Hawaii Beach Wedding Bride: Wedding Rehearsal Ideas and Sample

The rehearsal

The minister will arrange for a rehearsal to take place just before your wedding day so that everybody is familiar with the various procedures. It should be possible for the bride's father, the best man and the chief bridesmaid to be present, but check with the minister as to who he would like you to bring along.

Before the rehearsal the minister will have taken you through the service and explained the vows. He will also have asked you which version of the Marriage Service you would like to use. The first version is now a little archaic, with the bride promising to obey her husband. The second version has a similar format to the first, although the bride does not have to make this promise. The third version was updated in 1980 and includes a number of alternatives for the service and a more modern use of the English language.

Groom holding her veil in the wind on the cliffs of Hawaii

The day itself

The ushers should be the first to arrive at the church to ensure that all the guests are seated appropriately. The groom and his best man should arrive in good time as the photographer will want to take a few shots before they take their places inside the church. The bride's mother and the bridesmaids arrive at the church shortly before the ceremony, followed by the bride and her father who are greeted at the church door by the minister.

If you are having a full choral ceremony, the procession is headed by the choir, followed by the minister, the bride on her father's right arm and then the attendants. As the bride and her father reach the top of the aisle, the bridegroom and the best man take their places on the bride's right. The bride will then hand her bouquet to her chief bridesmaid, and either the bride's father or the minister will lift back her veil.

At this point there is usually a hymn (which helps to calm a few nerves!), followed by some readings, before the minister addresses the congregation explaining the significance of marriage. The marriage itself then follows:

The brides' father passes the bride's right hand to the minister who in turn passes it to the groom.

The couple make their vows and the best man places the ring(s) on the minister's prayer book ready for them to be exchanged.

The bride's father and the best man take their seats.

The bride and groom follow the minister to the altar for prayers. A hymn is often sung at this point followed by the final blessing.

The bride and groom sign the register in front of witnesses during which some music may be played.

wedding in Hawaii bride and groom sits in the car

At the end of the ceremony the bride and groom lead the recession, followed by the chief bridesmaid with the best man, the attendants (sometimes escorted by the ushers), the bride's mother with the groom's father, and the groom's mother with the bride's father. Members of both families then follow the bridal party out of the church.

The invitations to your wedding should be sent from whoever is acting as host. If you are having a large, formal wedding it is appropriate to send printed or engraved invitations.

Your stationer should have books of samples that demonstrate wording, printing styles, and the quality of the paper and card, and will be able to advise you on the alternative wordings used for specific circumstances. Be careful to check how long it will take for the invitations to be printed.

Traditionally, the invitations are sent out at least six weeks before the wedding day, but be prepared to send them out up to three months in advance of a summer wedding. This enables your guests to make suitable travel and accommodation arrangements and will also help to avoid conflicts with their holiday arrangements.