Plan Your Wedding Rehearsal &
Wedding Rehearsal Dinner
The wedding rehearsal is usually run by whoever is officiating at the ceremony. The officiant will walk you through the ceremony, give you a few opportunities to practice, and will tweak the ceremony based on what your expectations are. Depending on how complicated your ceremony is, you should be done with the wedding rehearsal in an hour if everybody shows up on time. If the ceremony venue is not available to rehearse in, draw a simple map of the location. Have copies for everybody in the wedding party. Highlight each copy for each individual as to where they will be starting, walking, standing and exiting. Try your best to recreate the wedding ceremony location. The wedding rehearsal is all about timing and everybody learning where they are going to be standing. If both the wedding officiant and location are not available, get written directions from your officiant and use them as your guideline.  Who should attend the rehearsal?Include the officiant, bridal party, bride’s and groom’s parents and any special friends or family who will “perform” at the ceremony. Include anyone who will be doing readings, reciting poetry, singing or playing instruments. If the parents of the flower girl and ring bearer are not in the bridal party, they need to be invited as well. If you don’t have a wedding coordinator, make sure the friend you’ve asked to be your mistress of ceremonies on your wedding day is there. Who should attend the rehearsal dinner?Send your invitations to the rehearsal dinner out after the wedding invitations and at least two weeks before the dinner. The typical guest list for the rehearsal dinner is: - The wedding party
- The bride’s & groom’s parents
- The officiant
- Mistress of ceremonies and anyone doing readings, reciting poetry, singing or playing an instrument during the ceremony
- Out-of-town guests
- Friends or family who contributed to your wedding in a significant way (making the cake, helping with decorations…)
If the rehearsal dinner is held at a restaurant and not a personal home, you can work with the chef or the manager and offer a special menu with limited choices, or allow guests to order off the regular menu. Be sure to book the restaurant or caterer several months out, get a final head count, and confirm with the restaurant again the day before the rehearsal dinner.If the groom’s family is paying for the rehearsal dinner, then offer to pay for the out-of-town guests you’ve invited, as well as any additional friends or contributors. More Articles:
Wedding Ceremony Decorations Tips & Ideas
Wedding Ceremony Outline
Find and Hire Your Wedding Officiant
Wedding Ceremony Ideas & Tips for Wedding Ceremony Planning
10 Unique Wedding Ceremony Ideas
Unique Wedding Readings
Biblical Wedding ReadingsLearn the Marriage License Requirements for Your State
Sample Wedding Itinerary: Make Your Wedding Day Timeline
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