S3E12: BONUS How to Run a Rehearsal Ceremony

Season #3 Episode #12

For the couple who is also running their own rehearsal ceremony- OR who needs to pass to a coordinator or friend who hasn't run before. 

Let's allow my 16 year old self with all her church wedding training enter the chat. And, pro tip, if you are getting married at a church - let the flower girls and ring bearers ring the church bell! It'll be the highlight of their day.

Have a listen and here's the cheat sheet:

  • Have everyone take a seat- give an introduction and a quick "safety talk"
  • Explain the order of the rehearsal: 

Order for Rehearsal 

  1. Place people for their on stage places: where they will be at the end of the processional (or walking in)
  2. Practice recessional and where they will go to be hidden from guests
  3. Place people for processional, walk through the processional
  4.  Practice ceremony high points- walking through any rituals 
  5.  Recessional and have everyone take a final seat
  6. Final announcements (if you need you can do a run through of the processional one more time and have people take seats but not usually necessary)

Things to determine before the Ceremony Rehearsal 

  • Do you want ushers to help guests be seated 
  • Bridesmaids and Groomsmen order 
  • Who gets a special walk down the isle (grandparents, parents, siblings?) 
  • Who is needed for walking VIP family down the isle?
  • Do you want flower girls and ring bearers?- where will they sit after 
  • Who, if anyone, is walking the Bride down the isle?

Typical Processional Order- (Typically takes 5-10 Minutes)

  • Officiant takes his or her place - nods at DJ- processional music begins
    • Groom and/or groomsmen can also be walked in with Officiant
  • Grandparents of the Bride walk down and are seated 
  • Grandparents of the Groom walk down and are seated 
  • Mother of the Bride is walked down and seated 
    • by her son or other family member or groomsmen)
  • Mother and Father of the Groom are walked down and seated 
    • Groom can escort mother if they like or husband or family member can
  • Groomsmen enter (unless they have already)
  • Groom enters (leads the groomsmen in, or greets them each if they are already in place)
  • Bridesmaids enter up the isle starting with the one who will stand furthest from bride 
    • Groomsmen and Bridesmaids can walk two by two as an alternative 
  • Flower Girls and Ring Bearers enter and are seated (either order is fine)

(Officiant asks guests to stand "All rise"- Music changes - Bride's entrance)

  • Father of Bride's hand off (who gives this woman to be married "we do," hugs bride, shakes Grooms hand or hugs Groom, allows Groom to take Bride's hand and lead her to her place, father steps around the dress and is seated

(Bride hands flowers to maid of honor, takes her Fiance's hands and is ready for ceremony)
(Maid of honor hands off flowers for a moment to be hands free to "fluff dress" as officiant begins the ceremony, returns to her place, takes back the flowers)

Ceremony begins.