Rehearsal Ceremony Tips

Of course, I have tips for all areas of your wedding, but I'll start with the Rehearsal Ceremony.  Not one the most difficult aspects to wedding planning but certainly one that can cause some headaches.

1. Make sure everyone knows what time it starts.  If it starts at 6pm, then it needs to be clear it STARTS at 6pm, not that people should just start arriving at 6pm.

2. Figure out who is in charge.  Does your pastor/rabbi/officiant want to run the ceremony or will your wedding planner be in charge of organizing the ceremony?  Or, do you have a ceremony coordinator on site?  If so, try to meet with him/her before the rehearsal so you will get a feeling for their style. 

3. Have directions to the rehearsal ceremony and then to the dinner after.  This way there is no confusion for the people that have come in from out of town. 

4. This may seem silly, but make sure everyone stays sober.  Depending on your religions and traditions there may be a lot for your bridal party to remember AND to listen to, the last thing you need is someone being tipsy then and missing our on their part the next day.

5. Try to explain what roles each person will have and whether you want them to practice at the rehearsal ceremony.  If your uncle is doing a reading, tell him if he should do the actual reading or if you just want him to stand up to acknowledge he is doing it.

6.  Have all the props that you need, there that evening.  You are going to be nervous and stressed and the last thing you want to do is just "wing it" without something there.  Make a list of items, have someone make sure they are all there, that way they will be there when you arrive the next day as well.

7. Make it clear to everyone that this rehearsal is a BIG deal and that they need to pay attention.  Be sure to explain to your family and friends WHO is running the ceremony so they know who to listen to and follow for direction.  Rehearsals have last two or three hours long because of "rowdy" bridal parties and too many people trying to give direction.

8.  Have opinions on what you want to see.  You will be at the end of your ability to make decisions at this point, but force yourself through one last night of details.  If you don't "care" or it doesn't matter anymore, someone else will be making the decision for you, and you may not be happy with the results.

9. Stay on schedule.  You will more than likely have some type of event scheduled after the rehearsal so keep track of time.  Your guests may have just come from work, or from driving a long way, and they too will want to head out for dinner sooner rather than later.  You'll have plenty of time to catch up with everyone at the rehearsal dinner, so keep on track with doing only what you came for, rehearsing. 

10. Relax.  This is the one part of your wedding day you get to "practice" and it doesn't get much better than that.  You actually get to run through this process one, maybe even two times so trust me, you will be ready by your wedding day.  You'll be too nervous/excited/anxious the next day to remember much anyhow, so just enjoy the night before your wedding day. 

Hope those tips help!  Keep on the lookout for more to come!

Happy Planning!
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