Just like any performance practice is essential. People need to understand where they're supposed to stand and what they're supposed to be doing, hence a rehearsal.

Ideally, this is the first and only time you get married. So yes, you need to practice.

It's just a successful way of getting more money from those paying for the wedding

The rehearsal helps take care of facility issues, etc. Traditionally the dinner was a way to entertain out of town guests, who often have not much to do. Of course now there’s insanity around it.

My daughter got married last year. No showers, no rehearsal, no bachelorette or stag, no wedding party and best of all no drama. Enough money saved from the budget we gave them for a fabulous honeymoon on safari in South Africa. And we loved every minute of the day

So for my rehearsal, I practiced in my heels to make sure I was able to come down the stairs. We also tried two different ways for the bridesmaids to come out. This also gave my girls time to practice in their heels. However, due to the floor type, one of my girls found her shoes weren’t compatible. They have purpose. Took maybe 30 minutes. We rehearsed high school graduation too.

My family are definitely performers so even if it wasn’t a thing, we would have done it. We practiced our parts for our dad’s funeral. For my brother’s wedding, I was 5 so it was basically for everyone to meet everyone. I don’t remember much except that I was told I was in charge by the pastor and could take as long as I needed to get the paper tissue hearts correct. My sister and parents knew it was a bad idea the next day when I was perfectionist putting the hearts down the aisle.

Rehearsal ceremony is basically to clear up any confusion on who you’re walking with and where to stand.. I feel like a lot of people get “stage fright” (because there’s usually a lot of people watching) and would not remember what they’re supposed to do if they didn’t rehearse even just once. Especially if you don’t have a planner, nobody will know what to do 😂 The dinner is just a more intimate meal to thank them for their time without the chaos of the wedding reception.

Eh, I didn’t have either and it was fine. The rehearsal dinner is for the wedding party and closer friends and family—-if you have the money for it, it can be nice

Is this a rich US people thing?