Typically, I don't attend many rehearsals because I provide each couple with a detailed Ceremony Cue Sheet.

 

This document contains diagrams for processional/recessional orders that we decided upon during our ceremony planning meeting. It also includes a simple outline of the ceremony along with any important action notes like details on unique rituals.

 

Once reviewed with the couple the week before the ceremony, I send it to the rest of the wedding vendors; planner, venue coordinator, photographer, videographer, DJs and/or musicians.

 

This serves as a guide to run the rehearsal and helps all the other wedding professionals know what to expect on the day of the ceremony.

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Even with this preparation, sometimes a couple just feels more at ease if I attend the rehearsal, which I am happy to do pending availability. Additional fee and mileage will apply.

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Here are some rehearsal/pre-wedding tips:

 

• Pre-Ceremony: Guests will start arriving about 30 minutes before the ceremony so if someone from the wedding party has been appointed to greet, escort guests to seats, hand out programs, etc, they need to be present by then. 

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• Boutonnières are to be placed on the your left side lapel of the jacket. The perfect way to get a boutonnière in is to remember this phrase: Fabric, plant, fabric; Push pin in fabric. Start from the back of the lapel so the pin doesn’t show in the front or doesn’t stab people if you hug someone. Great You Tube video here: https://youtu.be/glWpt1qyiK8

 

• Processional: Wedding party members process in slowly to leave good space between each person.
  The wedding party should be about an arm’s length away from the couple, arranged at a slight slant and possibly ordered by height for the best visual appeal.

 

• Decide if each side of the wedding party is going to walk down the aisle solo, or in pairs, and if they will be holding hands/arms, or walking side by side without touching. Men may offer their arms to women to escort if they both feel comfortable with that.

 

• Flower / Ring Bearers: They often process in right before the bride/partner but put them wherever you like based on age and comfort. For young children, if their parent isn’t in the wedding party, have them seated on the aisle so if the child veers off track or gets frozen, the parent can pop out easily to assist. 

 

• Bouquets: If either partners is holding a bouquet, they can hand it off to the officiant for a moment while the Person of Honor (or other attendant) fixes a dress or train, if need be. At the end of the ceremony, the Person of Honor should remember to hand the wedding bouquet back, and adjust the train, if necessary, before the newlyweds process down the aisle. 

 

• Readers: Practice out loud a few times before the big day. Speak slowly and loudly. 

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• Personal Vows and Toasts: Please consider writing vows or speeches in a small book, on cards, or on a small sheet of paper. Avoid the large sheet of 8.5 x 11 paper that’s been folded multiple times. DO NOT read vows or toasts from your cell phone.

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• Recessional: When you process out at the end, the wedding party should not begin processing down until the couple clears the last row of guests. The object here is for the photographer to get a clean shot of couple processing out. The photographer may ask the couple to pause mid aisle to kiss again. The Officiant can direct this. You can decide if you want the Officiant to step to the side for the first kiss.

 

• General Etiquette:
  No drinking alcohol in excess before the ceremony.
  No gum chewing during the ceremony.
  Cell phones should be stored in the wedding suite or turned off during the ceremony.