Your Rehearsal

On this week’s episode of 52 'Til I Do, we’re breaking down exactly what happens at your wedding rehearsal: who needs to be there, how long it should take, what gets practiced, and the conversations to have before you show up. From lining up your wedding party to smoothing out ceremony flow, we’re sharing the same practical tips we give every Marryment couple so you walk into rehearsal feeling prepared and supported. 

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When Should You Have Your Rehearsal?

We recommend scheduling your rehearsal 1–2 days before your wedding, with the evening before being the ideal option whenever possible. The closer your rehearsal is to your ceremony, the fresher everything will be in everyone's mind. Keep in mind that your venue may have limited availability, so be sure to coordinate with them well in advance.

Where Should You Have It?

The most preferred place to hold your rehearsal is the actual ceremony location, since everyone can become familiar with the space they'll be using on your wedding day. However, if that's not possible, don't worry! A rehearsal can be held almost anywhere, including:

• A hotel
• A park
• Someone's home
• A parking lot
• The location of your rehearsal dinner

The goal is simply to practice the ceremony and make sure everyone understands their role, not to perfectly recreate your wedding day. So just be sure to have a space that fits everyone. 

Who Should Attend?

Your rehearsal should include everyone who has a role in the wedding ceremony, such as:

• Your officiant
• Your wedding coordinator
• Your venue or church coordinator
• Everyone in the processional (bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girls, ring bearers, etc.)
• Parents or VIPs participating in the ceremony
• Anyone giving a reading or participating in another special moment

Communication Is Key! 

Not every wedding guest needs to attend the rehearsal, and it's important to communicate exactly who is invited.

Be sure everyone knows:

• Who is expected to attend
• Whether significant others or plus-ones are invited
• The rehearsal location and start time
• Whether transportation will be provided
• If food or drinks will be served before or after the rehearsal

Clear communication helps avoid confusion and keeps the weekend running smoothly.

Pro Tip: If you're rehearsing at your wedding venue, consider bringing any décor items, programs, signage, or other supplies that can be left there overnight (with your venue's permission). This can save you valuable time on your wedding day and eliminate an extra trip! 

What Preparations Are Required Before the Rehearsal?

By the time you arrive at your rehearsal, the major details of your ceremony should already be planned out. The rehearsal is not the time to make all of your big decisions — it is the time to practice and make sure everyone understands the plan.

Before your rehearsal, you should have finalized:

• The order of your processional
• Where everyone will stand during the ceremony
• The order of events during the ceremony
• Any readings, traditions, or special moments
• The order of your recessional

Your coordinator and officiant should already have communicated about these details so everyone is on the same page before rehearsal begins.

Keep Your Venue’s Guidelines in Mind

If you are getting married in a church or religious institution, remember that there may be specific traditions, rules, or guidelines you need to follow.

Some religious venues may have requirements regarding:

• The order of the ceremony
• Where people stand
• Music choices
• Who can participate
• Certain traditions or customs

Your coordinator and officiant can help you understand what flexibility you have while still respecting the space and traditions of your venue.

The Actual Walkthrough

The rehearsal itself usually only takes about 30–45 minutes, but once you factor in greetings, introductions, and goodbyes, we recommend setting aside about an hour of time.

The Processional

The processional portion of your rehearsal is all about a walkthrough, practice, and review.

Here’s what that looks like:

1. Talk through it — Your coordinator will explain what is going to happen, where everyone will stand, and what their role is during the ceremony.
2. Walk through it — Everyone will physically practice the processional, where they enter, how they walk, and where they will go once they reach the front.
3. Review it — After the practice run, everyone will have a chance to ask questions, make adjustments, and clarify anything they are unsure about.

At this point in the planning process, you should already have your ceremony structure and processional planned out. Your coordinator will have all of that information and will have communicated with your officiant to make sure everyone is on the same page.

Now, the rehearsal is simply about practicing and making sure everyone feels comfortable with the plan!

Tips to Keep in Mind While Walking

As you practice your processional, here are a few things to remember:

• Don’t overthink your walk. When you walk down the aisle, go at your natural, comfortable pace. Don’t worry about matching your steps perfectly to the music or making your walk feel overly rehearsed. The goal is to feel confident and comfortable.
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• Keep a pleasant expression. Remember, this moment will be photographed! Try to avoid looking stressed or overly focused. Relax, smile, and enjoy the moment.
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• Hold your bouquet lower than you think. If you’re carrying a bouquet, we recommend holding it around your belly button or slightly lower, with the flowers gently tilted outward. This helps keep your face and dress visible in photos.
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• Leave unnecessary items behind. Avoid carrying your phone, wallet, keys, or anything else you don’t need during the ceremony. Not only can these items look bulky in photos, but your phone going off during the ceremony is the last thing anyone wants!‍
  

The Ceremony

After practicing the processional, your coordinator will walk everyone through the order of the ceremony itself. This includes where everyone will stand, any movements that need to happen during the ceremony, and any special moments that need to be coordinated.

This is also a great time to make sure your officiant, wedding party, readers, and anyone else involved understand exactly what is expected of them. However, keep in mind that this does not need to be a copy-and-paste moment of what your wedding day will be like. The goal is to simply make sure that everyone's got the main bullet points and knows what comes next. 

The Recessional

Finally, you’ll practice the recessional — the moment when you officially walk back down the aisle as a married couple! Your coordinator will explain the order of exit, timing, and where everyone should go afterward. Keep in mind that the recessional will usually move much faster than the processional. Instead of a slow, careful walk, think of it as a joyful and confident exit! You do not need to take tiny steps or wait for every beat of the music — this moment is about celebrating. 

Final thoughts 

Your rehearsal is not about perfection — it is about preparation. It is a chance to make sure everyone understands their role, answer any last questions, and help your ceremony run smoothly. A little preparation beforehand allows you to feel more confident, relaxed, and present when the big moment arrives.

Be sure to listen to Episode 51 of 52 ‘Til I Do on Spotify or Apple Podcasts to learn more about your wedding day rehearsal.

Have more questions about your rehearsal? Send us a message at hello@marryment.com or get in touch on our social media—we love helping couples navigate this part of wedding planning!

Photo Credit to JNA Visuals

Marryment proudly serves couples all across Chicago and the surrounding Chicago Suburbs including popular areas such as Schaumburg, Elmhurst, Naperville, Evanston, Joliet, Oak Park, Skokie, Barrington, Downers Grove and Northbrook, to name a few. We also love destination weddings. We'd love to be a part of your wedding day! Schedule your free planning call with us today.