Wedding Rehearsal Without a Priest

(Rehearse the steps of your Wedding)

If a Wedding Booklet has been printed, and each has it in hand, the rehearsal can be done with the sacristan, without the priest.

Before the Bride arrives:

Groom & best man (etc) to tth front pew, right-hand side.

  • Groom's family & friends occupy the right-hand pews; Bride's on left-hand.
  • Best Man has the rings and he has the Marriage Registration Form ready.

    • Start of the Ceremony

    Bridal party (page-boy, flower-girl, bridesmaids) process to front of church (left-side)

  • Bride & her patron (loco parentis) process up, to be greeted by the Groom
  • Bride and Groom are seated, while priest welcomes all present.
  • Priest will ask them to stand, to declare that there's no legal impediment to the marriage.
  • If Unity Candle is being used, couple will now light a candle each (helped by priest).

    • Prayers, Readings and Homily

    • Priest leads the opening prayers
    • First Reader will be called forward to the lectern, to read the selected portion.
    • Responsorial Psalm will be read (or preferably sung)
    • Second Reading (if chosen) will now be done.
    • Alleluia-verse can be read or sung
    • Gospel will be read by the priest, followed by a brief homily

    The Wedding-Vows (all standing)

    • Three Questions: about the meaning of marriage are answered by the couple (“Yes”).
    • Vows: At the priest's invitation, the couple make their Wedding-Vows, in the form they have chosen (i.e Short or Longer Form).
    • Rings: Priest blesses the wedding-rings and hands a ring to the Groom, to place it on Bride's finger...
      • Groom to Bride: “Please wear this ring, as a sign of our faithful love, in the name of the Father, etc.”
      • Bride to Groom: “Please wear this ring, as a sign of our faithful love, in the name of the Father, etc.”
      • (Bride and Groom may embrace, allowing the guests to applaud).
    • Candle: Couple go to the altar, to jointly light the Unity Candle (helped by priest). Bride and Groom return to their seats.

    Remainder of the Liturgy

    • Prayers of the Faithful are read. (The readers come to the lectern for this. They come up together and return together afterwards to their seats.)
    • Offertory and Eucharistic Prayer follow (if wedding is within a Mass)
    • The Our Father is said by the priest and congregation, then:
    • The Nuptial Blessing over the couple (who shall be kneeling to receive it).
    • The Sign of Peace is exchanged by Bride and Groom, and then with their family & friends.
    • Holy Communion: All kneel in preparation for Holy Communion. Priest brings it to the couple, in both forms.
    • All sit while a hymn is sung, or a reflection is read.
    • Final prayers and blessing, led by the priest.

    Signing the Marriage Registration Form

    • This Civil Form is signed by the couple, the priest and the witnesses (Bridesmaid, Best Man).
    • After some photographs, the couple lead procession out of the church (Groom on right, Bride on left)