Who You Should (and should not) Invite to Your Wedding Rehearsal

Planning your wedding rehearsal? You’re not alone in wondering who’s supposed to be there. It’s not quite the full guest list, but it’s definitely more than just the two of you and your officiant.

We’ve coordinated a lot of rehearsals, and trust us—having the right people there makes the whole wedding day smoother. Here’s a breakdown of who should be at your rehearsal, and who can sit it out.

People Who Need to Be There

Your Officiant

They’re running the ceremony, so they need to know how it’s all going to flow. If they’re a friend or family member, the rehearsal is especially important to help calm nerves and clarify the order of things.

Your Wedding Party (plus their dates)

If they’re walking down the aisle, standing at the altar, or holding a bouquet, they need to rehearse. Plus-ones don’t need to be at the rehearsal itself, but they should be included in the dinner that follows.

Immediate Family Involved in the Ceremony

That includes parents, stepparents, siblings, or grandparents who are walking down the aisle, reading a passage, lighting a candle, or participating in a special tradition. If they’re in the ceremony, they should be at the rehearsal.

Your Coordinator

Yep, this one’s obvious. Your coordinator is the one actually running the rehearsal. They’ll line everyone up, cue the music, keep things moving, and answer questions like “which side do I stand on again?”

Musician or Soloist (if it’s someone you know)

If a friend or family member is performing during your ceremony, invite them to the rehearsal so they know when to come in and where to stand. It’s just a quick run-through, but it makes a big difference.

Any Kids in the Wedding Party—and Their Parents

Flower girls, ring bearers, and junior attendants should all be there (with a parent or two). Even if they don’t totally get it, walking through the motions helps them feel more comfortable on the big day.

Who Doesn’t Need to Be There

Not everyone needs a spot at the rehearsal. You can keep the invite list short and sweet by skipping:

• Extended family who aren’t in the ceremony

• Friends or out-of-town guests who are just attending the wedding

• Vendors who aren’t involved in the ceremony itself (like your caterer or DJ)

The goal is to keep it focused so it doesn’t drag on. Rehearsals typically take 30–45 minutes, and the smaller the group, the smoother it goes.

A Few Tips to Make it Easier

• Schedule it for the day before your wedding, around the same time as your actual ceremony.

• Start on time. Seriously. This isn’t the event to be fashionably late for.

• Save the party for after. The rehearsal should be structured and focused—then you can relax over dinner with whoever you’ve invited.

We’ll Run the Rehearsal—You Just Show Up

One of the perks of hiring a coordinator through Total Weddings? We handle all of this for you. You don’t need to direct your family or remember who walks in when. We’ll run the show so you can stay in the moment.

Need a coordination package that includes rehearsal help?

Learn more about our Coordination + Rehearsal Package

FAQs about Wedding Rehearsals

Q: When should we have our rehearsal?

A: Usually the day before the wedding, and if on a weeknight, typically in the evening so there are less scheduling conflicts.

Q: Should my rehearsal dinner guest list be the same as the rehearsal itself?

A: Not necessarily. The rehearsal should include just the people in the ceremony. The dinner can be a broader invite list if you’d like to host out-of-town guests or close family.

Q: Do I need to bring anything?

A: Nope. Just bring yourselves, your coordinator, and whoever’s walking down the aisle.