As of now we are having one. It might be on a Thursday (only night they allow for rehearsals at our venue), but we are pretty sure we’ll have one.
My title is referring to Miss Cowboy Boot’s recent post on Weddingbee about her and her FI’s decision to not have a rehearsal. Mostly a request from her FI, he has asked that they not have a wedding rehearsal. He really wants things on their wedding day to feel “organic” and “raw.”
To be honest, this is the first I had ever heard of not having a rehearsal…intentionally. Not that I feel one is needed, I jut always assumed it was part of the process, so I did not give it a second thought. I can completely understand where Mr. Cowboy Boot is coming from; to just let things happen on the wedding day the way they are supposed to. I even read through some of the comments on her post, and it seems there are a few brides who did not have one either, and it got me thinking if we really needed to have one or not.
What about you? Are you having a rehearsal or opting out of one?
9:46 am on September 4th, 2009
I am like you…I never thought there was an alternative.
The reason I am excited about our rehearsal is the rehearsal dinner…we are having a pretty large rehearsal dinner to accommodate all of our OOT guests, so that is what makes me excited. Not the actual rehearsal.
10:54 am on September 4th, 2009
Ok, I can sort of see where she’s coming from, but as someone who attends a lot of weddings, I’m firmly in the rehearsal camp, if only for the sake of your vendors and officiant. It’s really the only opportunity everyone will have to see the space, figure out where to stand, when to move, when to sit, etc. It’s the last opportunity you really have to address your party about the “business” of the wedding, since no one wants to do that at the rehearsal dinner.
I can see a lot of danger in just showing up on the day and expecting your party to be feeling the whole “organic” nature of the day. There are plenty of unscripted moments that can happen within the context of a smoothly running ceremony…and without the frustrations of the groomsmen not knowing when to walk and where to walk to.
3:30 pm on September 4th, 2009
I am excited about our rehearsal dinner too, as we are hoping to have it held in one of the FI and I’s favorite restaurants in Soulard.
3:54 pm on September 4th, 2009
I’m a firm believer in the rehearsal. Absolutely. While I’d like to think that everyone is a pro at walking up an aisle…I’m also realistic. Not saying that bridesmaids & groomsmen are stupid…but on the big day emotions are running, there’s always chaos, and unless you’ve got someone behind the scenes saying “Maid of Honor – you’re go for take off” then a rehearsal is necessary.
4:18 pm on September 4th, 2009
Those are great points! And as a planner, I think the rehearsal is important for everyone. The wedding day will still feel organic!
1:23 am on September 8th, 2009
I am pro-rehearsal, if a rehearsal is possible. I know at the very least we’ll sit down with our officiant and go over all the ceremony elements since 200 pairs of eyes will be on us.
I don’t care as much about the walking part since we don’t have many people in our party!