How to Actually Run Your Wedding Rehearsal (Even Without a Wedding Planner)
“Wedding Rehearsal” sounds so official and intimidating
…but really, it’s just a fancy way of saying practice round.
You and your wedding party are running through the ceremony so that nobody is confused on the actual day.
That’s it.
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Now...
If you hired a planner
...they usually will handle this for you.
But if you’re DIY-ing your wedding, you'll have to do it yourself.
Don’t panic.
I'm going to show you how to💗...
1. First up - gather your people
Anyone who’s in your ceremony needs to be there.
That means:
You and your partner
Your officiant (or someone standing in)
The full wedding party (bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girl, ring bearer)
Wedding coordinator (if you hired one)
Parents/grandparents who are walking in
Anyone reading, singing, or holding a mic at some point
Also: If you’ve got ushers, readers, or people handling music .. invite them too.
Anyone who plays a part in your ceremony should be part of the rehearsal guest list.
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And whatever time your wedding ceremony is ...try to rehearse around that time.
So the vibe and feel can be the same.
2. Then Line up
Once you have gathered your people
...it's time to arrange yourselves.
I'm gonna give the traditional common way …you can look at it and it switch based on your preference:
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Your officiant (or whoever is standing in for him, if he can't make it) will be at the front.
Then you guys at the back will arrange yourself in this order
Bride's grandparents
Groom's grandparents
Parents of the groom
Mother of the bride
Groom
Bridesmaids and groosmens (either they walk separately or together in pairs).
Maid of honour and Best man.
Ring bearer.
Flower girl.
You and your dad (or any male figure in your life you respect)
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This is the traditional common order.
If you want, i created an infographic of it that you can save.
3. Practice the walk
Now cue your processional music. (...you can use your phone speaker).
And with the way you've arranged yourselves.
Start walking towards the officiant in that order
(except you and your dad).
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Also make sure to tell everyone to walk slowly.
4. Arrange where they'll stand once they’re up front.
Now once they've reached the front.
"What happens next"
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Traditionally the groomsmen will line up at the right side of the officiant.
While your girls line at the left.
Make sure they spread themselves out evenly, when they line up.
And show them what they should do with their hands
...so if the bridesmaids are holding bouquets? ...show them how they should hold it
Groomsmen? will their hands be in their pockets or clapsed - these little details ...matter
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Then your parents, grandparents and the kids once they’ve reached the front will sit down in front row.
Finally, your fiance will stand in the center, facing the "audience" waiting for you.
5. Your entrance.
Now it’s your turn.
You and your dad will wait for your song cue.
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Then you both start walking to front.
(If anybody needs to walk slowly - it is the both of you
…everybody needs to see you, savor you and admire you in that dress.
So get used to it now!)
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So yeah...
Posture straight, chin up (remember you'll be photographed), and your bouquet or whatever you're using in place of it, kept low (at the belly button level.)
When the both of you reach the front, your dad gives you a hug and maybe shakes your partner’s hand,
Then he sits down.
6. The "Fake" Ceremony.
Now everyone is in place.
So what next?
...Your fake ceremony.
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You don’t have to go through the whole thing word-for-word.
Just hit the main highlights so people know what’s happening:
Your officiant says a welcome.
You two face each other.
Rings get exchanged (just pretend).
You say “I do” (you don’t have to spill your real vows yet).
Then …you’re pronounced married.
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Also...
Anyone that is involved in any special moments like a reading or song ...they should also practice it now
7. The exit
Now you and your partner walk back down the aisle together.
Huge smiles, hand in hand.
Your recessional song playing in the background.
Then your wedding party follows you in the reverse order they came in.
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...And you’'re done💃.
8. Wrap it up and go eat.
That’s it.
Run through it once (twice if you need to), make sure everyone's good, and then go eat.
Most couples do a rehearsal dinner after - but it doesn’t have to be fancy.
Even if it’s just pizza in your backyard or fries and drinks at your favorite spot
..use it as a little
“we’re really doing this” moment with your people.
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And i almost forgot...
Even if you're running your rehearsal on your own.
On the day of your wedding - you need to have someone who will still coordinate and give you guys the cue to start walking.
Preferably a wedding coordinator or a friend who is not in the wedding party.
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Don't do it yourself
Let's wrap it up...
That's it...
Nothing fancy, nothing overcomplicated.
Just gather your people, run through the basics and make sure everyone knows where to go and what to do.
and your wedding rehearsal will be a blast.
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I'll see you in my next post.
Mwahhh
Byeee💕
Waitt - before you go...
(If your wedding is like next weekend or sometime this month?
What I'm about to say isn’t for you, babe.
Go rest.
You’ve done enough already💗.)
But if you’re still early in the planning - you know, juggling all the ideas, trying to make decisions without going a little mad
...and you’re doing this without a wedding planner?
This is for you.
So I made a tool
...called The Wedding Planning Bundle.
And i made it for specifically for brides planning their wedding on their own ...but still need a little guidance.
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If this is you and you wanna check it out.
...Other brides are loving it
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