Just like the theatre, a wedding requires a little bit of stage management too.  After all, you will have an audience and certainly will want all of the details in place.

• There are a lot of things to think about.
• Is your selected music long enough or will the song end before you can make it all the way up the aisle ?
• Will your entire wedding party fit comfortably on the altar space?
• What will you do with the wedding bouquet during the ring exchange? 

• It's also enjoyable to have a rehearsal prior to the wedding so that family members and friends can meet one another.
• Invite everyone involved in your ceremony to the rehearsal.  It's an excellent time for people to get acquainted.  
• Try to incorporate your readers, musicians, and officiants into the rehearsal.  You will want to be sure that they have the right cues as well. 

Though people will go out of their way to be available on your wedding day, it can be difficult to gather everyone together at once prior to the wedding. 

• Think about holding the rehearsal on the evening before the wedding.
• If guests are travelling from out of town, reserve a room for them at a local hotel.

• Hold the rehearsal 1-3 days prior to the wedding.
• Having the rehearsal a week or more prior to the ceremony can only lead to mishaps.
• You will want to hold the rehearsal as close to the wedding day as you can, so that directions and rituals are fresh in everyone's mind. 

• Confirm a date and time with your ceremony venue.
• No matter which day you decide to hold your rehearsal, check with the venue to make sure it's available. 
• You will want to know that there are no conflicts before you send word about a date and time to your guests.

There are a few things that you should be sure to do, yet there are also a number of things that won't be necessary.  

• DO:
• Get the clothes right.  Use this rehearsal as a time to practice walking down that aisle in high heels !  You will also want to wear a long skirt  or a bottom similar to that of your wedding dress.   
• Use props.  You will want to simulate events wherever possible, so don't be afraid to use a make-shift bouquet to be passed around and give the ring bearer a throw pillow  to practice with.

• DON'T:
• Don't feel as if you need to go through every line of the ceremony.  The officiant will guide you through the most important parts.  
• If you are writing your own vows, practice them privately so that everyone will hear them for the first time on the day of your wedding.
• Don't run through things once.  Run through a few times.  If someone asks to try something again, do it.  The more you practice ahead of time, the easier the ceremony will flow on the big day. 

If dinner is a part of your plans, ponder these thoughts. 

• Decide who is going. 
• Will you only take out the wedding party?  Will friends and family be welcome to join?  The choice is yours, but be clear about your expectations.

• Decide who pays.
• Traditionally, the groom and/or his family pick up the tab of the rehearsal dinner. 
• More modern couples may choose to pay for this dinner themselves. 

• Decide where to go.
• Make a reservation at your favourite restaurant or look for one in close proximity to the venue.
• Estimate the number of guests going and call ahead to make sure that the restaurant can accommodate your party. 

• Think about gifts.
• This dinner is the perfect opportunity to present your wedding attendants with tokens of your appreciation. 
• Write a short speech and present each gift individually.  

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