12 Cheap Rehearsal Dinner Ideas for the Modern Bride on Love the Day

While I absolutely love Pinterest, I’ve always joked that it’s a good thing that it wasn’t around when I was planning my wedding because I would have wanted to do all the things!

When attending a wedding or rehearsal dinner I love seeing the couple’s personality and interests shine through as they incorporate fun details that are unique to their story. Do you love breakfast? Serve it at the rehearsal dinner! Enjoy making cookies together? Use it as a place setting.

Small details not only add personalization but also let your guests in on the special things you enjoy together as a couple.

The best part is that with a few DIY projects and a little creativity, planning a one-of-a-kind rehearsal dinner doesn’t have to cost a fortune.

Today I’m sharing 12 Cheap Rehearsal Dinner Ideas that are high on style and right on budget.

12 Cheap Rehearsal Dinner Ideas

Breakfast for Dinner

This is such a fun and unique idea! Especially for those bride and grooms who are major breakfast people!

This couple set up a gorgeous breakfast for rehearsal dinner outside, made the most darling DIY hanging decor and served mini stacked pancakes!

The centerpieces were Vintage Tinted Mason Jars filled with gorgeous pink flowers.

Backyard “I Do” BBQ

I live in Texas so backyard BBQs are a total thing. We smoke meat around the clock and we love to celebrate!

I could totally see a casual, Texan couple throwing a backyard ‘I DO’ BBQ like this!

There is something about that fabulous gingham black and white tablecloth that makes my heart sing!

And those floral centerpieces are everything. Especially next to the custom embroidery napkins.

Simple Pizza Bar

Calling all pizza loving couples! Why not show your pizza love to the world during your rehearsal dinner!?

This couple had an outdoor sample pizza bar and shared their favorite pizzas with all their friends and family.

They showcased all the pizzas on large chalkboards and decorated with white lanterns and candles!

DIY Paper Nametags

You know I love me some paper crafts! They are pretty much my favorite accent to ANY and ALL parties!

I love decorating with paper like these DIY Party Paper Fans, DIY Flower Cake Toppers and DIY Cupcake Party Favors.

This wedding took paper crafts to the next level and make DIY Paper Name tags for each of their guests? How special is that?

I love the ribbon and that each person’s name is written in calligraphy.

Best Day Ever Table Decor

Why not say it like it is?! Your wedding is ‘The Best Day Ever’ so why not make it your rehearsal day theme?!

I love that this couple ran with the theme and made printable signs and party favors to serve to their guests.

Bride & Groom Favorite Things Table Place Settings

This is one thing I wish I would have done more with my wedding: customize, customize, customize!

It’s your special day and I would do all your favorite things!

Serve your favorite food, wear your favorite dress, play your favorite music and share all those loves with your guests.

This couple did just that! They served their favorite cookies with their guests and I’m all about it!

Rehearsal Mad-Libs

Let’s be real…rehearsal dinners can be BORING! They are long, can be tedious, repetitive and long.

This couple helped bring a little joy and laughter to their dinner by giving their guests ‘Wed-Libs’ to fill out while they were waiting.

They libs revolved around the couple’s dating life which made the results even more hilarious.

If you don’t want to make Wed-Libs, you can always have your guests fill out Advice Cards!

DIY Photo Table Runner

I said this above, but I wish I would have customized my wedding WAY more than I did.

I would have used more pictures of my husband and me and would have served more of the foods we love.

The couple made a DIY Photo Table Runner and its gorgeous and so personal.

Fun Facts About the Bride and Groom

Weddings can be tricky. You have the brides family, the groom’s family and the couples friends.

That’s a lot of strangers all coming together to celebrate!

A great way to get all those strangers talking is to share fun facts about both the bride and groom.

It will give people common ground to chat and laugh about.

Photo Centerpieces DIY

Everyone knows I love a good DIY party!

These photo centerpieces are such a great DIY decoration. They are easy to make, a great way to customize your dinner and they are inexpensive.

You can use the money you save on centerpieces for your wedding!

Gold LOVE Balloons

Mylar balloons are all the rage these days and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE how much volume/space they fill up!

They are a perfect focal point at a great price range.

I found some really inexpensive ones HERE.

See Y’all Tomorrow Sign

I had never seen this idea, but I love it! Get your guests excited for the big day with a fun DIY ‘See Y’all Tomorrow’ sign at the exit of your dinner.

This couple used their Cricut Maker to vinyl an over-sized chalk board sign.

They added fresh flowers to the top of the sign and it’s gorgeous!