I have been a bride twice and the rehearsal dinner location never phased me either time...actually we didnt have one the 2nd...as it was a destination wedding. Wasn't much choice on the location. It didn't matter we had a great time.

I think more than the who's paying for it..something needs to be said for feasiblilty of the person taking on the task. I am the mother of the groom now. If I am doing the cooking, I want the the resources at my disposal. I don't want to be cooking in an unfamiliar kitchen. Or trying to haul food 20 miles if I can do it just down the street. If we choose a resturant, I want something nice, but affordable. I'm not saying I wouldn't ask my son and FDIL what they would like, cause I probably will...

Also, many times friends and family offer to help with the food and preparations. If someone offered to help me with the dinner, I am certainly going to invite them to stay.

Remember, especially when having a home meal, that there is alot of clean up to a rehearsal dinner, and with a wedding the next day...there's not much time to put the home back in order.

Another angle to consider...The wedding is primarily the bride and brides family's show...The rehearsal is the grooms family's time to shine, so to speak. I agree with an earlier post...just sit back and enjoy it, its one less thing you have to worry about.

Just my thoughts, from both perspectives and being both a recent bride and a MOG.