Who should be invited to the rehearsal dinner? Should we include out of town guests that aren't part of the wedding party? What about the reception MC?

The choice of rehearsal dinner guest list is up to you. Some people include only the people who are involved in the wedding ceremony -- bridal party and guests and kids, anyone doing a reading or a musician who will be at the rehearsal (no need to invite them separately), the officiant and his or her guest, and parents and grandparents who will take part in the processional and recessional, unity candle lighting, etc. For some couples, this adds up to a rather large guest list.

Talk with your entire wedding planning team about how many out of town guests you all have staying at the hotel, plus close relatives and friends, and if it would be realistic to invite them to the rehearsal dinner. For some weddings, that would add up to a *lot* of people, almost another wedding. So it's become a new trend for the planning group to talk about how many other guests to include in the rehearsal dinner, if any, and if the group would be too big and too expensive for the hosts, then a separate event is planned for out-of-town guests, such as a cocktail party for all of you after the rehearsal dinner. Or, parents invite their guests to their house, while the bride and groom get together with their out of town friends and bridal party for an at-home or going-out event after the rehearsal dinner. It's good manners to provide restaurant names and directions for out-of-town guests' to use that night, so include a printed card in their welcome baskets. Wedding guests know that not everyone can be invited to the actual rehearsal dinner, so they're not surprised to be 'on their own' for a little while that night.

The reception emcee does not have to be invited to the rehearsal dinner.