Caribbean
Rehearsal dinners are a joyous tradition and necessity before a wedding. If your wedding will be taking place in the Caribbean, you may wish to create an island themed rehearsal dinner to match. From food and décor to favors and entertainment, your event should be filled with the sights and sounds of the Caribbean. Whether you opt for a more formal gathering indoors or an informal party on the beach, here you will find various ideas to make your Caribbean rehearsal dinner an island success.
Food
With your caterer or restaurant, create a menu focused on the flavorful and colorful ingredients for which the Caribbean is known. Some popular dishes include jerk chicken, kabobs, curries, ropa vieja and coconut shrimp. Caribbean meals usually include some form of seasoned rice. Add fresh local fruits and vegetables like jicama, mango, okra, plantains and yuca. Tropical drinks like margaritas and daiquiris, as well as local fruit juices, will add a colorful splash to your menu.
Décor
The decorations for your event should be bright and colorful, in hues of green, orange and yellow. Use natural materials like bamboo, leaves and palm branches to add flair. Your tablecloths and cloth napkins can have exotic floral patterns and textures. The tables can house runners made of sinamy or other natural-fiber fabric, while banana leaves can make unique plate chargers or placemats. Ribbons and beads can add whimsy, and place cards can be replaced with small seashell frames. Fresh flowers and local fruit in wooden bowls or woven trays will create dazzling centerpieces. Use small glass bowls with a single large bloom near each place setting for an island scent. Smooth beach stones and shells can be scattered over the tables as a final touch.
Favors
Your shell-encrusted frame place holders can double as party favors, with the bride and groom's name and date on the back. A clean clam shell holding candies, mints or nuts and wrapped in transparent fabric and tied with beaded ribbon can be a lovely and inexpensive treat for each guest.
Entertainment
Set a festive atmosphere by playing island music that incorporates local instruments like the steel drums. Reggae music is also quite popular in the Caribbean. Collect simple percussion instruments (maracas, castanets and sticks or blocks) for your guests to play along. For the limbo, use buckets of sand to hold poles and two guests holding the cross pole. The winner gets to kiss the bride or groom.
Tags: bride groom, event should, local fruit, rehearsal dinner, your event