If the brides parents have a good excuse for not being able to attend the rehearsal dinner it isn't the end of the world and you can still have the rehearsal dinner. If there was a disagreement and the bride's parents refuse to come it is up to the bride to be to let her parents know that it is going to be one of the happiest days of her life and they are ruining the fun by not attending the rehearsal dinner. If they still decline then have fun with the ones that will be attending the rehearsal dinner.