A rehearsal is a gathering of all the individuals involved with the ceremony, to practice every movement and parts of the marriage ceremony.
Detailed and specific rehearsals are conducted to ensure all involved with the ceremony are confident of their role and aware of their responsibilities. Rehearsals are an optional choice as there is an additional fee related to this service.
Rehearsals are best conducted at the ceremony site; however, there are some instances when this is not feasible. If this is the case, rehearsals off-site are an option that will involve setting up 'props' relative to the ceremony site in order for the rehearsal be a success.
It is imperative that everyone involved with the ceremony is available for the date and time of the rehearsal. Therefore, couples may wish to consider their wedding attendants' travel plans, work responsibilities, and family committments before deciding on the details of a rehearsal.
A successful rehearsal is one that is conducted in an orderly fashion with attentitiveness required by all involved. On occasion, couples find it is far easier for an officiate to step in to oversee a detailed practice of the ceremony than to assume this responsibility themselves. On a personal note, I find that rehearsals are great fun and provide an opportunity for suggestions and questions to be addressed. Thus, this makes for everyone being on the same page at the ceremony.
