| One of the best places you can choose to have your | | | | Nestle a few chunky pillar candles or one hurricane |
| rehearsal dinner is a beach. You and your guests will | | | | lantern into the center of a pile of shells on each table |
| enjoy the relaxed environment as you have your final | | | | for a simple but elegant centerpiece. Faux coral is |
| pre-wedding party. A party at the beach can be quite | | | | another nice decorative element to include, and it is |
| informal, but for something as special as your | | | | fairly easy to make it yourself if you are a crafter. |
| rehearsal dinner, aim for a casual elegance. | | | | The bride-to-be and her groom will want to wear |
| Having a casually elegant rehearsal dinner at the | | | | outfits for the rehearsal dinner that fit in with the |
| beach means that you keep things low key, and yet | | | | casually elegant flavor of the party. For the bride, this |
| stylish. You can select food and décor that suit | | | | can mean a pretty strapless dress in a summery color |
| the oceanside location, which will add to the ambiance | | | | with a flower in her hair. A piece of informal wedding |
| of your party. Starting with the food, any time that you | | | | jewelry, such as a monogrammed shell pendant is a |
| are by the water, seafood is a good choice. Clam | | | | great finishing touch. (This is also a great idea for a |
| bakes are popular in certain parts of the country, as | | | | bridesmaid jewelry gift to give your attendants before |
| are crab feasts, and lobster or shrimp boils. Forgo the | | | | the wedding.) |
| hotdog on a paper plate type of cuisine in favor of | | | | The groom should select an outfit that, above all, |
| something a bit more refined, both in terms of the food | | | | complements what the bride will be wearing. He should |
| and the presentation. | | | | look pulled together, yet comfortable on a beach. Try a |
| When you are having your rehearsal dinner at the | | | | nice button down shirt with a great patterned tie, such |
| beach, Mother Nature will provide almost all the | | | | as those made by Vineyard Vines or Lilly Pulitzer. |
| decorations that you will need. You can add to the | | | | Khaki trousers or possibly a very crisp pair of khaki |
| natural splendor by choosing decorations that fit the | | | | shorts will look good as part of the groom's outfit. |
| location. Seashells are a terrific element for your | | | | Really, the only shoe to wear is a pair of Topsiders. No |
| décor. One really fabulous idea is to create | | | | sandals on the groom, please (men's feet - ugh!), but a |
| paths of mixed shells lining a walkway. Intersperse pillar | | | | dressy pair of sandals is perfect for the bride. |
| candles in hurricane lanterns amongst the shells to add | | | | Most rehearsal dinners do not have dancing, but feel |
| some atmosphere (and to light the path once night | | | | free to bring along some great background music with |
| falls). | | | | a beachy vibe. Choose something more upscale than |
| The table decorations for a rehearsal dinner can be | | | | the Beach Boys or reggae, like a really great Calypso. |
| kept fairly easy - there is no need for anything as | | | | Finish your casually elegant rehearsal dinner with a |
| elaborate or expensive as you would choose for the | | | | tasty dessert like individual key lime tartlets, and then it |
| wedding itself. Again, seashells and candles are ideal. | | | | is off to bed in anticipation of the big day! |