5 Fantastic Rehearsal Dinner Themes

April 6, 2021

Without a doubt, the wedding is the big event that drives all wedding planning. But a far less discussed yet equally important event is the day before: the rehearsal dinner. Traditionally held the night before the wedding, the rehearsal dinner is a great opportunity for the two families to spend time together before the wedding day in a less hectic setting. It’s a a time to greet traveling guests who have taken the time to arrive early. It can take many shapes, from a simple celebration in a comfortable setting, a chance to give guests a taste of what’s to come, and a wonderful opportunity to be a good host. It’s an opportunity also to do something a little different, and we’ve shared some unique rehearsal dinner themes below.

Tropical

Palm prints. Flamingos. Pineapples and more. Tropical decor is hot, Hot, HOT! Tropical is certainly the opposite of a classic white wedding and tons of fun.

Pro tip: those luscious and large monstera leaves can double as chargers or even more whimsically as table numbers or place “cards”.

Cocktail arrangements of gold painted pineapples filled with a textured mix of hydrangea, tulips, astilbe, and stock in varying shades of pink accented seeded eucalyptus.

Photo by Susie & Becky

Photo by Meredith Campbell

Nautical

Preppy more your vibe? Well you can’t go wrong with lanterns, stripes, and a festive pop of color. Pro tip: Host that nautical event outside or under a tent? Have to be indoors? Look no further that our very own Sequoia restaurant on the Georgetown waterfront.

Photo by George Street Photography

Fiesta

Everyone loves tacos, right? Well you can’t go wrong with vibrant colors, vintage tins, and even cactus plants for a fiesta themed dinner.

Barbeque

Sometimes it feels like DC has transformed into the perfect mecca for barbecue. What would be better than checkerboard linens, casual pots or mason jars of sunflowers and a vibe that yells “celebrate!”.

Photo by Linda Wallace

Vintage Garden Party

Lush garden blooms and lots of greenery is the perfect choice for the couple who wants their rehearsal dinner to be detailed but approachable.

Photo by Jodi & Kurt Photography

Photo by Jodi & Kurt Photography

Photo by Documentary Associates

Pool Party

Need we say more? Welcome your guests by the pool, especially on a summer day, and have some whimsical floating flower garden to embrace a beautiful the playful nature of the location.

Brandon Templar Photography

Like these rehearsal dinner themes? Maybe thinking of something else? Find even more inspiration for your event by searing our site for more.

G is for greenery 🌿, L is for lush ✨… you get the idea!

When it comes to statement-making florals, a well-placed garland can do it all—elevate long tables, frame a ceremony aisle, or even drape around a fountain for that effortlessly chic look. Who said greenery was just filler? 💅

credits in tags

#outdoorwedding #tentedwedding #greenerygarland #dcwedding #washingtondcwedding #dcweddingflorist #washingtonianweddings #weddingreceptionflorals
#weddingcenterpiece #dmvweddingvendor
#stylemeprettyweddings #bridalguide #floristsofinstagram #washingtondcflorist

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G is for greenery 🌿, L is for lush ✨… you get the idea!

When it comes to statement-making florals, a well-placed garland can do it all—elevate long tables, frame a ceremony aisle, or even drape around a fountain for that effortlessly chic look. Who said greenery was just filler? 💅

credits in tags

#outdoorwedding #tentedwedding #greenerygarland #dcwedding #washingtondcwedding #dcweddingflorist #washingtonianweddings #weddingreceptionflorals
#weddingcenterpiece #dmvweddingvendor
#stylemeprettyweddings #bridalguide #floristsofinstagram #washingtondcflorist

