Even if you’re planning a small wedding or don’t have a large wedding party, a ceremony rehearsal is absolutely essential—which is why we require one! It’s more than just a run-through; it’s a chance to ensure everything flows beautifully, making your walk down the aisle feel effortless and stress-free.
Your rehearsal allows us to go over the key moments—like the handoff, vow exchange, and recessional—so nothing feels awkward or uncertain on your wedding day. Plus, it’s an opportunity for me to meet all of your VIPs, ensuring everyone knows their role and feels comfortable. The more at ease your wedding party is, the smoother and more magical your day will be!
Take this wedding below for example. This chapel was very small. The size of the Wren Chapel didn’t allow for the bridal party to be all in one row. On the rehearsal day, we planned for the bridal party to be staggered in two different rows. This allowed for the entire bridal party to fit at the altar and also allowed to be visually appealing for photos. This again, is one of the many reasons we require a wedding rehearsal.
Key Things to Remember for Your Ceremony:
🌿 No gum, watches (unless approved by the couple), hair ties on wrists, or phones—We’ll do a final check before the ceremony, so no need to stress!
💐 Hold your bouquet at your belly button with your arms resting lightly on your hips. This helps with posture and makes for the best photos!
🚶♀️ Walk slowly down the aisle—savor the moment, take a deep breath, and don’t rush. This is your grand entrance!
🤍 When standing at the altar, hold hands with your future spouse instead of facing the officiant. This creates a more intimate and connected look (and makes for dreamy photos!).
🤵♂️ Groomsmen, place your left hand over your right hand—this small detail ensures a polished, uniform look for pictures.
💋 Pause halfway down the aisle after your first kiss and hold for at least 5 seconds—this guarantees your photographer captures that perfect just-married shot!
A well-planned rehearsal means a seamless ceremony and a stress-free experience for you, your wedding party, and your guests. Trust me, when the big moment comes, you’ll be so glad you had this time to prepare!
How Sweet Caroline Events Holds a Ceremony Rehearsal
At Sweet Caroline Events, we believe a well-organized rehearsal is the secret to a stress-free, picture-perfect wedding day. Our rehearsals are designed to ensure that everyone—from the wedding party to the officiant—knows exactly what to expect, making the ceremony flow beautifully. Here’s how we run things:
1️⃣ A Warm Welcome – We start by greeting everyone and making sure all key players are present. This is a chance for us to meet your VIPs and for them to get comfortable with us before the big day!
2️⃣ Finding Your Places – We guide the entire wedding party to their correct positions at the altar, ensuring they know where to stand during the ceremony. We also show VIP family members where they’ll be seated so they feel confident about where to go when it’s time.
3️⃣ Practicing the Recessional – Before we practice walking in, we start with the exit! We run through the recessional first, so everyone knows how they’ll leave the ceremony smoothly.
4️⃣ Lining Up the Wedding Party – Once we’ve covered the exit, we get everyone set for their entrance. We line up the wedding party in order, making sure they know exactly who they’re following and when to go.
5️⃣ Walking the Processional – One by one, each wedding party member practices their walk down the aisle and takes their place at the altar. We’ll fine-tune any last details to make sure everyone moves with confidence and ease.
6️⃣ Important Reminders – While everyone is gathered at the altar, I’ll go over some key details about the wedding morning—where and when wedding party members need to be, where we’ll all meet before the ceremony, and any last-minute logistics to ensure a smooth start to the day.
7️⃣ Officiant Hand-Off – Once the logistics are covered, I’ll hand things over to your officiant, who will walk you through the vow exchange and any other ceremony details so you feel fully prepared.
By the end of the rehearsal, everyone knows their role, feels comfortable, and is ready to celebrate your love with confidence. It’s a simple yet essential step that ensures your ceremony is effortless, elegant, and exactly how you envisioned it!
Vendors:
Planning: Sweet Caroline Events, @sweetcarolineeventsva
Photography: Morgan Renee Photography, @morganreneephoto
Venue: Wren Chapel on the Campus of William & Mary
Reception venue: Williamsburg Woodlands Hotel and Suites as part of the Colonial Williamsburg Resort
Leave a comment