At the rehearsal dinner is when the reality of getting married starts to set in, and it's so exciting. But this pre-emptive event is also when you start to realize how nerve-wracking it can be to just want to make sure that everything goes perfectly. Don't worry, though – that's the point of the rehearsal dinner!

Of course, to ensure that everything goes well at the wedding, you need to make sure that your wedding party comes to the rehearsal dinner. Most couples send out their rehearsal dinner invitations the same day that they send out their wedding invitations – about 6-8 weeks in advance. It makes planning easier for the guests, and ensures that you don't forget to mail them! However, because the rehearsal dinner is usually at a separate location and on a different day from the actual wedding, you should also require a separate RSVP.

Picking out the invitations is the fun part. Most people choose to match the color and style of the two invitations, with enough differentiation to avoid confusing the guests. However, you could always have a totally different and more whimsical theme for your rehearsal invites – have fun with the big selection!