So
Your Thinking Of Not having a Wedding Rehearsal?
So you think that you don’t need a Wedding Rehearsal? Really?
You have spent thousands on your big day but you want to
save costs by not having a rehearsal? That’s a bit like buying a car and not
driving it! So
what is the importance of a Rehearsal? Will it make a difference to the wedding? Can’t
I just practice walking with the bridesmaids at home? A good
rehearsal consists of many aspects and only 1 part is the actual
walking down the aisle. On average I would say 98% of couples have a rehearsal.
And with good reason. When planning for a rehearsal – ask
everyone involved who is taking a part in the ceremony.
They can then practice their part so confidence shows through. Yes! there is a huge difference between
weddings where everyone feels confident and relaxed because they have the
knowledge of what’s expected.
Why spend all that money on a wedding to have things go wrong when only
an hour rehearsal can sort all or most of these problems out? Where to stand- great spot, but that
time of year is the sun in your eyes and the party is all squinting? What about
daylight saving, have you allowed for the time change? What side is the groom
standing on? (There is no wrong side.)
Vows (I
will hand them to you but is the print too small for anyone with eye
problems?). Who is the bride giving her
bouquet to and when? (too early, few photos in the ceremony with the flowers.)
Ring
Ceremony – “Is it a repeat after me?” Who has the rings? How are
they given, in a box? (Small details make a big difference, example;- I always
says take the rings out of the box and let the ring bearer take the box back
with him, because usually the couple have in their hands already flowers,
microphone, vows on a card, you don’t need a box to worry about too).
Speaking
into the microphone- (microphone are notorious for only picking
up your voice in only certain positions)
Bridal
Party – Who is walking first? Practised in those new shoes or
are we stumbling ? The flowergirls and pageboys don’t want to walk. Who looks
after any children that may decide they don’t want to be a part of the
ceremony. A smooth transition to a
friendly face makes all the difference for children.
How
is everyone standing? Have they been coached to stand correctly and how to line
themselves up to give a polished look for the photos. Seating
-Guests where do you want them seated. Sometimes there is allocated seating
only.
The signing table- placement of
the table and chairs. Music – correct selection for;-
1. Walking
down the aisle. Is the song long enough? How should I walk? Who is letting the
Celebrant know you have arrived and are ready to start the music? 2.
Signing the docs. 3. Walking Out - Is the wedding party
doing a formal walk out or dispersing into the crowd?
4. Playlist – Is there one, for before and after the ceremony?
5. Ipod- Who is running the
music at the ceremony? Have they got a running order to match the music? They
should be at a rehearsal.
Ceremonies that include things like - Sand
Ceremony, Candlelighting Ceremony – amazing what can go wrong
there if you haven’t practiced.
Plan B – When marrying outside,
mainly because of rain but sometimes excessive heat or other reasons, the
couple need to move the ceremony inside or to another location. We usually
practise this area too.
Saying –“It won’t
rain on my wedding day!” Ask us how many times we have heard that
before and it’s ended up a wet soggy day.
Ok
not convinced? – Here are some things that have happened at
weddings with no rehearsal? Whether
it be speaking into the microphone, or practising a reading. (I’m amazed at the
amount of brides/grooms and guest speakers that haven’t read through or
practiced their vows/ring ceremonies and readings and of course stumble over
words and paragraphs!) or practise walking down the aisle with their beautiful
daughter. Groom
is standing beside me and suddenly thinks he’s on the wrong side and is
whispering to me –“where do I stand? He moves up so close to me and the wall
that I’m pushed up to a table and gently pushing him back and trying to direct
him as the bride is walking down the aisle. Someone is given the music on ipod and
they announce to me 2 mins before the ceremony that they have never used an
ipod before!
There is a table supplied for signing at the
venue but the staff have not been informed and as soon as the ceremony started
they took the table away?!!
Someone throws a microphone in front to of us at the last
minute and it’s on a stand and we can’t get it off. I usually use my own so I
have no problem but was told they would supply one. We looked like a trio in a
band. The
person who is doing the reading has been given the verse by the couple but he
has never seen it before and stumbles over every word.
I always give the
reader a copy of the reading at a rehearsal to take home and practice.
Sometimes we have had to change words in a reading because the person reading
can’t pronounce them.( That’s ok, but if a rehearsal had been completed we
could have changed any wording and save them the embarrassment of struggling in
front of a crowd).
A friend is running the ipod music at the
wedding ( lots of experience with gadgets, full of confidence – works at a Hifi
store but messes up the music completely! He said he didn’t need a rehearsal!!
Remember I said 98% of couples have a rehearsal so then
that equates to nearly every wedding that doesn’t have a rehearsal has one or
more problems like these!
Yes it is more work for us but as a professional Marriage
Celebrant we want to see happy relaxed wedding parties and we want you to have
the most perfect day !
Ok
still no rehearsal? – Good Luck!!
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