(Closed) My officiant might not make the rehearsal

• thunderberry
• 4 years ago

• Wedding: August 2014

It will be fine! I know a lot of people who had their rehearsals without the officiant. If you use a professional instead of a friend then it usually costs more to have them come to the rehearsal so a lot of people don’t bother. You can still have everyone practice walking in and figure out where to stand, etc, I think that’s the stuff that usually goes wrong and you don’t need the officiant for that!

• remijp
• 4 years ago

• Wedding: June 2013

@hollyberry4:  I think it’s super important for the bride, groom, and officiant to meet and talk about the flow of the ceremony. Is there anyway you could at least meet another time?  I think you can still go forward with the rehearsal as planned, to figure out the order and timing of the procession/recession. It might be helpful to have a script written out and have someone read it in place of the officiant. 

FWIW the officiant, my husband and I did not practice what we were saying during the rehearsal. We just practiced walking out and determined who would stand where. We talked about the flow of the ceremony with our officiant over burgers and beer at a different time. This could easily be done over video chat if she can’t make the trip. 

• BP2Be
• 4 years ago

• Wedding: September 2013

@hollyberry4:  It will absolutely be okay 🙂 We didn’t have our Jusice of the Peace at our rehersal either – we was doing another wedding the day before. But we spoke on the phone lots of times, and the day of the rehersal we just practiced where to stand and how to line up. It all worked out perfectly!

• CoCoCourtney
• 4 years ago

What about having her there via facetime or skype? That way she can still be somewhat in on things and can give input. It obviously isn’t the best, but could be better than her not being there at all. 

• ellie-b
• 4 years ago

• Wedding: September 2013

@hollyberry4:  It will be okay! My officiant couldn’t make the rehearsal and everything went off without a hitch.

• Audrey2_sings
• 4 years ago

• Wedding: September 2013

It will be fine.  Frankly, I wanted the rehearsal to be as short as possible.  I was only concerned about the timing of the walking.  Our officiant (my stepdad) was there, but I didn’t want him to say anything from the ceremony!  Ruins the magic of it.  So really, if he wasn’t family, he probably wouldn’t have even needed to be there.  Definitely talk with your officiant about the flow of the ceremony, but it shouldn’t be at the rehearsal.

• vorpalette
• 4 years ago

• Wedding: August 2013

You’ll be fine. We had one of our officiants at the rehearsal, and it was awesome having her there as a pro to tell people when/where to walk in, where to stand, and how to stand (as in, guys have your arms in front with one hand clasping the opposite wrist). We didn’t use any of the text at all. She had us stand like we were going to, practice the recessional, and then do the processional and recessional again.

• MrsTVLover
• 4 years ago

• Wedding: September 2011

You’ll be fine.  We didn’t even have a rehearsal

• chocolatejazz
• 4 years ago

• Wedding: November 1999

I don’t reecall my officiant being at my rehearsal either. (Half of the other wedding party couldn’t make it either, but that’s another story! LOL) Bottom line, is that it’s ok…really. 🙂

Normally, the officiant is of a religious persuasion and may be busy tending to their obligations. They really have the easiest job other than the guests. They’ll arrive at the venue, greet everyone, and assume their position at the front of the venue. You’ll be getting dressed and all dolled up, and won’t even notice! Enjoy your sepcial day. 🙂

• 1stRosie
• 4 years ago

• Wedding: July 2013

@hollyberry4:  this happened to a friend of mine who got married in august.  the priest wasnt there at the rehearsal and things didnt explode.  everything will be fine 🙂  just have someone stand in and say blah blah blah.