Wedding Rehearsal Ideas

The wedding rehearsal is traditionally a practicing of what will take place the day of the wedding ceremony. It typically includes the bride and groom, the bridal party, parents, close relatives, and any person that has a role in the ceremony such as musicians, vocalists, readings and the pastor, judge, or who ever is officiating. This person typically organizes everyone at the wedding rehearsal including the wedding party and participants and directs how the ceremony will unfold, for everything from walking down the isle, positioning of the bridal party attendants, when music is played, songs are sung, what is said during the ceremony, right through to the practice of the "I do’s".

Following the ceremony rehearsal is a long standing tradition of a dinner that includes everyone that participated in the ceremony rehearsal.

A couple of wedding rehearsal ideas one might consider is that the dinner can be an informal or formal setting. Many couples are choosing a less formal meal for a more relaxed atmosphere. This can be done at a family member or friend who would like to host; and is in close proximity to the ceremony location. This saves all out of town guests from further driving long distances and perhaps alleviating the task of finding additional unfamiliar locations across town and then finding there way back. Be considerate of location between the ceremony location and the rehearsal dinner. Furthermore who says there has to be a dinner. It could just be a picnic style with grilled foods, or just munchies if you have a tight budget. By the way, the payment of the rehearsal dinner does not have to follow the old tradition of the grooms’ parents paying. This can be hosted and paid for by the bridge and groom, a friend, family members, or anyone. There is no set in stone rule for this gathering.

Alternatively, if you desire a more formal setting, many complexes are offering rehearsal dinners at the same location as the reception and offer discounts if both are hosted. Consider seriously, to having an informal reception, for two major reasons. The food will be less expensive than dinning out. In addition, the relaxed atmosphere that will surface because some people may not know each other, and will then be free to move around and converse with those they wish to, instead of sitting next to someone they may not know. The wedding attendants will be more comfortable and will feel more comfortable should they want to retire early from the wedding rehearsal for the wedding preparations the next day.

This is also a time when some brides and grooms share their gratitude to the bridal party with gifts for being a part of their special day.

For your wedding rehearsal ideas, be creative and have a themed back yard picnic for after the formal ceremony practice. Lastly, the idea of having a less formal wedding rehearsal also allows for more anecdotal conversations and story telling along with sharing any special activities that you may want to do with those closest to you.