How to Conduct a Wedding Rehearsal

Video Transcript

"When conducting a wedding rehearsal, there's a few things to keep in mind, and the first one is a lot of these people are meeting for the first time. So make sure you do introductions of everyone when you first get there. Make sure that all the groomsmen and all the bridesmaids know who each other are and who's walking down the aisle with each other so they feel comfortable with each other instead of feeling like they're with a stiff board on their arm that they don't know. The other thing is, have your programs ready because once you have your programs ready, people really know the order of the way the ceremony will be going and they'll be aware, when they're up there, what to expect. The other thing is get people's attention. A lot of times, you'll be using a wedding coordinator at this time or someone at the church that will be assisting you in getting the people down the aisle. The other thing is bring some music -- the music that you are playing. Even if you're using live musicians the next day, possibly get a recording of the songs you're playing so you know the timing of when people should enter. The other thing is get people in order. The first person to enter should be parents, grandparents, and they should be seated by the ushers. The ushers should then take their seats, and then another song should start, which would be the first of the processional. This is when the groom and the best man and all the groomsmen should enter from another side to the front, and this is when your minister will also enter. In a Catholic religion, though, the minister will actually do his own processional down the aisle. Just make sure whatever religion you're using, you know what the proper etiquette is for making your way down the aisle. Then, get everybody in place in a line who's walking down the aisle. First, it's usually your bridesmaids. Put them in order of height is also a nice thing to do. Then you'll have your maid or matron of honor, followed by junior bridesmaids or flower girl and your ring bearer. The music will yet change again, and then the bride and her escort will make their way down the aisle. Make sure that everybody knows where they're supposed to be standing because sometimes the bride is not given away until middle of ceremony, so make sure the father or the escort knows to stay standing with the bride in the middle of the bride and the groom. Also remember that the officiant is the one in charge of the ceremony. Make sure you consult with them to make sure how long the ceremony should be and where people should be placed where they feel more comfortable. And put people in a line facing in towards the bride and the groom, and make sure there's enough room as well. On the way out in the recessional, get everybody paired up with best man and maid or matron of honor to exit after the bride and groom so the bride and groom go first, then everybody gets paired up from then with the flower girl and the ring bearer enter...exiting after that. Just make sure everybody knows who each other is and they feel comfortable so the wedding day, nobody has any questions."