Wedding Rehearsal: Final Walk-Through

A wedding rehearsal is a practice for the wedding ceremony, usually held the day before the wedding. It is a chance for the wedding party to run through the ceremony step-by-step, including the processional and recessional, readings, and any other aspects. The rehearsal ensures that everyone knows their key marks, such as when and where to walk, and where to stand. It is also an opportunity for both families to spend time together before the big day. The rehearsal is typically followed by a rehearsal dinner, a smaller celebration that includes the wedding party, their dates, and immediate family.

Walk-through of the ceremony

A wedding rehearsal is a chance to practice the wedding ceremony, usually taking place the night before the wedding. It is a walkthrough of the ceremony from start to finish, so that everyone knows what they are doing on the big day. This includes where to stand, when to walk, and what they are tasked with.

The wedding rehearsal is a quick and straightforward process, lasting no more than an hour. It is a chance to practice walking in and walking out, and to ensure everyone knows where to stand. It is not necessary to practice the entire ceremony word-for-word, but it is a good idea to read through the headings so that everyone knows the order of the ceremony.

The rehearsal usually begins by getting everyone into place where they will be standing during the ceremony. This includes the wedding party, parents, and attendants. The wedding party should be evenly spaced and standing at a slight angle in relation to the guests, with the attendants at each end a little more forward than the Maid of Honor and Best Man. Bridesmaids should hold their bouquets in front of them with both hands, and groomsmen should decide whether to clasp their hands in front or behind their bodies.

After this, the couple can practice the recessional, as if the ceremony has just ended and they are walking out. This begins with the kiss and/or presentation of the couple, and the exit in the proper order. The Bride will take her bouquet from the Maid of Honor and exit with the Groom, followed by the wedding party, flower girl, ring bearer, and then the parents and grandparents. Each couple should leave enough room between themselves and the couple in front of them, usually waiting until the couple in front is halfway back up the aisle.

Next, the processional is practised. The Officiant, Groom, Best Man, and Groomsmen enter first, either from the side of the ceremony site or up the aisle. Following them are the grandparents, the Groom's parents, and the Mother of the Bride. Finally, the Bridesmaids, Maid of Honor, and Flower Girl enter. The Bride and her escort should not enter until the entire wedding party has entered and is in place.

The last thing to practice is the hand-off. When the Bride and her escort reach the front of the ceremony, the escort should give the Bride a kiss and congratulate her. The escort then shakes the Groom's hand, the Bride hands her bouquet to the Maid of Honor, and the escort moves to their seat. The Bride and Groom should then be standing facing each other, holding hands in front of the Officiants.

The rehearsal should be repeated at least once more to ensure that everyone knows what to do on the wedding day.

Who should be in charge

So, who should be in charge of the wedding rehearsal?

Well, it's not usually the officiant. While some do offer this as part of their service, it's often unnecessary and sometimes even counterproductive for them to be in charge of the rehearsal. Instead, it's usually the couple's wedding planner or coordinator who takes the lead. This is a good idea, as it means the couple doesn't have to worry about looking bossy or demanding.

If you don't have a wedding planner, it's a good idea to ask a friend or family member to take charge. Pick someone who's happy to take control and who won't be phased by corralling a large group of people. It's a good idea to give them a copy of the ceremony draft, as well as any other relevant information, so they can get everyone where they need to be.

The rehearsal is usually a quick process, lasting around 20-60 minutes. It's a chance to walk through the ceremony from start to finish, so everyone knows where to stand, when to walk, and what they need to do. It's an important part of the wedding planning, so make sure you schedule it in advance and that everyone arrives on time.

Who walks with whom

A wedding rehearsal is a chance to prepare for the wedding ceremony. The wedding party will run through the ceremony step-by-step to know their key marks, like when and where to walk. It is also an opportunity for younger wedding party members to familiarise themselves with the venue and what they will be doing on the day.

