Your Rehearsal Day Is Important
by Rev. Ted Czukor
When I began performing weddings as an interfaith minister, I was surprised to learn that rehearsals are walked through without props. This makes no sense to me, because I was trained in the theatre.
No actor ever goes onstage without thoroughly practicing with his props -- and I believe that your wedding is just as important as any Broadway play.
You have props, too. Unity candles, sand-blending bottles, family medallions, bouquets and rings. The rehearsal is your chance to work with all of these things before The Day, so you will have as few surprises as possible.
The same goes for costumes. While fun to watch on TV, no wedding of mine is going to see the bride's veil going up in flames because she didn't think of practicing in her headpiece with live candles. Since fire won't be provided at the rehearsal, the bride and groom should practice at home, just like actors preparing for opening night. This is important!
Of course, I understand that no bride will wear her gown to the rehearsal. But you can wear a "rehearsal dress" the same length as your train, even something as simple as a bedsheet pinned around your waist. You should practice going up and down stairs in this -- wear your satin heels, not flip-flops -- and your Dad can see where the train will lie on the ground to avoid stepping on it.
Grooms, if you're going to rent a tux for an outdoor Phoenix wedding, wear a hot, itchy suit to the rehearsal. You may have read about knights of old, who practiced in suits of armor that were heavier than what they would actually wear into battle. Follow the same strategy with your tux if you want to be as comfortable as possible for the performance.
Yes, your wedding ceremony is a performance, one of the most important in your life. Rehearse every element of it as thoroughly as you can -- not only for the satisfaction of your guests, but also for that video record -- it's going to last forever. Unlike Broadway, there will be no second chance to get it right!
