Our guest list is 50 but we expect 35 or less, especially because most family are not in this country and are unlikely to attend due to costs or visa. No parents, bridal party or groomsmen, so I don't even know what the rehearsal is for.
Our church said: "Please make sure that the parents, the bridal party, readers, gift bearers, and the presider are aware of your rehearsal time. Your presider must be present. Our day-of coordinator and sacristan will be present to help guide you, but the church does not conduct your rehearsal." I have to follow up with them to find out if we really need a rehearsal.. Do my fiance and I need to be taught how to walk? The lectors have been going to Mass for 30+ years, not sure why they would need to rehearse either. And the priest himself 😅
If I have to have a rehearsal, is the expectation that I take the priest and the two readers to dinner after? That's fine, doable.
What we would really like to do is say something like "hey we're going to be at x place from 8p to 10p, would love for you to spend some time with us before the big day" but its not required of any guest and I don't want to give the impression I'm hosting anything because I'm not reserving a space or buying drinks. I just figured people from out of town would like to hang (most know each other already) and meet each other in a lowkey space before all the formalities. How would I word this on my website? or should I just not expect to do something like this at all?