Wedding Rehearsal Planning: Wedding ceremony rehearsal. What are they for? Do you *really* need to do a wedding rehearsal? What is the purpose of this? In this article, we are answering your wedding rehearsal questions to help you out!
- What is a wedding rehearsal anyway?
- But WHAT are wedding rehearsals for?
- Do you *need* to have a wedding rehearsal?
- How about your jitters?
- Go over your timeline
- The Rehearsal Dinner
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What is a wedding rehearsal anyway?
Wedding rehearsals are done to “practice” how things “will” happen at your wedding. There is usually a focus on the ceremony part for rehearsals as there will be other people involved. From walking down the aisle, the timing, the vows, the order of ceremony, who will sit where, and other similar activities.
If your wedding reception will also have quite a lot of activities and performances that involve your family, friends, and specific people, there is also most likely a need to rehearse those as well to ensure that it will go smoothly as planned on your wedding day.
But WHAT are wedding rehearsals for?
This is a good time to remind and ensure that you, your partner, and everyone involved understand their “role” on the day of your wedding. 2-3 days before the wedding is a good time to do the rehearsal.
Do you *need* to have a wedding rehearsal?
Of course, nothing about your wedding is mandatory, as it all depends on you. However, it is important to note that depending on where you are getting married, the institution or venue might possibly require you to have the rehearsal, either with a minister or the ceremony leader/institution representative.
This is also a great opportunity to *time* certain activities and make necessary adjustments.
Perhaps, while doing the rehearsal, you realized that if every bridesmaid and groomsman (even the little ones; flower girls, and ring bearer!) walked on their own, it might take too much time, and so you might decide that pairing or grouping them in 3’s might work better for your time.
Another thing is you might realize that there is a need for a mic during the ceremony (especially the vow reading) people at the back of the venue can *barely* hear you.
You might have initially designed to put flower arrangements along the aisle, only to realize that while you are wearing your dress, it will be too tight and you might knock over some of the arrangements without even knowing it.
At this time, you might need to space it out by moving the arrangements *inside* the side of the pews and not on the aisle.
Lots of things might come up during the rehearsal and it will help you troubleshoot and stress *less* on your wedding day since you already *know* what will *possibly* happen. There will be no more surprises or last-minute changes on your wedding day!
Walk through the ceremony procession, ensuring everyone knows where to stand and when to walk down the aisle.
Talk about cues and transitions. Go over any specific cues or timing details, such as when to exchange rings or when the music should start and stop.
RELATED: WEDDING REHEARSAL ACTIVITIES & ENTERTAINMENT
How about your jitters? (why wedding rehearsal planning is important!)
You can iron out pre-wedding jitters during the wedding rehearsal. If you are worried about something specific, do it or try it during the rehearsal.
The *experience* of doing it (already), whether it is walking down the aisle, reading your vows, or other ceremony activities, whatever it is that makes you nervous, tackle it.
Also, talk about it with your bridal party, this way they can provide support where you need it.
Doing something for the first time sends some level of nervousness, however, because you’ve already *done* something at the rehearsal when you do it on your wedding day, you will feel more confident as you’ve already got those first-time jitters off your chest at the wedding rehearsal!
Go over your timeline
Now that you have most likely finalized your wedding timeline, have your bridal party and your *support* team (and necessary wedding vendors!) go over the details with you.
Did your time allocation work based on what happened at the wedding rehearsal? What other changes should you apply? Are there any other aspects of the wedding timeline you’d want to double-check or *practice*?
The Rehearsal Dinner (an important part of the wedding rehearsal planning!)
After the *wedding rehearsal* there is usually a meal or gathering, often dinner, to gather and celebrate everyone who attended the wedding rehearsal.
We usually suggest a restaurant as a great place for a wedding rehearsal! If you can host it at your home, that will also be great. But if you want to clear your home from people and you have a lot of wedding stuff already boxed up, a restaurant will be your best.
No cleaning, no moving, super low maintenance and not to mention, great food! Restaurants that have private areas give you the privacy that you need.
Most wedding rehearsals are usually done on a weeknight. This means you will most likely be able to book tables and space at a restaurant, and they will be more than happy to accommodate your large group.
Restaurants, especially the ones that have in-house entertainment like DJ or guitarist/singer will also be great for you as you can use them as entertainment while you are having your dinner.
This night is also a great time to acknowledge and thank everyone who is at the rehearsal dinner for being present. This is also a great time to open the space for speeches.
Assuming the immediate people; your parents, maid of honor, and best man are giving a speech on your *actual* wedding day, other bridal party members and family might want to also share their sentiments on how they are happy for you.
At this rehearsal dinner, you may give them a *chance* to speak up and express their happiness. Mentioning them during your and your partner’s speech at the dinner will truly be memorable and heartwarming.
If you get the chance to have a projector, create some videos that show the memories of everyone who attended the wedding rehearsal.
Purchase some Polaroid cameras to also create memories of this night. A DIY wedding photobooth also helps with the fun!
Having this *wedding rehearsal* actually helps you, your partner, and everyone involved to be more present during the wedding day since all of the questions and whatever insights or emotions were already addressed prior.
