Will you Run Our Rehearsal?

Will You Run Our Rehearsal?

Short answer? Yup. Long answer? Keep reading.

This is one of the top questions we get from couples:
“Will you be there for our rehearsal?”
The answer? YES. Every time.

Every full planning package we offer includes Day-of Coordination. That means we’re not just showing up on wedding day. We’re there the day before too, to walk you (literally) through how it’s all going to unfold.

Now let’s clear up a common misconception:
Rehearsal ≠ Rehearsal Dinner
Those are two separate events, and we treat them that way.

So what is the rehearsal?

Think of your rehearsal like a live-action wedding preview.
We go over the full ceremony order:

• Who walks when, where, and with whom

• Where everyone stands

• Who’s holding the rings

• When to hand off the bouquet

• Where to pause for the cutest aisle photos

• When the kiss happens (and whether the officiant should step aside)
  

We’ll block it out step-by-step. Not just to get timing right, but to make sure everyone involved feels confident and not awkward. You’ll practice walking down the aisle, hear all the cues, know when to smile, and where to stand. So when the actual ceremony happens everyone’s relaxed and ready.

We schedule one hour for rehearsal. It rarely takes that long (most are 30–40 minutes tops), but we buffer time because…well, life. People run late. Emotions get high. We like having the space to let it breathe.

But wait! Will you help with the rehearsal dinner too?

Only if you book it.

Rehearsal coordination is included in all full planning packages but the rehearsal dinner is a separate event that often requires extra setup, timing, and sometimes even an entirely different location. If you want help with that too, just say the word and we’ll add it to your planning proposal.

“We’re not doing a rehearsal… is that bad?”

Not at all! Sometimes the venue won’t allow one. Sometimes guests can’t make it early. Sometimes you’re eloping or keeping it super simple.

When that happens, we’ll send you a custom walkthrough video that shows exactly what to expect. We’ll go over your processional plan, answer your ceremony questions, and make sure you still feel confident heading into the big day.

And if we’ve said it once, we’ll say it again: The ceremony is not where you fail.
Your vows don’t need to be Shakespeare. (Trust us, the best ones usually aren’t.)

Real story? At our own wedding, we forgot the vows entirely and had to improvise. They ended up being way better because they were honest, heartfelt, and 100% us. Think: “I promise to bring you chocolate when you need it” vibes. It worked and has been probably the best promise we’ve made to date.

Let’s Talk Details:

Here’s a sneak peek at what we actually run during the rehearsal:

➤ Processional Order

We help you decide who walks down the aisle when. Every culture and couple is different, and we’ll help you personalize it.

• Traditional Christian? Grandparents, parents, groom, party, bride.
  

• Jewish? Bride & groom are escorted by both parents.
  

• Kenyan? You might just dance down the aisle (yes, really).
  No matter what traditions you follow, we’ve got you covered.
  

➤ Where Everyone Stands

Traditionally the bride stands on the left and groom on the right. But if your best photo angle is the other way around? Flip it. Parents seated on the opposite side to see your face? Love it. We’ll help you design a setup that works for your day, your guests, and your vibe.

➤ What Do We Do With the Bouquet?

Your maid of honor will hold it or if there’s no one in that role, we’ll designate someone seated in the front row or place it neatly nearby. Easy.

➤ What About Kids?

Totally depends on their age and comfort level. For kids under 5, we often recommend letting them sit with family after their walk. But again, it's your call.

➤ Do We Test Mics or Music?

Only if we’ve got your DJ on site during the rehearsal. If not, we’ll run through the motions and confirm cues so everyone’s in sync come wedding day.

➤ How Do We Walk?

We’ll guide you through pacing (slow is best), when to pause, and how to hit your marks. We time it all out and teach you how to make it look smooth and photo-perfect.

What if my planner can’t make the rehearsal?

If your main coordinator (aka us) can’t make it, an assistant coordinator who’s on your wedding team absolutely will. You’ll always have someone from Ribbon & Rogue there making sure things run smoothly. No guessing, no chaos.

Final Thoughts

Rehearsals matter. They’re like a secret weapon for confidence, calm, and “ohhh, that’s how it works” clarity. Even if you feel like you don’t need one; trust us, you’ll be glad you had it.

And even if you skip the rehearsal entirely, we’ll still make sure you're ready.

This is what we do. It’s what we love.
And we’ll make sure that when your music starts and the doors open, you’re not thinking about anything but the person waiting for you at the end of the aisle.

Want us at your rehearsal (and rehearsal dinner)?
Let’s get it on the books → ribbonandrogue.com/contact