What you should know about wedding rehearsals

There is quite the process involved in bringing a show to the stage on Broadway in New York or The West End in London Lines and songs are tweaked actors may be swapped out and sets may be redesigned Often these shows are tested out in regional theaters before they are finalized for the true opening night Practice makes perfect is an adage that continues to be relevant in the present day Those involved in theater recognize the value of rehearsals and it also should be an major component for couples planning their weddings Weddings involve a lot of moving parts and that includes people The Knot Real Weddings Survey indicates the average wedding party contains eight people Add in four parents individuals doing ceremony readings people participating in unity rituals ushers and others of recognition and there may be a dozen or more people responsible for knowing their places and understanding their responsibilities The wedding rehearsal helps to corral these individuals and tame nerves by showing everyone what is expected of them on the big day Who is in charge of the wedding rehearsal Various people may take the lead at the rehearsal In specific instances it is the officiant who will guide everyone More often it is the responsibility of the coordinator at the ceremony site or a wedding planner who handles the cues so that everyone enters and exits properly Various couples will also ask an organized friend or family member to assume the role of rehearsal leader What do you rehearse According to Ceremony Officiants Rev Laura Cannon and Associates the wedding rehearsal does not run through the entire ceremony only the key spots A rehearsal typically focuses on the walking in and walking out and ensuring participants know where to stand and what to do A generalized outline of the wedding ceremony timeline will be reviewed helping participants understand when they will be called upon to fulfill their responsibilities Running through the processional recessional and other key moments in the ceremony two to three times is usually enough practice Who attends the rehearsal Only a select number of people need to attend the rehearsal This includes the couple their parents the wedding party anyone serving a special role in the ceremony such as leading a prayer and the wedding coordinator or the rehearsal leader How long does the rehearsal last Typically a rehearsal should not take longer than minutes to one hour It s generally held the evening before the actual wedding when everyone should be in town for the festivities What happens after the rehearsal It s traditional to attend a rehearsal dinner directly after the rehearsal itself This intimate meal gives the key players in the wedding ceremony an opportunity to chat and mingle before the big day It s also a chance for the couple to offer gifts to the wedding party parents and others in appreciation of their participation in the wedding Sometimes speeches are given but the rehearsal dinner tends to be a low-key low-pressure opportunity to spend time with special people What is the dress code The dress code for the rehearsal and the dinner is totally up to the couple Plenty of opt for business casual but the restaurant chosen for the dinner may guide couples on what everyone should wear Additional tips Couples may instruct people to bring along the shoes they will be wearing at the wedding to get a feel for them walking into the ceremony site While it is traditionally the groom s parents obligation to reserve and pay for the rehearsal dinner couples who do not want to place all of that responsibility on them can discuss contributing A wedding rehearsal and rehearsal dinner brings together the key participants in the wedding ceremony prior to the main event Weddings involve a lot of moving parts and that includes people Photo Metro Creative Services