Things You Should Know for Your Ceremony Rehearsal
Who Should Attend:
The Bride and Groom
All Members of the Wedding Party (including ring bearer and flower girl)
Individuals with Special Roles During the Ceremony (readers, lighting candles, etc.)
Ushers
Musicians or Soloists (optional)
Officiant(s)
Parents of the Bride and Groom
Grandparents (optional)
Wedding Liaison (That's me!)
Where & When
The rehearsal is usually held at the ceremony location the night or two before the wedding. However, if the ceremony
location is unavailable, the rehearsal can be held at an alternative location.
Tips for Your Rehearsal
Make sure everyone in the rehearsal knows the time and directions to the location. Some brides send out invitations
for the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner along with directions for those that may be unfamiliar with the location. The
goal is to get everyone there on time!
Let your Officiant and Wedding Liaison run the rehearsal. He or she should give directions to everyone in terms of
the flow, order of events, where and when to enter and where to stand at the altar. The Wedding Liaison assists the
minister or we agree on who directs what portion of the ceremony.
Don't try to add anything new to the ceremony that wasn't already talked about and agreed upon with your Officiant.
It will only add confusion to the ceremony and the rehearsal.
All those with special roles should rehearse their part. Readers may only want to practice a few lines - or they may
wish to rehearse their entire passage. Instruct the readers on how to adjust the microphone, if necessary. Make it
clear where the reading (the actual piece of paper) will be located. Will the notes be at the podium or will the reader
need to carry them up to the podium? For an evening or candlelight service, make sure there will be sufficient light to
be able to read.
Be aware and make sure at the end of the rehearsal that everyone is comfortable with his or her role.
All of the wedding party should practice walking down the aisle to make sure that everyone follows the same pace.
Children (flower girls and ring bearers) may need extra practice time to make them feel comfortable walking down the
aisle. Depending on their age, you may want the children to sit with a parent or with someone they are comfortable
with instead of standing with the wedding party which may make them fidgety. The bride and her attendants should
also discuss how their bouquets should be held (i.e. up high, in the middle, or down low). You want a consistent look
for the pictures and video.
The Wedding Liaison or Officiant should also instruct the ushers on how to seat mothers, grandmothers and wedding
guests. Ushers should also receive instructions on rolling out the aisle runner if one is being used.
Who Should Attend:
The Bride and Groom
All Members of the Wedding Party (including ring bearer and flower girl)
Individuals with Special Roles During the Ceremony (readers, lighting candles, etc.)
Ushers
Musicians or Soloists (optional)
Officiant(s)
Parents of the Bride and Groom
Grandparents (optional)
Wedding Liaison (That's me!)
Where & When
The rehearsal is usually held at the ceremony location the night or two before the wedding. However, if the ceremony
location is unavailable, the rehearsal can be held at an alternative location.
Tips for Your Rehearsal
Make sure everyone in the rehearsal knows the time and directions to the location. Some brides send out invitations
for the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner along with directions for those that may be unfamiliar with the location. The
goal is to get everyone there on time!
Let your Officiant and Wedding Liaison run the rehearsal. He or she should give directions to everyone in terms of
the flow, order of events, where and when to enter and where to stand at the altar. The Wedding Liaison assists the
minister or we agree on who directs what portion of the ceremony.
Don't try to add anything new to the ceremony that wasn't already talked about and agreed upon with your Officiant.
It will only add confusion to the ceremony and the rehearsal.
All those with special roles should rehearse their part. Readers may only want to practice a few lines - or they may
wish to rehearse their entire passage. Instruct the readers on how to adjust the microphone, if necessary. Make it
clear where the reading (the actual piece of paper) will be located. Will the notes be at the podium or will the reader
need to carry them up to the podium? For an evening or candlelight service, make sure there will be sufficient light to
be able to read.
Be aware and make sure at the end of the rehearsal that everyone is comfortable with his or her role.
All of the wedding party should practice walking down the aisle to make sure that everyone follows the same pace.
Children (flower girls and ring bearers) may need extra practice time to make them feel comfortable walking down the
aisle. Depending on their age, you may want the children to sit with a parent or with someone they are comfortable
with instead of standing with the wedding party which may make them fidgety. The bride and her attendants should
also discuss how their bouquets should be held (i.e. up high, in the middle, or down low). You want a consistent look
for the pictures and video.
The Wedding Liaison or Officiant should also instruct the ushers on how to seat mothers, grandmothers and wedding
guests. Ushers should also receive instructions on rolling out the aisle runner if one is being used.
| Copyright © 2009 Carolyn Burke - Wedding Liaison |
Ceremony Rehearsal
