Charleston's restaurants are wonderful, but a private room for thirty on a wedding Friday is difficult to secure and harder still to make personal. More families are now hosting the rehearsal dinner at the house they have rented for the weekend. Here is how to plan a Charleston rehearsal dinner at home.
Step 1: settle the guest count and the service style
For up to about twelve guests, family-style service around one table feels warm and unhurried. From twelve to thirty, plated Signature service keeps the evening moving and ensures every guest receives the meal they chose. For larger groups, an elegant buffet (our Premier service) with servers is the most relaxed option.
Step 2: build a Lowcountry menu
Choose a menu that tastes of Charleston: shrimp over stone-ground gouda grits to start, a salad of local greens, then crab-stuffed flounder or filet for the main course, with braised collard greens and mac & cheese on the side. Finish with bourbon pecan bread pudding or banana pudding.
Step 3: get it in writing
Once the menu is set, ask for a written event order covering the menu, guest count, timing, address, parking details and every allergy. Share it with your planner. When the toasts run long or photographs push dinner back, everyone works from the same plan.
Step 4: work backward from the toasts
Most rehearsal dinners run about three hours: drinks and appetizers, a seated dinner, toasts and dessert. Decide when the toasts will happen (often between the main course and dessert), and the kitchen will time each course around them.
Step 5: plan for the island houses
Rentals on Kiawah, Isle of Palms or Folly Beach can be a long drive from town and may have gated access. Share those details early so the team arrives with time to spare.
Signature rehearsal dinners start at $99 a person plus food. See rehearsal dinners & weddings or our Charleston page.
Tell us about your table
Send us the date, your guest count and the occasion. We reply the same day with menu ideas and a quote.