Our daughter's future in-laws asked yesterday if they could host the rehearsal dinner at their house. They want to string white lights in the trees and fire up the barbecue. Yay! Sounds fun to me!
Our oldest daughter had a low country boil in a building on the college campus where she was married. The in-laws had friends who agreed to come to north Georgia and cater it. It was fantastic! The shrimp were massive!
Regarding wearing your old dress: the week before she was married, my oldest daughter put on my gown, we fixed her hair like mine was at my wedding, and she put on my veil. Then she walked into our bedroom and smiled at my husband, who did the biggest doubletake you ever saw. You see, she looks almost exactly like I did at that age and for a moment,he must have thought he'd gone over the edge.