Rehearsal Dinner Cost Calculator
Estimate rehearsal dinner cost from guest count, venue type, and catering style.
Covers restaurant buyout, catered event, and backyard dinner scenarios.
The rehearsal dinner is typically held the evening before the wedding and is traditionally hosted by the groom’s family. It follows the wedding rehearsal and includes the wedding party, immediate family, out-of-town guests, and sometimes officiants.
Formula: Total Rehearsal Dinner Cost = (Cost per Head × Number of Guests) + Venue Fee + Bar Cost + Decorations + Gratuity Cost per Head = Food Cost per Person + Soft Drinks Bar Cost = Guests Who Drink × Average Drink Spend per Person Gratuity = (Food + Bar Total) × 0.18 to 0.22
What each variable means:
- Cost per Head — restaurant per-person price for a set menu or average à la carte spend.
- Venue Fee — some restaurants charge a room rental fee ($0 to $500+) for private dining rooms.
- Bar Cost — open bar, cash bar, or beer/wine only affect this significantly.
- Gratuity — 18–22% is standard for event dining; sometimes included automatically.
Guest count guidelines:
- Minimum traditional list: Wedding party + spouses + parents + officiant = ~20–30 people
- Expanded: Add out-of-town guests = 40–60 people
- Full guest list = uncommon but occurs for destination weddings
Cost benchmarks:
- Casual restaurant (set menu): $45–$75 per person
- Mid-range restaurant: $75–$120 per person
- Upscale venue: $120–$200 per person
- Home or backyard (catered): $30–$60 per person
Worked example: 35 guests, restaurant charges $85/head, open bar $30/person, venue fee $200, gratuity 20%.
Food + Bar = (35 × $85) + (35 × $30) = $2,975 + $1,050 = $4,025 Gratuity = $4,025 × 0.20 = $805 Total = $4,025 + $805 + $200 venue = $5,030
Per-person total = $5,030 ÷ 35 = $143.71 per guest