>Not quite. They don't rehearse the vows or speaches. Those are saved for the ceremony itself. Not everyone does rehersals, typically only big, fancy weddings.

Yeah, I figured it's only the fancy weddings, and not universal but - a meal - what's to rehearse? In case they don't know how to eat right?

One show I saw I was shocked to see the bride get up (the bride yet! they done speechify), at a rehearsal dinner, and give a speech about her groom. Obviously they don't rehearse the vows at the dinner - that's for the ceremony rehearsal.

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>>Just about one of the weirdest things I can't get my head round about the USA is the concept of wedding rehearsal dinners. It keeps cropping up on TV shows and films ("Killer Instinct", "Friends" just 2 exs that spring to mind). Now let me get this straight: Not only do the bride and groom need to rehearse the wedding ceremony - natural and sensible and practised over here - but all the wedding guests get together a day or 2 before the event and rehearse the actual wedding meal, food, speeches and all? So everyone's already heard the best man's amusing anecdotes, the groom's praise of his new wife, the father's musings on his daughter's youth, etc.? And the expanse of it!
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>>Have I got this straight?