Wedding Rehearsals

1. What is a wedding rehearsal?

Rehearsal must-haves include: you and your partner, your Marriage Officiant, and members in your wedding party (if any) that will be participating, and often parents and children. 

Essentially, a wedding rehearsal is a "walk-through" of your ceremony. It is not like a theatre or movie rehearsal where people have to practise speaking or singing. Instead, a rehearsal is a chance for you and your wedding party, and any family members who will be participating, to meet (especially if they haven't already met yet!), to become familiar with when to come in, where to stand, when to exchange vows, when to sign the marriage documents, how and when to perform unity rituals, and how to exit.

Accordingly, Marriage Officiants are the best people to guide you through your wedding rehearsal because they are the ceremony experts. Wedding coordinators often assist Officiants with related elements during a rehearsal, such as ensuring the ceremony site is clean and ready, timing the walking of the wedding party, opening doors for your grand entrance, etc... 

2. Is a wedding rehearsal always needed?

It is always a good idea to have a rehearsal if you have more than two people in your wedding party, and/or if you would like to include family or cultural wedding traditions in your ceremony (such as handfasting, wine cup, sand-blending, etc...).

Remember: a rehearsal is a "walk-through" of your CEREMONY, not of the wedding day itself. That being said, having a rehearsal can definitely help make your whole wedding day go more smoothly. 

3. When should I have my wedding rehearsal? 

Any time from the day before to one week before your wedding day works well. The day of your rehearsal will depend on the availability of your wedding party, the venue itself, and, of course, on your Marriage Officiant. If you are thinking of having your rehearsal the day before your wedding day, it is crucial that you check  availability with your wedding venue and with your Marriage Officiant, BEFORE booking your rehearsal. 

Avoid having your wedding rehearsal the evening before your wedding, if possible. Instead, try to plan your rehearsal on another day of the week. If your rehearsal must be on a Friday, then try to book it for the morning or at lunchtime or later in the evening. This way, you have a much better chance of ensuring that you will have both your Marriage Officiant and the venue available for your rehearsal and no one is scrambling at the last minute to get things done. 

4. Should my Officiant attend my wedding rehearsal?

Having your Officiant lead your rehearsal is always a good idea. Your Officiant is THE best person to guide you through your wedding ceremony process and can advise you and your wedding party on how, where, when to enter, walk, stand, sit, and exit. The goal is to help everyone feel more comfortable and confident with the ceremony proceedings and, ultimately, of the day itself.

Tip: Do keep your key ceremony elements, such as your vows, a surprise until your wedding day. 🙂 

5. Who runs the rehearsal - my Officiant or wedding planner? 

Your Officiant is the best person to lead your wedding rehearsal as the ceremony is their legal responsibility.

That being said, Officiants often work alonside on-site wedding coordinators to ensure that everyone knows what to do and to learn what the ground rules for a particular venue. On-site wedding coordinators know their venues well and will help you and your Officiant with such nuances as venue entrances and exits, DJ booth or live music setup, sound system capabilities, lighting, as well as backup areas/rooms in case of inclement weather. Your Officiant on the other hand, should be the one directing your wedding party as to when and how your attendants walk in during the Processional, where they stand and what they should be doing during the ceremony, and when and how they should leave during the Recessional.

6. How long does a wedding rehearsal take?

Rehearsals usually range from 30 to 60 minutes and should be straightforward for everyone involved. Essentially, your wedding party is there to learn when and how to walk in during the processional, where to stand or sit during your ceremony, and when and how to walk out during the recessional. Your Marriage Officiant will also go through the various parts of your ceremony to ensure everything goes smoothly on your wedding day. 

7. Should my photographer attend the rehearsal? 

Some couples like having before and after wedding photos. Others prefer just day-of wedding photos to keep the experience more of a surprise. Discuss your preferences and options with your photographer well ahead of your wedding day.

8. Should my musicians be at the rehearsal?

If you will have live music at your wedding, you do not need the singers, band members, or musical ensemble at your rehearsal. If, however, you do want them there because you and your partner, your wedding party, and/or your family members, will be walking in/out to specific pieces of music, then you may want to have those musicians attend your rehearsal as well. Keep in mind, however, that professional musicians may charge extra for  rehearsals or they may not be available on the day/evening that you would like your rehearsal. Discuss options with them well ahead of your wedding day. 

Katherine Dimou, B.A., M.B.A., WPICC
Licensed Marriage Officiant & Event Specialist
LifetimeCeremonies@gmail.com
www.LifetimeCeremonies.ca