What Should Happen at Your Wedding Rehearsal?
When it comes to wedding planning, most couples focus on the big day—but there’s another key event that shouldn’t be overlooked: the wedding rehearsal.
As a wedding coordinator, I always remind couples that their rehearsal isn’t just a quick run-through—it’s an essential part of making sure everything flows smoothly during the ceremony. It’s also a great time to ease any nerves and ensure your wedding party knows exactly what to do. I never agree to work a wedding without having been present for the rehearsal!
If you’re wondering what your wedding rehearsal should include, here’s what I run through for every rehearsal that I work:
1. Place Everyone Where They Should Stand or Sit
We’ll begin by making sure everyone knows exactly where to stand or sit during the ceremony. This includes the wedding party, parents, and any special participants like readers or grandparents.
During the rehearsal, we will:
Place your bridesmaids, groomsmen, and family members in their correct spots
Show everyone how to line up before the processional begins
Help everyone feel confident about where they’ll be throughout the ceremony
This step ensures everyone know where they should be walk to when we get to the next step…
2. Practice The Processional
Next, we’ll do a full walk-through of the processional - the actual “walking down the aisle” part! This is when we:
Assign walking partners (if applicable)
Practice spacing and cues
Make sure everyone knows where to pause for the perfect photo moments
Confirm how you want to manage the “hand-off” of the bride from her escort
We’ll also practice the timing of the music to help everything feel natural on the big day. I often bring a Bluetooth speaker with me so that we can ensure each participant’s timing flows with the songs you’ve so carefully selected!
3. Walk Through the Ceremony Outline
Once everyone is in place, we’ll walk through the basic ceremony structure—this varies depending on whether you’re having a religious or non-religious ceremony, but usually includes:
Welcome/opening words
Readings or special moments
Vows and ring exchange
Pronouncement of marriage - Here I make sure your officiant knows exactly how you want to be introduced, “Mr. and Mrs. So-and-so” or “
This part doesn’t need to be word-for-word, but it’s helpful for everyone to understand the flow. I always recommend that the officiant attends the rehearsal - No matter how many weddings they’ve done, we want to ensure that they know exactly what you want for your big day!
4. Practice the Recessional
After the “I Do’s,” we’ll practice the recessional—the exit down the aisle after you’re officially married! If you’re planning a special dip, twirl, or dramatic kiss at the end of the aisle, the rehearsal is the perfect time to practice it! I’ll make sure you have time to try it out so it feels smooth and natural on the big day and you’ll be perfectly poised for the photographer to capture the moment!
I’ll make sure your bridesmaids, groomsmen and parents know the order for exiting and where to head after the ceremony. We don’t want any traffic jams at the end of the aisle as the bridal party.
5. Answer Everyone’s Questions
The biggest goal of the wedding rehearsal isn’t just practicing where to stand or when to walk—it’s making sure everyone feels comfortable, confident, and ready for the big day.
The rehearsal gives your wedding party and family a chance to see how everything will flow, ask questions, and shake off any nerves. My job is to guide everyone through the process in a calm, supportive way, so they know exactly what to expect and can fully enjoy the celebration when it’s time.
6. Review the Wedding Day Timeline
Before wrapping up the rehearsal, I always take a few minutes to review the wedding day timeline with your bridal party and immediate family. This ensures everyone knows exactly where they need to be, when to be ready, and what time key events—like hair and makeup, photos, and transportation—will happen.
Sharing the timeline ahead of time helps avoid last-minute confusion and keeps the entire wedding day running smoothly.
Why You Should Have a Wedding Coordinator Lead Your Rehearsal
While some couples rely on their officiant to guide the rehearsal, having a wedding coordinator makes a huge difference.
I not only help with the ceremony flow but also:
Keep things on schedule
Provide calm, clear direction
Handle unexpected details
Make sure everyone knows exactly where to be on the wedding day
My goal is to take the pressure off you, your officiant, and your wedding party—so everyone can focus on the celebration.
Ready for a Stress-Free Wedding Rehearsal?
As an experienced wedding coordinator based in North Carolina, I love helping couples feel calm, prepared, and excited for their ceremony. Whether you need someone to run your rehearsal, coordinate your ceremony, or manage your entire wedding day, I’d love to help make your celebration smooth and stress-free! Find out more about our coordination packages on our Pricing page and reach out to find out our availability!