Happy Thursday. I apologize for not posting yesterday as promised. You would be surprised how flooded streets really back up traffic. There is a bit of sun today, but I don’t think it is going to last.
Anyway, rehearsals can be very confusing, even for professionals. It isn’t easy organizing a chatty group of bridesmaids and groomsmen. Below are my top ten tips to making your rehearsal run quickly and smoothly.
- Greet the rehearsal attendees and explain to them how the rehearsal is going to proceed. (details below)
- Line everyone up in the positions where they will be standing at the altar.
- Ask the officiant to run through the ceremony. He probably won’t do the entire ceremony, but if you will be moving or if you have readers he will practice walking through those things.
- After the officiant introduces you as almost husband and wife, practice the recessional and proceed to the back of the room.
- Line up the wedding party starting with the grandmothers and/or mothers with their escorts. Practice having them walk down the aisle to their seats (or up to the unity candle if you will be lighting one).
- The guys get into position next. If they are walking down the aisle, start with the officiant followed by the groom, best man and groomsmen. I have them walk down the aisle, single file with a bit of space in between each of them (They usually don’t like walking down the aisle one at a time like the bridesmaids). If you are in a location where there is a side entrance, they can proceed in the same order from the side and get into position.
- The bridesmaids go next. Have them line up in reverse order (the bridesmaid furthest away from you goes first). Each one should walk down the aisle individually. If you have a very long aisle, you may send each bridesmaid down when the one in front of her is halfway down the aisle. If the aisle is short, let each woman process all the way down the aisle to her spot at the altar.
- Ring bearers and flower girls are next. If they are very young, you may want to send them down the aisle together. If they want to walk on their own, send the ring bearer first followed by the flower girl.
- Finally, you and your escort will process down the aisle. Don’t forget to take your time and smile, even at the rehearsal. This is your moment!
- If the officiant prefers, do another ceremony run through then practice recessing again. If necessary, practice the processional one more time.
A few additional notes
I don’t usually review ushering with the groomsmen and ushers at the rehearsal. I find that they forget what I tell them by the time the wedding day rolls around. Not everyone agrees with me on that point. I gather them together fifteen minutes prior to the scheduled guest arrival time and give them directions.
If you have a flower girl and ring bearer who are young, keep a sense of humor about them making it down the aisle. I have had some who perform beautifully and others who get very shy and run away. If you expect perfection, do not have children in the wedding party.
If you have any questions or comments about the above post or any other wedding-related questions, please leave a post for me here or email me at susan.southerland@pwg.com.
Your partner in perfect planning,
Susan
