To create this kind of mood, more people are hosting casual dinners, from French picnics to crab feasts. A casual rehearsal dinner is also a nice contrast to a formal wedding. Wedding planners agree that the food and atmosphere at the rehearsal dinner should be different from those at the wedding reception. Finally, convenience is important. Keeping all this in mind, our experts recommend the following places for rehearsal dinners.
Food is American unless otherwise noted.
For a great view, you can't beat Sequoia on the Potomac River in Georgetown. There's a private terrace where, weather permitting, you can have cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. The marble columns, ornate gilding, and crystal chandeliers in the Crystal Room at the Willard Hotel make it one of the most beautiful rooms in Washington. It's wedding planners' top choice for a formal dinner. It's a lovely spot.