wedding rehearsal?

[ldw1201]

I am the MOH for my sister's wedding on May 24. We are a little confused on this rehearsal thing....are we supposed to just get everyone comfortable with the venue and where they will walk from/to and then the DJ does the whole music timing thing on the day of? Or are we supposed to bring music to the rehearsal and actually practice walking with that? If so. doesn't that kinda ruin the whole walking down the isle thing if everyone has seen the bride practice with music already?

Any pointers on how to run a smooth rehearsal would be appreciated.

Thanks!!!

[sweetvenus]

Typically, here is how a rehearsal works:

First, everyone finds out where they will be standing at the front, in what order, etc. Then you practice the processional. It's a good idea to practice it with the music if possible because timing needs to be figured out and whatnot. Everyone lines up in the back like you will on the day of the wedding and walks through the processional.

Sometimes the officiant is at the rehearsal, sometimes not. If so, he/she will guide you through the basic parts of the ceremony, any readers will find out when they need to do readings, when the unity candle (if having one) will be lit, that sort of thing. If the officiant isn't there, a day of coordinator can do it, or otherwise, the bride will instruct.

After you run through the outline of the ceremony (not everything is read, of course, you just need to get the general idea of the order things will happen in), you rehearsal the recessional.

Then run through the processional and recessional one more time, and that's it.

It doesn't ruin anything, since the bride isn't in her dress and there's generally a much more casual vibe at a rehearsal and people are more focused on figuring out what to do.

[Jenna5366]

Typically, here is how a rehearsal works:

First, everyone finds out where they will be standing at the front, in what order, etc. Then you practice the processional. It's a good idea to practice it with the music if possible because timing needs to be figured out and whatnot. Everyone lines up in the back like you will on the day of the wedding and walks through the processional.

Sometimes the officiant is at the rehearsal, sometimes not. If so, he/she will guide you through the basic parts of the ceremony, any readers will find out when they need to do readings, when the unity candle (if having one) will be lit, that sort of thing. If the officiant isn't there, a day of coordinator can do it, or otherwise, the bride will instruct.

After you run through the outline of the ceremony (not everything is read, of course, you just need to get the general idea of the order things will happen in), you rehearsal the recessional.

Then run through the processional and recessional one more time, and that's it.

It doesn't ruin anything, since the bride isn't in her dress and there's generally a much more casual vibe at a rehearsal and people are more focused on figuring out what to do.

I couldn’t have said it better!!

[ldw1201]

Thank you ladies! There will not be an officiant there that day, and to get a coordinator was going to be another $150, so we will have to figure this out ourselves.

[Hope75]

Is there not a member of the church who typically coordinates weddings that will do it for you as part of what you pay to use the church?

Our church charges 500$ for the use of the church and the services, and it includes a coordinator present at the rehearsal to walk us through it. My sister's wedding last year, it was the same thing.

[Karyanne20]

We will have everything decided prior to the rehearsal and will just show everybody what they will need to do on the actual day.

[sandy03]

I would also suggest that if you let the parents/grandparents and groomsmen/ushers practice the seating thing so that the ushers will know who goes with what side and where they are supposed to go, and also practice their pace (especially if there are older family members that may need to take things a little slower!)

If your site coordinator isn't going to be there for the rehearsal, I would suggest making a cheat sheet for him/her so that everyone will be on the same page the day of to ensure everything runs smoothly.