Rehersal Dinner is it a "MUST"

I apologize if this has been asked before but i have a huge question. Last night after a long picture and video cam meeting with the wedding coordinator, decorators and FI we were asked about the rehearsal dinner. Being that this a half destination wedding(aka FI is from NY and am from PR) half of the people participating in the wedding would be in PR for the rehearsal dinner and half of the people would not. About a week ago we found out that my soon to be MIL and FIL would come with 2 other guests to PR a week before the wedding as to make a vacation stay out of it but that everyone else, including the best man would be able to come Friday night and would have to leave on the red eye Monday morning. Yesterday i mentioned to the WC that we were planning to do a dinner the night before the wedding as a mingle before "the day!" (LoL her face was priceless).. Since our wedding is on a Sunday @2pm after much debate last night we decided against doing a dinner and well wondered if it would be wrong to do some sort of "welcome lunch or even brunch" on Saturday? At this point we really don't know what to do or even what would be deemed appropriate in a DW...

Thanks for all the input in advance

What her face like? Was your WC against it?

I personally think it's a nice touch to get everyone who's apart of this special day together and comfortable with each other. We are doing a rehearsal dinner but not physically doing the rehearsing part. Everyone in our bridal party has walked up and down an isle before =)

My wedding's on a Monday and guests are getting to Cancun on Friday/Sat/Sun so I'm planning a rehearsal/welcome dinner for Sunday evening. I think it's nice to do a welcome meal and if your whole group isn't there it's ok to do it with just those that are. Dinner's usually the default meal to allow people to do what they want during the day but if your group's ok with a brunch or lunch go for it. Good luck!

I don't really understand your WC's reaction. Having a rehearsal dinner is tying loose ends together by making sure your guests know what's happeneing the next day and having fun together - what else is there to do?

We had a rehearsal and rehearsal night before our wedding and it was a blast. If you want to do it, don't let your WC's face affect your decision.

We did not do a rehearsal dinner. Instead, we had a welcome dinner when most of our guests arrived the 1st night and our wedding day was 4 days later.

We are doing a Welcome Dinner and inviting all the guest attending the wedding. All of our guest will have to travel though. I think etiquette is to invite all traveling guests to your rehearsal dinner or have some kind of cocktail party before the wedding. From what I have gathered, most DW brides have a Welcome Dinner vs a Rehearsal Dinner. We are still debating a Welcome Dinner vs brunch. Brunch is cheaper and it free's up the evening for those that are coming in on Friday morning and leaving Sunday.

This is a good way for all the guests to get to know one another and a good time to get speeches out of the way.

I don't understand why your WC would have an issue with this. Does she have another wedding planned for the night before your wedding or not want to take the time to plan this event for you?

I think a lunch or dinner is a great idea... we are doing a rehersal dinner too. Don't pay attention to your WC. If you have loose ends, get them done during the day and enjoy your evening! It's your day, not hers.