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Rehearsal Ceremony: there's more than one way to
conduct a wedding rehearsal...fast and efficiently or slow and
disorganized. We recommend the former. The following
instructions will guide you step-by-step through the
rehearsal. This is only one example. You may have more
or less people involved in your ceremony and typically there
will be someone, maybe your officiant, present to guide
you. If not...the following instructions may become
valuable. During a FREE consultation, we would be happy to
customize these instructions to meet your desires or
actually conduct the rehearsal for you, if you've hired us
for your ceremony.
Rehearsal Ceremony
Instructions:
- Have
entire bridal party take their positions (as if the ceremony were
in progress, this will determine positioning and spacing
- step back and approve or adjust to your liking)
- Grooms
mother is seated front row, right of center aisle.
- Brides
mother is seated by usher or escort - front row, left of center
aisle.
- Bride
and Groom approximately 2 ft. away from Officiant (closer to front
row of seating)
- Best
Man and Maid/Matron of Honor are approximately 2-3 ft. away
from the Bride and Groom and either a half step closer to front
row of seating for viewing the Bride and Groom or
parrallel with them.
- Other
bridesmaids and groomsmen are approximately 2 ft. further away
from the Bride and Groom. This spacing repeats itself
until the last bridesmaid and groomsman are in
place. Typically they are a half step closer to front
row seating (so they can see the Bride and Groom)
- There
may be a candlelighting or a blending of sand during the
ceremony...sometimes a rose exchange with your parents as
well.
- Pretend
the ceremony has ended and prepare to exit
- The
Bride and Groom are presented by their Officiant and the
recessional begins
- The
Bride and Groom exit first
- Best
Man and Maid/Matron of honor merge to center as they watch the
Bride and Groom exit. They should allow the Bride and
Groom to get beyond the last row of seating before they begin
their exit
- If
you have a flower girl and ring bearer, they may exit with Best
Man and Maid/Matron or with their parents.
- Other
bridesmaids and groomsmen merge to center as they watch the couple
in front of them exit, they should allow previous couple to get
approximately 15-20 ft. ahead of them before they begin
their exit
- Parents
exit following the bridal party then the remainder of the guests
exit
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Now
we prepare for the entrance: All of the guests have been
seated and we’re ready to begin your ceremony
- Grandparents,
then parents, are seated by ushers or spouses. The Bride's
mother is seated last by an usher or designated other…mothers may
light taper candles if there is a unity candle.
- Led
by your Officiant, the Groom (and groomsmen) take their
places (entering from
the right side of seating). Groomsmen may be escorting
bridesmaids.
- Bridesmaids
(and groomsmen) enter after the Officiant and Groom (and
groomsmen) have turned and faced the center back row of seating
where the Bride will be entering from.
- Allow
approximately 20 to 30 ft. distance between each bridesmaid (and
groomsmen) entrance.
- The
Maid/Matron of Honor (and Best Man) enter followed by the ring
bearer then flower girl.
- The
Bride and her escort begin their procession after the flower girl
has dropped the flower pedals and reached her postion.
- Bride
and escort stop just before reaching the Groom (music should fade).
- Your
Officiant will say whatever he/she is going to say and ask "Who
gives this woman to be wed?"
- Escort
will answer and then present the Bride’s hand to the
Groom.
- The
Bride's escort may then take his/her seat or position in the
bridal party. The officiant may say a few more words
before the Bride’s escort actually takes his/her seat.
- Your
Officiant orchestrates the ceremony, the vows, possibly a reading
by a friend or family member, the ring exchange,
candle/sand and then he/she will pronounce the Bride and
Groom as "Husband and Wife."
- Your
Officiant may say a few other words, perhaps a prayer,
and then he will present the Bride and Groom who will begin
their recessional.
If
you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call
me. I have conducted hundreds of ceremonies and would be happy
to assist you in any way that I can.
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