What is a Wedding Rehearsal?
Planning a wedding involves many moving parts, and a wedding rehearsal helps ensure everything runs smoothly on the big day. A wedding rehearsal is a practice run of the ceremony, usually held a day or two before the wedding. It gives the wedding party, officiant, and key participants a chance to walk through the ceremony, understand their roles, and get comfortable with the flow of events. Here’s everything you need to know about wedding rehearsals, including who attends, what happens, and why you should have one.
What Happens During a Wedding Rehearsal
A wedding rehearsal usually takes 30-60 minutes, depending on the complexity of the ceremony. This run-through helps everyone feel prepared and confident for the upcoming real ceremony and here’s what typically happens:
Welcome & Overview – The officiant or wedding coordinator explains the ceremony structure.
Processional Practice – Everyone walks down the aisle in order, just like they will on the wedding day.
Positioning & Roles – The wedding party finds their spots at the altar, and the officiant guides the couple through the key moments.
Vow & Ring Exchange Practice – Some couples choose to rehearse their vows, while others just practice the logistics.
Recessional (Exit) Practice – The couple and wedding party practice walking back down the aisle after the ceremony.
Final Instructions – Any last-minute adjustments or reminders are given to ensure everything is clear.
The wedding rehearsal typically includes everyone involved in the ceremony. Not everyone needs to attend, but anyone with a role in the ceremony should be there to practice.
Bride & Groom – You’ll practice your entrance, vows, and exit.
Officiant – Leads the rehearsal and ensures everyone understands their roles.
Wedding Party – Bridesmaids, groomsmen, maid of honor, and best man practice their processional and recessional.
Parents & Grandparents – If they are walking down the aisle or have special roles.
Flower Girl & Ring Bearer – Helps young participants feel comfortable.
Readers or Performers – If someone is reading a poem or singing, they may attend.
Coordinator or Planner – If you have a wedding planner, they’ll help direct the rehearsal.
Most couples hold it the day before the wedding, usually in the late afternoon or early evening, ideally, at the actual wedding venue. If that’s not possible, another location can be used for a general walk-through. Many couples follow the rehearsal with a rehearsal dinner, which offers a chance to relax and celebrate with close friends and family.
Why Have a Wedding Rehearsal
A wedding is one of the most significant moments in a couple’s life, and ensuring everything runs smoothly on the big day is essential. This is where a wedding rehearsal comes in! A wedding rehearsal is a practice run of the ceremony, typically held a day or two before the wedding, to ensure everyone knows their role and the event flows seamlessly. Even if your ceremony seems simple, a rehearsal helps eliminate stress, confusion, and last-minute hiccups.
A wedding is a coordinated event, and even the simplest ceremonies require proper timing and structure. A rehearsal helps clarify:
The Order of the Processional & Recessional – Who walks down the aisle and in what order?
Where Everyone Stands – The wedding party, officiant, and couple all need designated spots.
Timing of Key Moments – When do the vows, ring exchange, and pronouncement happen?
How to Exit Gracefully – Avoid awkward pauses or missteps at the end of the ceremony.
Wedding day jitters are completely normal, and a rehearsal can help ease anxiety for everyone involved. Walking through the ceremony in advance helps the couple feel more confident about their vows, movements, and timing, ensure the wedding party feels comfortable with their entrances, exits, and roles, and that family members or young participants, like the flower girl or ring bearer, are familiar with what to do. Practicing ahead of time ensures that when the big moment arrives, everyone feels prepared instead of panicked.
A wedding rehearsal is a simple yet powerful way to ensure that your wedding day is stress-free, smooth, and memorable. It gives you and your loved ones the chance to practice, make adjustments, and feel fully prepared and confident when it’s time to walk down the aisle. Historic Acres of Hershey is a beautiful place for a wedding with multiple indoor spaces to choose from and lovely outdoor spaces, too. Our rustic property is lovely all year round. Give us a call at 717-298-6340 to learn more or contact us.