WatersEdge Event & Conference Center - Charity Wentz Photography
Leading up to your wedding day, a key element to make sure your special day runs smoothly is rehearsing your wedding ceremony before the real thing takes place. After all, the ceremony is one of the most significant moments of the whole day!
What Does a Wedding Rehearsal Involve?
Rehearsal night (or afternoon) is more than just practice, it is a celebration itself! The rehearsal is a great way to kick off festivities and give your guests and family time to get to know each other. It also gives everyone involved (the couple, wedding party, officiant, and any others with roles) a chance to walk through the ceremony. This helps everyone know where to stand, when to walk, and what to do, lowering the chance of confusion or mistakes on the actual day.
Following the rehearsal, couples traditionally host a rehearsal dinner. This gathering brings together those involved in the wedding for a relaxed evening of socializing, celebrating, and final preparations. It also is the perfect opportunity to take time to thank those who have helped make your wedding dreams come true!
Your Wedding Rehearsal at Lakeview or The Cove
At Watersedge, every booked couple gets a one-hour rehearsal included with their wedding package. Depending upon the venue’s calendar of events, the rehearsal typically occurs in the morning, afternoon, or evening the day before the wedding, which works great for planning pre-wedding activities and rehearsal dinners.
At your rehearsal, your Wedding Coordinator will give you time to unload any decor items you want to leave at the venue so that our team members can set them up the next day. Feel free to leave behind your seating charts, memory photos, guest favors, and more! Our team will take care of everything to make sure the items are set in the venue where you desire them.
Then, after your guests have arrived at your rehearsal, your Wedding Coordinator will gather everyone to walk through where you will be standing for the ceremony and how you will exit and enter the ceremony space. Your officiant will also have time to review the specific details of your ceremony, from introductions and special readings to vows and ring exchanges.
Your Wedding Coordinator will then use the time before or after the rehearsal to go over any outstanding details about the day or ask if you have any more questions.
Julie Jackson Photography
Who Should Attend the Wedding Rehearsal?
When choosing who is invited to the rehearsal, think of it as a way of rounding up the key players involved in your day, and anyone who is essential to keeping the day running smoothly. Typically, this includes your wedding party—like your bridesmaids and groomsmen, as well as individuals with unique roles in the ceremony. The officiant should be included too, as they will be the one coordinating the ceremony and helping to run the rehearsal. If you have flower girls, ring bearers, or others participating in the ceremony, they are there too. We recommend inviting parents or guardians who play a significant role or need to understand any logistics about the proceedings, too.
Invites for the rehearsal dinner will typically include these same guests or anyone who plays a big part in the day. Inviting other close family members to the rehearsal dinner can be a kind gesture, too, even if they are not necessarily involved in the ceremony itself. Other optional but polite invites to the rehearsal dinner include plus-ones of your wedding party and out-of-town guests you are closest with who have traveled to come to the wedding.
Your rehearsal dinner can be as informal or formal as you want it to be as a couple. The night is about gathering your loved ones together and using this time to thank them and show appreciation for being involved in such an important day!
Tips for Planning Your Rehearsal Night
- Decide who will host the dinner and where. Traditionally, the groom’s family hosts, but it can also be either family or even the couple themselves. Once the host is decided, choose a location that fits your style and budget. This can range from a BTTS Venue like The FIG Room, a formal restaurant to a casual backyard BBQ, or even a cozy and intimate meal at home.
- Decide on the guest list: Create a guest list that includes immediate family, the bridal party, and any other close friends or relatives involved in the wedding. This is usually a more intimate gathering compared to the wedding itself.
- Consider appropriate timing: Schedule the rehearsal dinner or lunch for the evening or afternoon before the wedding. Ensure it is still early enough in the evening to allow everyone enough rest before the big day.
- Plan for toasts/speeches: Organize a few short toasts or speeches to add to the evening and help make it memorable. Traditionally, the groom’s parents might give a speech, followed by the bride and groom and other key bridal party members. This is a wonderful way to still incorporate special toasts into the celebration without having to include all of them at the actual wedding itself.
- Announce last-minute reminders or details about the wedding day: Use this opportunity to review any final details or changes regarding the schedule, transportation arrangements, or other valuable information. This ensures everyone is on the same page and helps to alleviate any last-minute confusion or stress.
Planning your wedding rehearsal is a crucial step in pulling off a successful wedding day. With thoughtful preparation, your rehearsal can become a fun and enjoyable prelude to your wedding, allowing everyone to feel confident and excited about the celebration ahead! Of course, if you have questions or ideas for your rehearsal, contact your Wedding Coordinator so they can be involved.
TPrice Photography