Thank you to Megan and Damien for their 5 star review! We loved flowering and coordinating their beautiful wedding day at St. Francis Hall! ⁣
⁣
“We were so lucky that we found Petal`s Edge. Gorgeous flowers and we hired Gerry for her super talented day of wedding coordination. Planning a wedding is hard but Petal`s Edge made it easy. Beyond super beautiful florals that really elevated our day and made it special, it was such a huge help that any time I was stuck in the planning process, Gerry answered any question I had. Her professionalism and capabilities are simply unmatched. She knows everything about venues, vendors and more inside and out. Meetings to see your floral designs are super smooth. Petal`s Edge will write your contract super fast and easily helped us amend it. The day of the wedding couldn`t have been more perfect. It was so easy and fun. Petal`s Edge set everything up perfectly and make sure it ran smoothly. The florals were so beautiful!! I loved all of the details, from a stunning bridal bouquet, posies for moms and grandmas, framing the posters with eucalyptus, to gorgeous multicolored petals down the aisle. Our guests were so comfortable and well taken care of the whole night. Petal`s Edge really took the rustic/classic vision I had in mind and made it a gorgeous reality.”⁣
⁣
📍 @stfrancishall⁣
🍽 @pigsbbq⁣
📷 @ashleewilcoxphoto⁣
💐 📋 @petalsedgedc

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Thank you to Megan and Damien for their 5 star review! We loved flowering and coordinating their beautiful wedding day at St. Francis Hall! ⁣
⁣
“We were so lucky that we found Petal's Edge. Gorgeous flowers and we hired Gerry for her super talented day of wedding coordination. Planning a wedding is hard but Petal's Edge made it easy. Beyond super beautiful florals that really elevated our day and made it special, it was such a huge help that any time I was stuck in the planning process, Gerry answered any question I had. Her professionalism and capabilities are simply unmatched. She knows everything about venues, vendors and more inside and out. Meetings to see your floral designs are super smooth. Petal's Edge will write your contract super fast and easily helped us amend it. The day of the wedding couldn't have been more perfect. It was so easy and fun. Petal's Edge set everything up perfectly and make sure it ran smoothly. The florals were so beautiful!! I loved all of the details, from a stunning bridal bouquet, posies for moms and grandmas, framing the posters with eucalyptus, to gorgeous multicolored petals down the aisle. Our guests were so comfortable and well taken care of the whole night. Petal's Edge really took the rustic/classic vision I had in mind and made it a gorgeous reality.”⁣
⁣
📍 @stfrancishall⁣
🍽 @pigsbbq⁣
📷 @ashleewilcoxphoto⁣
💐 📋 @petalsedgedc

Industrial spaces have a beauty of their own, but the right floral design can take them from warehouse to urban garden. 🌿✨

For Laura & Michael’s Dock 5 wedding, we played with scale—tall magnolia branches to emphasize the height, lush florals to soften the space, and candlelight to add warmth. The result? An urban oasis that felt both grand and intimate.

1️⃣Go Big with Greenery – Tall magnolia branches brought height and movement to Laura & Michael’s Dock 5 wedding

2️⃣ Mix Textures – Lush, low floral arrangements softened the industrial edges while keeping the space dynamic

3️⃣ Layer Candlelight – Warm glows + metal details = a romantic urban oasis

4️⃣ Frame Key Spaces – A floral garland on the head table grounded the design and added intimacy. Trees flanking the table took it to the next level

5️⃣ Contrast is Key – Pairing the raw, industrial elements with soft florals and organic details created the perfect balance

📍 @unionmarketdc Dock 5
📷 @juliette_fradin_photography @anne_scherrer
🍽️ occasionscaterers
@drapekings

#dock5wedding #dock5 #autoshopwedding
#unionmarketwedding #virginiaweddingflorist
#luxuryweddingflorist #springweddingflowers
#stylemeprettyweddings #washingtondcwedding
#washingtondcflorist #dceventflorist
#washingtondcweddingvenue #washingtonianweddings

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Industrial spaces have a beauty of their own, but the right floral design can take them from warehouse to urban garden. 🌿✨

For Laura & Michael’s Dock 5 wedding, we played with scale—tall magnolia branches to emphasize the height, lush florals to soften the space, and candlelight to add warmth. The result? An urban oasis that felt both grand and intimate.

