Our Rehearsal Policy

For most weddings we recommend three rehearsals! What follows below is a brief description of our policy and recommendations regarding rehearsals.

First Rehearsal: The Planning Meeting
The first rehearsal is usually held two or three weeks before the ceremony. We believe this is the best time to do a complete rehearsal and finalize the wording of the ceremony. The 'organization' around the ceremony is critical and requires completion at this time as well. The maid of honour or the best man may attend as well.
At the meeting, we explain our role and review our part in the ceremony. This will provide a clear perspective on the total process from beginning to end. The ultimate goal? Hopefully, everyone feels more comfortable and secure with their part in the ceremony. The ceremony is conducted according to your wishes and our agreed plans.

Second Rehearsal: Communication With Wedding Hostess
Armed with the information from the first meeting the bride and groom have a second rehearsal a few days before. Everyone in the wedding party should be informed, that at the first rehearsal meeting with your Officiant, the procedures were finalized. On most occasions there will be a wedding hostess there to assist. Normally, you follow the agreed plans as rehearsed at the pre-rehearsal meeting. However, the only procedure that really needs to be rehearsed is the timing, order and the spacing as the wedding party enters. The groom should be available to show the groomsmen where and how to stand. Easy!
If there is a wedding coordinator available to assist 'the wedding party' it is extremely important that she be informed that the first rehearsed has been completed. Some venues may instruct the wedding party do things differently then our agreed plans. Therefore the Hostess will need to know that you have already had a first rehearsal! They will then assist you in carrying out the previous agreed plans. As everything has been finalized at the pre-rehearsal meeting the presence of your Officiant is not required at this time.

Third Rehearsal: On Your Wedding Day
Our Officiants usually arrive in plenty of time to review the procedures and go over the actual ceremony for a third time. We like to meet separately with the groom and his groomsmen and rehears their part in the ceremony. Following the short meeting with the groom we then proceed to meet the bridal party. We quickly rehears the order of the entrance of each person, standing locations and roles. If there is someone presenting the bride we will also review with that person their role in the processional.

Most Important: Finally, for added reassurance you will not have to remember any of the cues, because during the ceremony itself, your officiant will softly guide you through everything! (What to do, when to turn what to say and when to leave etc...) No one will hear these prompts to you, and it will appear to your guests that you have practiced for a week! Ultimately we conduct the ceremony and 'fine tune' everything as it happens. Your worries will be less and your happiness more when you follow the three rehearsals as outlined above.
For additional detailed information kindly read "About Rehearsals" on our ' Article' web page: 'Rehearsals, Towards A New Understanding'. I hope you find this helpful.