ceremony musicians at rehearsal?

I've been a ceremony musician for several years, and we rarely go to the wedding rehearsal. We would have to charge an additional hourly rate, which makes it more expensive for our couples. Then there's the fact that whoever is running the rehearsal wants you listening to his/her instructions, not the musicians. And no one ever walks the same speed at the ceremony as they did at the rehearsal. If your musicians are experienced professionals, they will communicate with your DOC and be able to make all the correct transitions at the correct times. Just follow directions and don't start walking before they have a moment to switch to your song!

Another ceremony musician here. Usually not necessary but if you would like it for peace of mind, be prepared to pay extra and give them a meal. They are providing a service for you and need to make a living too. Have your DOC or someone coordinating things give a nod to the first violin when they need to start and they'll know what to do. Most groups have little sections to repeat in case they need the music to go on longer, or stopping places in case it needs to end earlier.

Much respect for BreKMK and Margaret. Their comments are the words of wedding professionals. I always make sure I'm on the same page as my ceremony musicians and DOC. We do this behind the scenes so our wedding couples don't have to worry about it. That being said, from an officiant standpoint ceremony musicians don't need to be at your rehearsal unless you want to pay for them to be there. Your ceremony will be just fine. Best wishes!

I have a live musician for my ceremony. He won't be at the rehearsal. We won't be having our officiant either. They're professionals I trust they know what to do. We'll just be doing a quick run through with the venue's coordinator then it's off to dinner and drinks!

We had live musicians and did not ask them to come to the rehearsal. I felt like it would have been a waste of their time since they're pros and know what to do.

My daughter had the whole nine yards -- including the ceremony string quartet. They were fabulous -- awe inspiring, in fact.

I paid them four figures to perform on her wedding day, and they lived up to our expectations. I have the utmost respect for these genuine artists, and every moment they give to me -- or any client -- has a price tag attached -- as it should. Having them at a rehearsal? If you want them there, you're going to have to pay a nice fee to have them there. It's needless. All they need to know is what you want them to play during the 20 minutes that guests are arriving, what you want them to play during the bridal party processional, what you want them to play during the bride's processional, and what you want them to play during the recessional. If they're pros, the segue from one part of the ceremony to the other will be seamless. Then, they head off, immediately, to get to the cocktail hour on time.

We also have a string quartet and they are just doing our ceremony and Cocktail hour.

I have never seen a ceremony musician at a rehearsal. What needs to be in place is someone from the venue to cue them, and a short conversation with the officiant who can let them know the last words of the ceremony so they can start. I always tell my couples to hold the last kiss until the music starts, lol.... If the end is going to be a glass breaking, then the stomp and clapping is a really good cue.

This isn't where I'd spend money, though you want to have everything in place. I do a cue sheet (color coded because I'm OCD) that the couple has before they have their final meeting with the venue. It makes things very clear.

No, not unless you are paying them to be! We also had a string trio for our ceremony and cocktail hour and there was no need to have them at the rehearsal