The wedding rehearsal is a great opportunity to decide who walks with whom. The wedding party, parents, and officiant will be in attendance, and it is beneficial to have as many of the bridal party there as possible. If there are children involved in the ceremony, it is a good time to help them get comfortable with the space and know where their parents will be sitting.

The wedding rehearsal is also a good time to finalise who walks with whom. The wedding party will usually walk in pairs, and the rehearsal is a good opportunity to decide the order and who walks with whom. The wedding couple's parents and any other family members participating in the processional will also need to be considered.

The officiant will usually not attend the rehearsal, but if they do, they can use the time to review the ceremony's formalities with the couple. The wedding planner or coordinator will often be present to help run the rehearsal.

How the wedding party will enter

The wedding rehearsal is a walkthrough of the wedding ceremony, usually held the night before the wedding. It is a chance for the wedding party to practice their choreography (how people move) and blocking (where they stand or sit). Here is a suggested step-by-step guide for the wedding party to enter during the rehearsal:

• Start by lining up the wedding party as they would during the actual ceremony. This will be the opposite of the processional (entrance). The bride typically stands on the left, facing the altar, with the groom on the right. Bridesmaids and groomsmen stand on their respective sides, facing the guests. The parents sit directly behind their respective children.
• Begin with the recessional (exit). The couple exits first, followed by the Maid/Matron of Honor and Best Man. The remaining wedding party pairs up and follows, starting with the pairs closest to the middle. The bridesmaid and groomsman who are farthest out are the last of the wedding party to exit, which cues the parents to begin their exit. Traditionally, the parents of the bride exit first, followed by the parents of the groom, and then the rest of the guests.
• After the wedding party has exited during the recessional, they can regroup and line up for the processional (entrance). The Officiant, Groom, Best Man, and Groomsmen typically enter first, followed by grandparents, the parents of the groom, and the mother of the bride. Finally, the bridesmaids, Maid of Honor, and Flower Girl enter. The bride and her escort should be the last to enter and typically have a separate piece of music for the bride's processional.
• Practice the "handoff" moment. When the bride and her escort reach the front of the ceremony, the escort gives the bride a kiss and congratulates her. The escort then shakes the groom's hand, the bride hands her bouquet to the Maid of Honor, and the escort moves to their seat. The bride and groom now stand facing each other, holding hands, in front of the officiant.
• Repeat the processional and recessional one more time to ensure everyone understands their cues and entrances.

Remember, the rehearsal is a time to practice walking in and walking out, and to ensure everyone knows their key marks, such as when and where to walk. It is also an opportunity to go over any readings, speeches, or last-minute instructions.

Order of the processional

The wedding rehearsal is a practice for the ceremony. It is a chance for the wedding party to run through the ceremony step-by-step, to know their key marks, such as when and where to walk. It is also an opportunity for both sides of the family to spend some extra time together.

The order of the processional will vary depending on the type of wedding and the preferences of the couple. However, here is a general outline of how the processional might go:

• Officiant: The officiant is the first to walk towards the altar, signalling that the ceremony is about to begin.
• Grandparents of the couple: The bride's grandparents walk down the aisle first, followed by the groom's. They take their seats in the front row, with the bride's family on the right and the groom's on the left.
• Groomsmen: The groomsmen walk down the aisle individually or in pairs, starting with those who will stand farthest from the groom.
• Groom: The groom proceeds to walk down the aisle, either alone or accompanied by his parents.
• Bridesmaids: The bridesmaids walk down the aisle in pairs or individually, starting with those standing farthest from the bride.
• Maid/Matron of Honor: The bride's right-hand woman walks down the aisle alone.
• Ring Bearer and/or Flower Girl: The ring bearer and flower girl walk down the aisle together or separately, signalling that the bride is about to enter.
• Bride and Parents: Finally, the bride, escorted by her parents, makes her way down the aisle.

It is important to note that this is just a general outline, and the specific order may vary depending on cultural and religious traditions, as well as personal preferences. Ultimately, it is the couple's decision on how they want their processional to progress.

Frequently asked questions