Rehearsing Your Wedding: At-Home Practice For The Big Day

Wedding rehearsals are an important part of the wedding planning process. They are a chance for the wedding party to run through the ceremony, usually the day before the wedding, and ensure everyone knows their cues, from the processional to the recessional. While it is not mandatory to have a wedding rehearsal, it is recommended for more formal or larger weddings, especially if there are children participating. The rehearsal ensures that the wedding party is comfortable with the pacing, their entrances and exits, and their positions during the ceremony. It also provides an opportunity for both families to bond and spend quality time together before the wedding. The wedding rehearsal is typically followed by a rehearsal dinner, a smaller celebration that allows the couple to honour their wedding party and spend time with loved ones.

Who should attend the wedding rehearsal?

A wedding rehearsal is a great way to ensure that everyone involved knows their role, from walking down the aisle to standing in the right place. It is also a good opportunity to relieve nerves and ensure the bridal party is as relaxed and prepared as possible.

There is no definitive list of who should attend the wedding rehearsal, but there are key people who should be there. As a minimum, the couple, the wedding party, parents, the officiant, and the DJ or performers should be present. It is also a good idea to have any younger wedding party members, such as flower girls or ring bearers, in attendance so they can familiarise themselves with the venue and their duties.

The wedding rehearsal is also a good time for ceremony readers and performers to be present. They don't need to go over everything they will be doing on the day, but it gives them a chance to get a sense of the space and their cues.

In addition, it is a good idea to invite anyone who will be walking down the aisle or moving during the ceremony. This includes ushers, bridesmaids, and groomsmen. If there is a specific order that people will be walking in, it is important that they know this in advance so they can practice.

The wedding rehearsal is also a good opportunity for the couple to brief their wedding party on any other details, such as where they want guests to sit and if there is a specific order for guests to leave at the end of the ceremony.

Overall, the wedding rehearsal is a chance for the key players in the wedding to come together and ensure they are all on the same page. It is a time to relieve nerves and ensure that everyone knows their role, so the more people who can attend, the better.

What is the dress code?

The dress code for a wedding rehearsal will depend on the venue and the wedding itself. If the wedding is black-tie, the rehearsal dinner will likely be formal, too. If the wedding is more casual, the rehearsal dinner will likely be semi-formal or cocktail attire.

If the wedding rehearsal is at a restaurant, look up the dress code and dress accordingly. Even if the restaurant is casual, wear dress pants or a skirt and a collared shirt or blouse at a minimum. If the rehearsal is at a private location, like a country club, check their dress code online. Many country clubs require men to wear a jacket.

If the wedding rehearsal is at someone's home, you can probably dress more casually. However, jeans, t-shirts, loungewear, and athletic clothes are still generally considered too casual for a wedding rehearsal.

As a general rule, it's better to be overdressed than underdressed. If you're unsure, opt for business casual attire. For men, this means dress slacks or khakis and a collared shirt. For women, this means a blouse and a skirt or dress pants.

If you're part of the wedding party, you can probably dress up a little more to celebrate the couple. As a guest, you might want to stick with something more understated to keep the focus on the couple and their families.

When choosing an outfit, consider the colors and theme of the wedding. It's generally best to avoid wearing the wedding colors to the rehearsal, especially if you're part of the wedding party. White should also be avoided, as it is typically reserved for the couple.

Accessories can help take your outfit to the next level. Choose fine fabrics like silk, satin, velvet, and embroidered floral jacquards. For jewelry, consider fun accessories like bold earrings or a bracelet stack.

For men, the groom's outfit should match the level of formality of the bride's outfit. If she's wearing a cocktail dress, a suit is appropriate. If she's wearing a day dress, slacks, a collared shirt, and a necktie are sufficient.

If you're still unsure about the dress code, don't be afraid to ask the couple or other guests for their input.

How long does it last?

The length of a wedding rehearsal depends on several factors, such as the size of the wedding party, the complexity of the ceremony, and the level of organisation. Most sources suggest that wedding rehearsals last between 30 minutes and one hour. This includes time for the wedding party to arrive and chat before the rehearsal officially begins.

If you are conducting your wedding rehearsal at home, it is important to consider the space available and whether it accurately reflects the ceremony venue. If your ceremony is outdoors, rehearsing at the same time of day as the ceremony will help you understand the position of the sun and any adjustments that need to be made.

