The Real Deal - Your Questions Answered
Dear Stacy, I am trying to prepare my family and large bridal party for our wedding rehearsal. The rehearsal dinner is at 7pm and the actual rehearsal is at 5:30. The venues are a close drive away but we have a lot of people to coordinate. What can I do to make the rehearsal go a little more smoothly?
Ok. The rehearsal. Wow! First of all, congratulations! You are truly at the end of the wedding planning rollercoaster. You have probably spent the last nine months or so making more decisions from more options than you ever could have imagined.
To make your rehearsal go a little bit smoother, plan ahead. Discuss with your officiant and fiancée what your preferred procession is going to be. This is the basis for the rehearsal. If you are able, type out your procession, the order of who will walk down the aisle and where they will stand at the altar. Provide a copy for everyone walking down the aisle.
If you are having your wedding at a country club or restaurant, chances are there is a banquet coordinator who will lead your rehearsal if you wish. Remember, they are professionals and they KNOW weddings. You choose the procession. You choose where people will stand. Let the banquet coordinator be the Rehearsal Nazi … chances are it will go a lot more smoothly and quickly.
Also, it goes without saying, but your friends and family are going to be antsy and excited for you and will have trouble shutting up for the few necessary minutes of rehearsal. Just take charge, or ask your fiancée to do so, and explain to them that you all want to get to the rehearsal DINNER and this is just a formality that everyone needs to learn quickly so that you can start the partying.
So, make a list of important things to say to your bridal party and family. Don’t have anyone at the actual rehearsal that isn’t walking the aisle. This will keep everyone focused on the activity at hand.
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