Rehearsal Dinner Venues

SETTING THE SCENE THE NIGHT BEFORE

After diving head-first into wedding planning for several months – maybe even years – your head is swimming with the nitty-gritty details of your photography schedule, ceremony music, table settings and seating charts. While it’s tempting to just pick any spot for your rehearsal dinner, remember: this is the first impression that your family and wedding party (and any other guests you’ve invited) will receive of your big day. Most of them don’t know the details of the day of, so it’s important to choose a setting and atmosphere that set the right tone.

First, consider the message it will send guests about what’s to come. If your wedding has an intimate and relaxed feel, it makes more sense to plan the night before at a cozy local restaurant than a formal, highend dining destination, right? Luckily, you live in a region where dining options run the gamut—and to make your job easy, we’ve shared a few of our favorites!

ALBERTO’S RISTORANTE

If you’re looking for a cozy, romantic atmosphere, this Italian restaurant on Cape Cod is the perfect spot. Known for its out-of-this-world homemade pasta, Alberto’s offers several function room sizes— including a main dining room that seats 100—and a range of event styles, from casual cocktail parties with passed hors d'oeuvres to seated dinners. Hyannis, Massachusetts. (albertos.net)

Chapel Grille

Located in a former chapel, Chapel Grille serves top-notch Mediterranean Italian cuisine with a focus on local, seasonal ingredients. Its rehearsal dinner spaces include the lofted mezzanine, which is part of the original structure and overlooks a cathedral bar; the main-level conservatory room; the skyline terrace, a contemporary space with floor-to-ceiling windows and doors for al fresco-style dining; and the Wine Salon, the largest event space, which offers a private bar and access to a garden terrace. Cranston, Rhode Island. (chapelgrilleri.com)

Matadora

MATADORA

Located northwest of Boston, Matadora is an inspired dining destination complete with a bespoke design that features modern and urban finishes, and, most notably, a stately bull statue. Featuring a menu tailored to Spanish tapas and creative cocktails, the restaurant offers couples a chic, upscale place to host their pre-ceremony celebration. Woburn, Massachusetts. (matadorarestaurant.com)

NAKED

OYSTER BISTRO & RAW BAR

Fresh, local seafood is the name of the game at this French bistro in downtown Hyannis on Cape Cod. Owned by executive chef Florence Lowell, the restaurant’s menu features oysters from its very own oyster farm in Barnstable Harbor—oysters you can’t find anywhere else. Private dining spaces include the smaller Wine Cellar downstairs, seating 12-20 guests, and two upper-level rooms for larger parties. Hyannis, Massachusetts. (nakedoyster.com)

Tosca

Located in the heart of downtown Hingham near the town’s historic harbor, this culinary landmark is perfect for intimate celebrations, lauded for their contemporary, Italian-inspired cuisine and exceptional service. Couples may choose to host their gatherings in several event spaces, including the restaurant’s rustic “Wine Room” and the sophisticated “Salon.” Hingham, Massachusetts. (toscahingham.com)