How to conduct a wedding rehearsal

Getting ready to walk down the aisle? You may want to practice before the big day!

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Paper
• Pens
• Bridal Party
• Bride and Groom
• Officiant
• Flower Girl/Boy
• Venue Access

1. Set the logistics.
   
   Make sure you have the date of the rehearsal set and access to the facility. Rehearsals are usually the day before the wedding and are followed by a rehearsal dinner. Invite the bridal party, officiant, flower girl/flower boy and anyone else special to you. The goal is to get people comfortable so things run smoothly. You may be good in front of a crowd, but others are not so it's a great idea to have a run through.
   
   Just make sure anyone with a role in the wedding is at the rehearsal. (Have a speaker reading at your wedding? They should probably come, too!)
2. Map it out.
   
   You may want to have a diagram to show bridal party participants and others involved how they will walk in and stand during the ceremony. If there are any other activities during the ceremony (candle lighting, for example) you should at least know where that will take place if you don't bring the props with you.
3. Explain the process.
   Now that your guests are there, you (or your wedding planner) can step in and direct the activity. You may want the officiant or someone else to lead you if it is a more traditional wedding. Make sure people physically walk in and stand in their designated spot to ensure that things will go smoothly on your big day!

Tips & Warnings

• Have a rehearsal dinner afterwards to welcome family and out-of-town guests.
• Make sure you designate who will be holding rings before and during the ceremony until they are exchanged.
• Brides handing off flowers during the ring ceremony should know who to give the flowers to -- usually the maid of honor.
• After the first run through, do it again!