You Don't Need Me At Your Rehearsal!
There is no right or wrong way to do a wedding, and it isn't my place to suggest what you should or shouldn't do. Your traditions, your dreams and hopes are yours and you should plan your wedding accordingly.
The purpose of a rehearsal is to practice how the bridal party will get to the front.
I can not stress enough that this is your day, not mine. However you want to walk, run, skip, be dragged, be rolled on a dolly etc to get there is entirely up to you. (and yes I've seen all of those on the list)
Most importantly, you want the moment to be as special as the moment you were engaged. (I'm guessing you didn't have a rehearsal for that)
You want your ceremony to be filled with the spontaneity of your wedding day. You want your wedding vows and promises to be heard the first time by your partner when you say them. Rehearsing them takes away from that moment.
When you do your rehearsal, you can place a pylon where I would stand if it helps.
Essentially here are the pieces you need to plan.
If you want to do some kind of special ceremony such as a wine box, sand, hand binding, releasing of doves/butterflies (seen this done twice, both times it was a disaster - I'd recommend not doing this) etc. Just let me know in your email ahead of time and I can facilitate it.
My only piece of advice is to place the bride on my left. This puts her ring hand closest to the guests and allows guests and the photographer a great shot of putting the ring on the bride's finger.
See two sample 'Wedding runs' here
On the day of your wedding...
I will arrive about 20-30 minutes before your ceremony. I will meet with each of you , separately if you choose not to see each other before hand, to review the following:
In my nearly 1000 weddings I have only attended 1 rehearsal, and that was because they were close friends and it was more social than it was rehearsal. Even then I didn't give them advice on how to walk down the aisle.
The purpose of a rehearsal is to practice how the bridal party will get to the front.
I can not stress enough that this is your day, not mine. However you want to walk, run, skip, be dragged, be rolled on a dolly etc to get there is entirely up to you. (and yes I've seen all of those on the list)
Most importantly, you want the moment to be as special as the moment you were engaged. (I'm guessing you didn't have a rehearsal for that)
You want your ceremony to be filled with the spontaneity of your wedding day. You want your wedding vows and promises to be heard the first time by your partner when you say them. Rehearsing them takes away from that moment.
When you do your rehearsal, you can place a pylon where I would stand if it helps.
Essentially here are the pieces you need to plan.
- Will the groom and the groomsmen be walking down the aisle
- what is your music plan ( attendants, processional, recessional )
- Do you have music for the signing? ( this happens after the rings and before the legal pronouncement)
- Have you asked one of your guests to be the first person to stand, if that is a tradition you want, when you start your walk down the aisle
- Will you be doing secular personal promises ( this is something I will ask you when we book your date)
- Will you be adding any kind of special ceremonies ( see the paragraph below)
If you want to do some kind of special ceremony such as a wine box, sand, hand binding, releasing of doves/butterflies (seen this done twice, both times it was a disaster - I'd recommend not doing this) etc. Just let me know in your email ahead of time and I can facilitate it.
My only piece of advice is to place the bride on my left. This puts her ring hand closest to the guests and allows guests and the photographer a great shot of putting the ring on the bride's finger.
See two sample 'Wedding runs' here
On the day of your wedding...
I will arrive about 20-30 minutes before your ceremony. I will meet with each of you , separately if you choose not to see each other before hand, to review the following:
- If you have any special add-i.e personal vows or ceremonies.
- To review the legal 'repeat after me' parts of the ceremony.
- To briefly consult your photographer and music master.
In my nearly 1000 weddings I have only attended 1 rehearsal, and that was because they were close friends and it was more social than it was rehearsal. Even then I didn't give them advice on how to walk down the aisle.