If your wedding is small, with few or no attendants, and does not include any traditions, customs, or special readings, you may not need to have a formal rehearsal. However, if your wedding is more formal and larger in scope, or if you have children participating in the ceremony, a rehearsal is recommended to ensure a smooth processional and a flawless ceremony on the wedding day.

During the rehearsal, the wedding officiant, venue manager, or wedding planner/coordinator will go over each aspect of the ceremony, including the processional and recessional. It is important to allow time for people to arrive, especially if they are coming from out of town. Punctuality and organisation will help ensure that the rehearsal stays on schedule.

After the rehearsal, there is usually a rehearsal dinner that lasts about two to three hours. This is a chance for the couple to spend time with their closest loved ones and for both families to gather and kick off the wedding celebrations. It is important to keep the rehearsal and dinner to a reasonable length, as the wedding day will be a busy one.

What happens during the rehearsal?

A wedding rehearsal is a run-through of the ceremony, usually conducted the day before. It's an opportunity to iron out any creases and ensure everyone knows what they're doing and when. It's especially important if your wedding is more formal and larger in scope, and if you have children participating in the ceremony.

Here's a rough breakdown of what happens during the rehearsal:

• Introduction and formalities (5 minutes): Start with a formal introduction of everyone involved in the wedding ceremony, especially if some people are meeting for the first time. This includes parents, the officiant, the wedding party (including child attendants), and any readers or performers.
• Usher instructions (5 minutes): If the groomsmen will be serving as ushers, instruct them on where to stand to greet guests, how to accompany them to their chairs, and whether to direct them to a certain side of the aisle.
• Music timing (5 minutes): Whether you're having live music or recorded music during the ceremony, make sure it's timed correctly. Designate who will be in charge of starting and stopping the music and communicate this with the relevant parties.
• Processional practice (15 minutes, run through twice): The processional is the entrance to the wedding ceremony. Practice the processional entrance to music so that everyone is comfortable with the pace, their cues, and where to go. You may want to do a couple of run-throughs if you have young attendants.
• Readings practice (10 minutes): The officiant should review how they will lead the ceremony, and any readers can practice their readings aloud, at the designated location, and using a microphone if one will be used.
• Special movements for the Maid of Honor and Best Man: Communicate any special requests for the Maid/Matron of Honor or Best Man and have them practice, for example, presenting the rings or organising the bride's dress.
• Recessional order practice (10 minutes): The recessional is usually in the reverse order of the processional. Practice the exit, deciding on pairs for the wedding party, and designating if you'd like your ushers to release guests to a receiving line.
• Final Q&A (5 minutes): After the practice run, bring everyone together to answer any questions and cover when and where they should meet for the actual wedding.
• Thank yous and reminders (5 minutes): Finish up with any final instructions and remind participants about the rehearsal dinner, if you're having one.

The rehearsal usually lasts for about 30 to 45 minutes to an hour, and it's a good idea to give your wedding party plenty of advance notice so they can attend.

Is there a rehearsal dinner?

Wedding rehearsals are usually conducted the day before the wedding. They are especially useful for more formal and larger weddings, and weddings that include children participating in the ceremony. The rehearsal is a run-through of the ceremony, where the wedding officiant, venue manager, or wedding planner/coordinator will go over each aspect of the ceremony, from the processional to the recessional.

Now, is there a rehearsal dinner?

Yes, traditionally, there is a rehearsal dinner. This is a smaller celebration that follows the practice run of the wedding ceremony and is usually held on the eve of the wedding day. It is the final pre-wedding event before the couple gets married and is an opportunity for the couple to spend quality time with their loved ones and for both families to gather and kick off the wedding weekend. It is also a chance for relatives and friends to meet each other for the first time.

The rehearsal dinner is a more casual event, and while official invitations are not necessary, a personal invitation is a nice touch. The dinner usually lasts about two to three hours, and it is customary for the couple to make a short toast, as well as anyone who isn't giving a speech during the wedding reception. The couple may also present gifts to the wedding party during the dinner.

The rehearsal dinner is hosted and paid for by the groom's parents, but this tradition may vary depending on the couple's preferences and family dynamics. It is common to invite anyone who is participating in the wedding ceremony to the rehearsal dinner, including the wedding party, parents, and immediate family members.

So, to summarise, the rehearsal dinner is an important part of the wedding celebrations, providing an opportunity for the couple to connect with their loved ones and for both families to come together before the big day.

Frequently asked questions