Ensure your celebrant includes a rehearsal of your wedding or gay commitment ceremony in his/her contract with you, preferably at the ceremony venue. The importance of a ceremony rehearsal can’t be over estimated. Often, wedding rehearsals include a rehearsal dinner.
Consider the level of anxiety being experienced by most couples. The amount of butterflies fluttering around in their tummies! Getting married is not an experience undertaken very frequently, it is unknown territory…..for many it is a once in a lifetime event.
The scariest part for many is that they will be the centre of attention. Having to utter words in public. Its a frightening thought and needs to be addressed.
Not only are your two lives being joined in matrimony or lifetime commitment but two families are also being united, parents, brothers and sisters and extended family. Consider too, that each of you has a number of friends each, cumulatively a community of friends. You are bringing to your union, your families and your community of friends.
One of the most important reasons for having a full rehearsal is the importance of Process.
By that I mean: “A wedding ceremony is meant to bond not only the bride and groom, not only the two families, not only the two sets of friends, but it specially honours and bonds all the wedding party participants to the bride and groom and with each other. The rehearsal enhances and underlines all this. People usually have a wonderful time at a rehearsal. It is a special and memorable coming together and bonding of friends, in a psychologically permanent way.” (Dally Messenger III)
A rehearsal familiarises everyone involved with the ceremony itself, who stands where, who speaks when, the music starts and stops where and when, CD’s and iPods tested, when to pass the bouquet to the bridesmaid. When held at the ceremony venue, a rehearsal familiarizes everyone with the venue, parking and travelling time. Phone numbers and name of the driver in each vehicle given to the celebrant in case of breakdown or accident.
The rehearsal is a vital opportunity for participants of the ceremony to practice readings, can assist to quell nervousness and anxiety, and show up lack of clarity or volume problems. In order for the ceremony to be understood, appreciated and enjoyed by all present, every aspect of it must be seen and heard.
Insist on a full rehearsal before your wedding or commitment ceremony.….you’ll be so glad you did. Your ceremony will go more smoothly, there will be no hidden surprises, you will be more calm and composed and will have every reason to thoroughly enjoy the occasion.
To learn more about how you can personalize your wedding, gay commitment ceremony or renewal of vows ceremony have a look at how Elizabeths e-books have made it easy for you.
www.thevowsbook.com – a compilation of marriage ceremonies
www.renewalofvows.net – renewal of vows ceremonies
www.spiritualceremonies.info – spiritually inspired ceremonies
www.weddingvows101.net – 101 marriage or commitment vows
www.2ndmarriageceremonies.com – second marriage ceremonies
www.gaycommitmentceremony.net – gay commitment/marriage ceremonies
www.namegivingceremonies.com – name giving/naming ceremonies
www.wedding-ceremonies.net – more marriage ceremonies
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