Do you really need a wedding rehearsal? A celebrants take

1 July

Anni + Lloyd, captured at Terindah Estate, Bellarine Peninsula Victoria by Madeleine Kate (they did not have a rehearsal!)

There comes a moment in nearly every wedding planning journey - usually around the final planning sprint -where someone pipes up and says:

Should we do a rehearsal?”

Cue the group chat spiralling into availability chaos.

Cue your brain adding one more thing to the to do list.

Cue me, sliding into the conversation:

Short answer. Not always.

Long answer. You probably don’t need one. And if you do? I’ll tell you.

But let’s walk through it (pun intended) so you can make that call for yourselves.

First things first: what is a wedding rehearsal?

Technically, it’s a run-through of the ceremony, usually in the week leading up to the big day.

It’s a simple walkthrough: where to stand, when to walk, who goes first, how to hold the mic, what to do once you’re pronounced married. Maybe even test out the aisle music cues.

A gentle map of the moment, before the moment.

Sometimes it’s done at the venue. Sometimes in a backyard. Sometimes over a glass of wine in the kitchen with whoever’s around.

It’s not formal. It’s not mandatory. And it doesn’t have to feel like a high-stakes production. Because (and I’ll say this louder for the people in the back) your wedding is not a performance.

You won’t hear the full ceremony delivered. You won’t read your personal vows. You definitely don’t need to perfect your acting skills. It’s more like a vibe check—for your nerves, your logistics and your crew. A chance for everyone to feel a little more comfy with the space and each other.

Here’s what I want you to know, as your Celebrant

I’ve officiated hundreds of weddings across the past five plus years (*casual flex*) and I can count on one hand the number of rehearsals that truly made a difference.

What makes the difference is trust. Trust that I’ll gently guide you through it.

That I’ll arrive early, brief your wedding party, wrangle your flower kids, work seamlessly with your vendors and make sure you’re both standing in the right place - heart rates slightly steadier than they were five minutes before.

You do not need to memorise anything.
You don’t need to rehearse love (cheesy but true…)
You just need to show up. I’ll take care of the rest.

Also, let’s be honest, coordinating everyone’s availability for a rehearsal is a logistical nightmare …

But there are times when a rehearsal can be worth it

Of course, some weddings have a few more moving parts, and that’s okay. You might benefit from a quick run-through if:

You’ve got a big wedding party and people want to see the flow
There are tricky timing cues
You’ve planned rituals, readings or surprises
You’ve got additional people, pets or small humans involved
Someone in the groups feels a bit nervous and wants to walk though it (totally fair)
Your venue has some logistical quirks (stairs, long walks, turns, boats etc)

If any of that rings true, we’ll make space for a rehearsal. I’ll keep it relaxed, helpful, and a little bit fun.

And if you’d rather not rehearse?

Totally fine.

We’ll do a full catch up the week before your wedding. Think of it like a mini ‘virtual rehearsal’. We’ll go through everything you need to know to feel completely prepped.

Then, on the day ,I’ll arrive early. I’ll chat to your wedding party, parents, vendors and anyone else with a job. I’ll cue the music, line everyone up and keep the energy flowing like I’ve done a hundred times before.

You won’t feel lost.
You won’t feel unprepared.
And you absolutely will feel the full weight of the moment - without the stress of over-practising it.

Want a backup plan?

If you’d prefer to run the rehearsal yourselves, you can absolutely do that with my DIY Wedding Rehearsal Guide.

Use it at home, the venue, a local park, or your Airbnb. Or don’t use it at all. The choice is yours.

It’s clear, simple, and easy to follow. All you need is a bit of space, your people, and maybe a glass of something fizzy.

For my couples: it’s included. Always.

When you book me as your celebrant, you get the virtual rehearsal, the guide and all the support that comes with it.

Not one of my couples?

You can still grab the guide here for $15 - Perfect if you’re planning a DIY ceremony or want a calm, celebrant-approved plan to run your own rehearsal.

[Download it here]