A reception and a rehearsal dinner call for genuinely different chef bookings — here's how to plan for each.
A wedding reception and a rehearsal dinner call for genuinely different chef bookings. The reception is usually the larger, more formal event — plated service or stations for the full guest list. The rehearsal dinner is smaller and more relaxed, often family-style.
Rehearsal dinners are usually smaller and more informal, frequently hosted at a private home rather than a venue. A private chef booking, rather than a full event catering team, is often the better fit here — closer in scale to a large dinner party than a wedding reception.
Some couples book the same chef or catering team for both events for consistency, others use a private chef for the rehearsal and a dedicated wedding catering team for the reception. Either approach works — just submit separate requests with the specific details for each.
Earlier is better for wedding season — popular dates fill up, so booking several weeks to a few months ahead is safer than a last-minute request.
It can, though most couples vary the style — a more relaxed menu for the rehearsal, a more formal one for the reception itself.
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