionally hosted by | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welcome drinks | All guests (or out-of-town guests) | The couple or either family | Evening before the wedding |
| Rehearsal dinner | Wedding party, immediate family, officiant | Often the groom's family | After the rehearsal, 1–2 days before |
| Day-after brunch | All guests or family and out-of-town guests | The couple or a family member | Late morning the next day |
Welcome drinks
A relaxed evening that lets travelling guests meet before the big day. Keep it casual and drop-in, and be clear on the website whether it is for everyone.
"Welcome to [city]! Join us for drinks and nibbles the night before the wedding — [day], [time], [venue]. Drop in whenever you arrive. Casual dress."
Rehearsal dinner
Follows the ceremony rehearsal, usually one or two evenings before the wedding. Guest list: the wedding party and their partners, immediate family and the officiant; many couples also invite out-of-town guests. Send a separate invitation so guests who are not included don't feel left out.
"Please join us for a rehearsal dinner in honour of [names] — [day], [date] at [time], [venue], [city]. Kindly reply by [date]."
Day-after brunch
A chance to say goodbye and share stories from the night before. Keep the start time gentle (10 or 11 AM), the format easy (buffet or drop-in), and the dress code casual.
"Before we all head home, join us for a farewell brunch — [day], 10 AM–12 PM, [venue]. Come as you are; coffee will be strong."
Your wedding website should list each event with time, venue, dress code and who is invited — and let guests RSVP to each one separately.
Planning the whole weekend
Space events so guests aren't exhausted: an easy evening the night before, the wedding, and a relaxed late-morning brunch. Give every event a start and end time, a dress code and a clear note on who is invited, and put it all on one schedule page.
Budgeting for extra events
Welcome drinks and brunch can be simple — a reserved area at a bar, a buffet at the hotel — but costs add up across a weekend. Decide early who is hosting each event; families often offer to host the rehearsal dinner or brunch.
Rehearsal dinner toasts and timing
The rehearsal dinner is the natural place for longer, more personal toasts, which keeps wedding-day speeches short. End it early — the wedding party has a big day tomorrow.
| Event | Dress code idea | Typical length |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome drinks | Smart casual | 2–3 hours, drop-in |
| Rehearsal dinner | Cocktail or smart casual | 2–3 hours |
| Day-after brunch | Casual | 2 hours, come and go |
Who to invite to what
Everyone invited to the wedding can be invited to welcome drinks and brunch; the rehearsal dinner is usually smaller. If guest lists differ, send each guest only the events they're invited to — a wedding website with per-event RSVPs does this automatically.
Wedding Day Timeline
Build the schedule for the whole wedding weekend.