MemberI might cry.
The rehearsal is 1 week from today at 6PM. Officiant is my good friend who lives about 2.5 hours away. She just told me that she could not get off of work and may not make the rehearsal.
What do I do!? I know this is Not the end of the world but she is kind of a big part of the ceremony and has known about this for 18 months.
please tell me it will be okay!
Member
MemberIt 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!
Member@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.
Member@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!
MemberWhat 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.
MemberThank you guys so much! I am feeling much better! The whole ceremony is basically a script that I wrote an she already has it so I’m sure she can practice it on her own time. We have been in contact frequently so I think it will be okay! I just freaked out! I didn’t realize that the most important thing is to practice the walking, etc.
Member@hollyberry4: It will be okay! My officiant couldn’t make the rehearsal and everything went off without a hitch.
MemberIt 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.
MemberYou’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.
MemberMemberI 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. 🙂
Member@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.
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