Category: Rehearsal Dinner

Though the pre-wedding bash is a long-established tradition, remember that it really only has one prerequisite: it follows the wedding rehearsal. Instead of making it an extension of the wedding, consider the rehearsal dinner a chance to host an event that’s fresh and unexpected. Following are some of our favorite locations for rehearsal dinners.

My father is Middle Eastern, my mother hails from Louisiana’s Cajun country, and I’m proud to say that both cultures have always been an integral part of who I am. I can make hummus and shrimp gumbo pretty darn well, and I can swear in Arabic and Cajun French if the need arises. We’re also Texans, so that means we all can whip up a mean barbecue, too. When I became engaged to Jon, who has Nordic and German roots, we just sprinkled a few more ingredients into our family’s melting pot.

California’s Central Coast, celebrated for its charming wineries and photogenic vineyards, also lures visitors with landmarks like Hearst Castle, and the chance to golf, surf or go horseback riding amidst spectacular natural scenery. If you’re planning a honeymoon or destination wedding in one of the area’s picturesque towns, you might think beyond the winery.

I recently visited Ca’ del Sole Ristorante for Here Comes The Guide, and I have to say: If you’re looking for a great venue for wedding rehearsal dinners, wedding receptions and bridal showers, this North Hollywood restaurant should be on the list:

The Dream Inn, a Santa Cruz landmark, has just reopened after a fantastic retro-chic makeover—and their stylish new oceanview banquet space is so ready for primetime.

Alas, opportunities to indulge my fantasy were non-existent until recently, when I boarded the Napa Valley Wine Train. Granted, I wasn’t traversing the entire continent of Europe (and, truth be told, I’m no countess), but the 3-hour journey through the Wine Country was a pure delight.

The second part of our wedding anniversary road trip was as fun and romantic as the first. My husband Jaya and I drove to Half Moon Bay, a quaint little town along the coastline where the air is fresh, the people are friendly, and the pace is slow. By the way, this is also a great spot for a honeymoon by the sea, too.

Domaine Carneros made the decision to farm sustainably when they opened over two decades ago,so it was only natural that they began moving toward being a completely organically farmed winery. They also happen to have the first sparkling wine to be certified organic by the California Certified Organic Farmers, as of April 2008.

If you’re thinking of getting married in the sunny and warm Los Angeles area, here are a few places that are so unique, you really only can experience them in LA.

My mother, a true Anglophile, brought me up surrounded by more than a few of her favorite British things. The first real, hearty books I read as a child were Agatha Christie mysteries and Charles Dickens novels. Every Thursday was Masterpiece Theatre night featuring an array of her favorite actors from the UK, and I was probably the only 12-year-old kid in school who (at the time, don’t quiz me now) knew the entire history of the English Royal Family.

Even if you aren’t aspiring to be like the “Real Housewives of Orange County,” you’re likely to find an wedding venue in the OC that seems like it was made just for you. Here’s a taste of this region’s vast range of options: