Rehearsals

Running a Rehearsal

If possible, we always recommend a rehearsal before your big day! Just like anything in front of an audience, you don’t want your performance to be your first time doing it. It helps to get the nerves out to know how fast to walk, what to do with your hands, and how to grab the rings.

If the coordinator won’t be present at your rehearsal, here’s a handy guide about how to run one just like she would!

Don’t have access to the ceremony space? That’s okay too! It’s always helpful, even if you do it in a park

Image credit: ceremonyofficiants.com

Places, Please!

First up, placement at the ceremony. Start at your focal point, usually an arch or backdrop. We’ll do the order you walk in next.

  • The officiant stands at the center, just in front of the arch (but not in the arch)

  • The couple stands in front of them. Decide which side you each want. Usually the bride is on the left.

  • The wedding party stands a pace to the side. They stand at a slight angle to the audience, facing inward. If you have a large party, the people on the end curve outward so they can see the ceremony.

  • Make sure everyone is evenly placed. It helps to have a point of reference, such as lining up with the first chair, a line on the ground, or some other landmark.

  • Bridesmaids hold bouquets at belly button height. Groomsmen clasp their hands either in front, left hand over right hand, or in the back.

Ceremony Run

  • You don’t want to do the whole ceremony (that’s for the wedding day!) but you do want to make sure the order is set. Speak the headings, such as “intro, love story, vows, rings, kiss.” If there are any other rituals, make sure you know where the items will be, like candle lighting or sand ceremonies.

  • Decide who will speak their vows first.

  • If you need to grab anything (like the rings), do it towards the audience, don’t turn your back to anyone.

  • Make sure you know who has the rings, how they will be presented, and who will grab them first.

Walking Out (Recessional)

  • Start with the kiss/presentation of the couple (make sure the officiant ducks out of the way for the photos!)

  • The bride takes her bouquet and the couple walks out - no one else leaves the arch until the couple is completely out of the aisle.

  • The wedding party exits in pairs (even if they walked in separately). Give the pair in front of you a little space - about halfway down the aisle.

  • Parents don’t have to walk back down the aisle.

Walking In (Processional)

  • Do this part last!

  • Often the start of the ceremony is made clear by the officiant standing up in front, or you can have them be part of the processional.

  • Find a place where you will be hidden from the audience where you can line up.

  • Use a point of reference, such as the middle of the aisle, for when the next person should start walking.

  • Remember to take your time! It’s a slow stroll.

  • There are lots of options for the order. Here’s what we typically use:

    • Groom goes first with parents - show them to their seat, maybe hug or shake hands, then groom takes his place.

    • If grandparents are walking, they enter here.

    • If walking in pairs, the Best Man and Maid of Honor enter, followed by pairs of groomsmen and bridesmaids. If walking singly, all groomsmen go first, followed by all bridesmaids.

  • Ring bearer and flower girl (together or singly)

  • Once everyone is in place, the officiant says, “Please rise for the bride.” The music changes and the bride walks out with her escort, if she has one.

The Hand-Off

  • Once the bride and her escort make it to the front, they typically hug/kiss/congratulate her.

  • The escort typically shakes the groom’s hand or hugs him, then takes their seat.

  • There’s a moment of shuffling after the officiant invites everyone to be seated.

  • The bride uses this time to hand her bouquet to her Maid of Honor. The Maid of Honor should also fluff the wedding dress if it has a train so it looks good in photos.

  • The couple stands in front of the officiant. It’s nice if you hold hands!

Do It All Again!

Now everyone knows how to walk and stand, time to do a run through! This time you can play the music so it sounds just like the real thing.

There are many cultural and personal variations on a “standard” ceremony. Please edit this order to be what you need for a wedding!