Beignets at Acadiana. Photo: Sarah De Heer

Surprisingly, I find that more and more of my friends are skipping the rehearsal and the rehearsal dinner altogether. While it does save money and even some hassle, I couldn't help but have everyone gather around for another meal to celebrate our nuptials.

If Jon and I were getting married in our home state (New Jersey), I would have loved a backyard barbecue with all the fixings. But since we're getting married in Washington, D.C., we decided we'd have to forgo the backyard shindig and opt for a restaurant. But which one to choose?

With cost as the ultimate factor, Jon and I needed this restaurant to mean something to us, on top of trusting it to produce a show-stopping meal. It didn't take long for us to realize that Acadiana, located in the heart of D.C., would be the spot.

Read on for our menu and why it means so much to us.

It's important that we try a different restaurant every time we make the trip down, and on our second anniversary, it was my turn to pick the place. Sitting down for the first time at Acadiana, I was greeted by a menu that made us salivate, one item after another.

The dishes proved to be superb and, of equal importance, our waitress made our evening memorable. When the overall experience of the restaurant from start to finish is seamless, it leaves a distinct memory, especially when followed by excellent beignets for dessert!

That's when Jon and I decided to break our vow to try a new restaurant every time. Even if it's just for beignets and a cocktail, we make an appearance at Acadiana several times a year. Jon and I even celebrated our engagement over a big bowl of Roasted Sweet Corn and Blue Crab Soup, a trio of deviled eggs and barbecued shrimp.

Trio of deviled eggs. Photo: Sarah De Heer

We rented out the back room of the restaurant to give us some more privacy. Settling on a menu has been difficult, as I'd love for all my guests to experience the entire menu! So far, I'm weighing the Chicken and Andouille Sausage Gumbo or Roasted Sweet Corn and Blue Crab Soup for an appetizer, and for the entrée, Shrimp and Grits, Blackened Tilapia and the Grilled Beef Tenderloin fillet to please the masses.

The reception and ceremony receive the most attention and I often feel most couples don't emphasize the rehearsal dinner enough. For foodies, it's another chance to share something special and meaningful with your loved ones. Try to pick a spot where you've shared a special date or if you're doing something at home, try to recreate a dish that just made you both go gaga.

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