How to Direct a Wedding Rehearsal + Ceremony Diagram

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How to Direct a Wedding

Rehearsal + Ceremony

Diagram

BEFORE YOU

DIVE IN:

The wedding ceremony is the most important part of the

wedding. First and foremost, allow the officiant to take

charge of the rehearsal unless that person tells you that you

are in charge. You never want to step on an officiant’s toes,

so always remember they are in charge (especially in

churches).

It's very important to have a rehearsal for

every single wedding...even small weddings

because practice makes perfect. You want to

ensure everyone involved is as comfortable

with their role as possible.

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@Southern Productions, LLCHow to Direct a Wedding Rehearsal + Ceremony Diagram

How to Direct a Wedding Rehearsal + Ceremony Diagram

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@Southern Productions, LLC

Always arrive at least 30 minutes before the rehearsal begins, or as early as the musicians

need to arrive.

If there will be a scripture reader they will need to arrive at rehearsal early to practice their

reading before the actual rehearsal begins.

If there will be a unity candle service make sure the lighter and the unity candle are set up

before rehearsal so participants can practice their role.

If there will be any solo’s or duet’s the vocalists will need to arrive early to practice before

the rehearsal begins.

Have the order of ceremony planned out before the rehearsal day and know who is

escorting who and where the family members will be sitting. Check out another freebie

that will aid you in planning the order of ceremony here.

Instruct the flower girl on her duty - how to toss the petals or how to hold her nosegay,

basket of flowers, etc.

Get all vendor payments that are to be paid on the wedding day from the bride or her

parents at rehearsal so you are not having to ask them for payments on the wedding day.

Introduce the ushers to the people they will be escorting.

Allow a minimum of one full hour for rehearsal. If everyone arrives on time a full hour

should be plenty of time for the rehearsal.

It's important to start the rehearsal on time. If some of the wedding party members are

late use the time to rehearse small units of the rehearsal such as: showing the unity candle

procedure, showing the grandparents and parents how to enter, where they will sit at and

introducing them to their escort; rehearse the children in their roles, even if you need to

have their parents walk along with them. Show the soloist where to be seated, etc.

It's always a great idea for young children to take a seat with a parent or family member

after walking down the aisle rather than standing up during the ceremony.

TIPS

How to Direct a Wedding Rehearsal + Ceremony Diagram

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@Southern Productions, LLC

Step 1

Upon arrival for the rehearsal have the wedding party members sit close to the altar,

where the director/planner can welcome them and the officiant may say a prayer.

Step 2

Before doing the recessional or processional, place the entire wedding party in their

spots at the altar. The bridesmaids will stand on the left side and the groomsmen will

stand on the right side. To ensure everyone will remember where to stand on the

wedding day place masking tape or a sticker with their name on the floor.

Step 3

Make sure the bride is pleased with where everyone is standing and make adjustments

as needed.

Step 4

Instruct the wedding party how to stand. Make sure all groomsmen are standing the

same way. With left hand over right or vice versa. Instruct the bridesmaids how to hold

their bouquets and how to pivot when the couple is in place for the ceremony.

Step 5

Place parents and grandparents in their appropriate reserved seat and introduce them

to their usher.

Step 6

Next, the couple or the groom and the proxy bride will be in place ready for

instructions by the officiant (if the officiant is attending the rehearsal).

Step 7

The wedding party will practice the recessional. This includes parents and

grandparents as well.

THE REHEARSAL

How to Direct a Wedding Rehearsal + Ceremony Diagram

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@Southern Productions, LLC

Step 8

Then the entire wedding party will repeat the whole ceremony from the beginning.

Starting with the seating of the grandparents, parents, procession of the officiant,

groom and best man; the wedding party/bridesmaids and groomsmen followed by the

ring bearer and flower girl. As one bridesmaid or bridesmaids/groomsman walks down

the aisle, the next one waits until the previous one is about half-way or two-thirds of the

way down before beginning.

Step 9

Ushers will close the doors; upon cues, to the musicians, they will open the doors for

the bride and her escort to proceed.

Step 10

Then have everyone practice the recessional again. It’s best to practice the

processional and recessional a couple of times to ensure everyone in the wedding

party is comfortable.

Step 11

After you are done practicing pass out the wedding day schedules and go over what

time everyone needs to arrive the following day and the location. Also, go over any of

the rules of the church or venue and any of your personal rules with the wedding party

(example: no gum during the ceremony).

How to Direct a Wedding Rehearsal + Ceremony Diagram

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@Southern Productions, LLC