About Rehearsals

I strongly recommend having a rehearsal because it allows everyone to understand what is going to happen.

Even though we “rehearse,” weddings are not performances. They are real life, imbued with emotion and, often, a bit of chaos. People cry, they flub their lines, the rings do get dropped occasionally, children wander, veils fall off, babies crawl across the front – it’s all ok. This is the stuff memories are made of!

I am very directive (read: bossy) at rehearsals, and we stay with the process until everyone is comfortable. It is my job to help everyone to relax and be present for the ceremony, and one of the ways I do that is by being responsible for cueing or prompting the participants. (Nothing takes the fun out of a big day like worrying about when you are supposed to do what.)

All participants, including whoever might sing and/or read during the service, the parents of the bride and groom, and especially any young children, should be present at this rehearsal. Rehearsals are usually scheduled a day or two before the wedding, in the same location (and ideally, with the same set-up) as the wedding.