WEDDING REHEARSAL TIPS
I personally don’t see a big need for a rehearsal if you plan everything out in advance. This guide will help you with all the details of the ceremony, step-by-step. My fee does not include me attending a rehearsal. I charge $100 less than my standard ceremony fee for a rehearsal. Save your money and follow these steps!
(I realize that not all couples are “Brides” and “Grooms”- Adjust accordingly!)
- Aisle Runner – Decide when to roll out. Usually its just for the bride. Very often it gets ripped and people trip over it if it is not secured properly with tape. Fabric runners are better but more costly than paper. Have someone secure the runner with tape at the front\alter area before your guests are seated. It will then be rolled out by 2 people (venue staff or groomsmen) to the back of the room where the bride is waiting after the bridal party has entered. If it is a monogrammed runner that is customized, it is rolled out before the guests arrive and the entire bridal party walks on it.
- Music – Choose the song to be played. Time it so it ends when the bride is at the front. Determine who will start and stop the music if not live or no DJ. Live band should be aware of when to stop playing when bride arrives next to groom. (Do not play background music during ceremony, its distracting.)
- Processional – This is where parents, bridal party, officiant, flower girl, ring bearer, groom and bride walk down the aisle. You decide how you want people to go. If you are having children in the wedding party, practice with them. Have someone they recognize at the front. Decide if they will stay at the front with the bridal party or be seated after they come down. Use fake rings if small child. Dont knot the rings if on a pillow. Use a bow. If Dad is walking down with Bride, have him give a kiss, shake the grooms hand and then stand next to the guests. Dads sometimes get nervous and just stand there. If Bride has a veil covering face, Dad can uncover at this time. Dont wear the veil the entire time during the ceremony, its bad for your photos. Typically, the Groom, Groomsmen and Grooms family are on the right as they walk down the aisle. The Bride, Bridesmaids and the Brides family are then on the left. Jewish tradition usually reverses this.
- Maid of Honor will quickly fix Brides dress so it looks nice for photos. Bride can hold her flowers for now. Ill ask you to hand them to your Maid of Honor later in the ceremony.
- Ill start ceremony. The couple can just relax and enjoy while facing each other.
- Vows. You will repeat the words after me. Easy. If you have your own written vows, I can either hold them or have your bridal party hold them. Dont put your vows on your phone. You will want to re read them to each other every anniversary.
- Rings. I will ask for the rings from whomever you have decided to hold the rings. I request that the rings be handed to me one at a time, not in the box.
- I will pronounce you married. You get to kiss!
- Recessional music will start AFTER I introduce you as Mr. & Mrs. ….etc..
- Bride gets flowers back.
- Couple walks down aisle. Make a mark on the aisle for where to stop for a photo. Bridal party can start to come down the aisle as well. I will direct your exit. Seated parents and grand parents in the first row will also exit while guests are still standing.
- I will be last to leave. (If need be I can make an announcement of where cocktail party is.)
- We can have a pre-arranged place to meet after ceremony to sign the wedding license. Have the photographer know this in advance if you want pictures of this. Your 1 or 2 witnesses will also be with us to sign. Remind them that they need to show me government issued photo ID. You the couple do not need to show me ID. As all your guests will want to mob you with kisses, photos and congratulations, lets sign the license before all of that happens.