The rehearsal is often the first time the whole wedding party gets together before the wedding ceremony and perhaps the first time some of the bridal party may have met each other.



Often my couples will request not to have a rehearsal as they have so much on their To Do list that fitting in a rehearsal can be quite the chore. So the big question - is a wedding rehearsal really necessary?

In my experience, I believe it is. Although you may have attended many weddings and have observed how it’s done, you haven’t actually walked that walk. Many brides are as cool as a cucumber until they hit the top of the ‘aisle’, then the adrenaline and nerves kick in and without a rehearsal they may get a little lost and not enjoy every moment as much as they should.

Forty-five minutes, on location, should be ample time to cover off such things as the logistics of your ceremony with the majority of the wedding party. It is important for any little people involved in the ceremony so that they know where to walk and who to walk to, a great chance for them to become familiar with your celebrant; choreograph where to stand; how to move into and out of the ceremony area; who will have the rings and how will they be handed over at that moment of the ceremony; where do the parents sit so they have the best view of their son or daughter’s face throughout the ceremony; where the signing table will be located; where will the guests reader stand. Also this is the ideal opportunity to complete the last of the legal documents before the ceremony.

A rehearsal held around the same time as the actual ceremony gives the opportunity to check where the sun will be at that time of day so as not to be shining into either the wedding party’s or guests eyes.

Those of my couples that pushed back on a rehearsal, always thanked me for guiding them in the direction of a rehearsal because it did help them to know what to expect, assisted in reducing their nerves and in turn contributed to a relaxed, seamless and spectacular ceremony - just as they had planned.

Photo - Midwest Wedding Photography