With families living far apart, more and more wedding guests travel from some distances to attend a wedding. The rehearsal dinner traditionally was a time for the members of the wedding party to share a meal after rehearsing. It gives guests an opportunity to get acquainted and starts the festivities one day earlier than the wedding itself. For brides and grooms following a traditional breakdown of wedding expenses, the rehearsal dinner is the responsibility of the groom's family. New accommodations, of course, allow the bride's parents, or a close friend or relative to accept the financial and planning responsibilities.
Some people choose to hold the dinner in a restaurant or catering hall, with a sit-down affair.
Besides the rehearsal which precedes it and the socializing that go on throughout the event, the rehearsal dinner is typically the time when the bride and groom present their attendants with little gifts, as tokens of their appreciation. Some couples also give a token of appreciation to their parents as a thank you for hosting the wedding. Toasting is also traditionally a part of after-dinner activities. The best man should be prepared with a toast to the bride and groom. The couple might also consider a toast their parents.