1️⃣Go Big with Greenery – Tall magnolia branches brought height and movement to Laura & Michael’s Dock 5 wedding

2️⃣ Mix Textures – Lush, low floral arrangements softened the industrial edges while keeping the space dynamic

3️⃣ Layer Candlelight – Warm glows + metal details = a romantic urban oasis

4️⃣ Frame Key Spaces – A floral garland on the head table grounded the design and added intimacy. Trees flanking the table took it to the next level

5️⃣ Contrast is Key – Pairing the raw, industrial elements with soft florals and organic details created the perfect balance

📍 @unionmarketdc Dock 5
📷 @juliette_fradin_photography @anne_scherrer
🍽️ occasionscaterers
@drapekings

#dock5wedding #dock5 #autoshopwedding
#unionmarketwedding #virginiaweddingflorist
#luxuryweddingflorist #springweddingflowers
#stylemeprettyweddings #washingtondcwedding
#washingtondcflorist #dceventflorist
#washingtondcweddingvenue #washingtonianweddings

Amanda & Matt`s District Winery wedding was filled with lush greenery - a fresh turn on a winder wedding to bring the outdoors in. A hanging greenery focal point created the perfect backdrop for the happy couple - both for the ceremony and then the head table. Amanda shared the kindest review following the wedding: ⁣
⁣
“Magical. Ethereal. Breathtaking. Gerry and her team transformed District Wintery into a magical winter wonderland. Our theme was icy blue winter and the flowers, ceiling and stairwell installation were on point!”⁣
⁣
📍 @districtwinery⁣
📷 @darcytroutmanphotograpy⁣
💐 @petalsedgedc

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Amanda & Matt's District Winery wedding was filled with lush greenery - a fresh turn on a winder wedding to bring the outdoors in. A hanging greenery focal point created the perfect backdrop for the happy couple - both for the ceremony and then the head table. Amanda shared the kindest review following the wedding: ⁣
⁣
“Magical. Ethereal. Breathtaking. Gerry and her team transformed District Wintery into a magical winter wonderland. Our theme was icy blue winter and the flowers, ceiling and stairwell installation were on point!”⁣
⁣
📍 @districtwinery⁣
📷 @darcytroutmanphotograpy⁣
💐 @petalsedgedc

Not all green and white floral palettes are created equal. This one here will NEVER go out of style and is truly as timeless as they come! Magnolia, eucalyptus, rosemary, and delicate touches of white… Add velvet linens and gold touches, and we’re smitten... 😍

📍 @meridianhouse
🍽️ @welldunncatering
📷 @nessakphotography
💐 @petalsedgedc
📋 @leahmariedavenport

#meridianhouse #meridianhousewedding #gardenwedding #washingtondcwedding #washingtondcweddingflorist #virginiaweddingflorist #virginiaflorist #marylandflorist #luxuryweddingflorist #washingtonianweddings #dmvweddingflorist

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Not all green and white floral palettes are created equal. This one here will NEVER go out of style and is truly as timeless as they come! Magnolia, eucalyptus, rosemary, and delicate touches of white… Add velvet linens and gold touches, and we’re smitten... 😍

📍 @meridianhouse
🍽️ @welldunncatering
📷 @nessakphotography
💐 @petalsedgedc
📋 @leahmariedavenport

#meridianhouse #meridianhousewedding #gardenwedding #washingtondcwedding #washingtondcweddingflorist #virginiaweddingflorist #virginiaflorist #marylandflorist #luxuryweddingflorist #washingtonianweddings #dmvweddingflorist

A wedding in an art gallery deserves florals that are a work of art, as well! The towering floral pieces we designed for Jen and Doug’s wedding at the National Museum of Women in the Arts blended the clean, modern lines of calla lilies with the texture and color of larkspur, stock and snapdragons to elevate the design of their beautiful wedding at the museum.

📍 @nmwaspecialevents
🍽 @occasionscaterers
📷 @erinkelleherphoto
💐 @petalsedgedc
💡 @digitallightning
📋 @smevents

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