Rehearsal

I think it's a regional thing. I'm in South Carolina and all southern weddings I've been in, the bride has had a stand-in (all of those weddings being Christian, Caucasian brides).

I'm from the south and this is my second wedding. I had a stand in the first time. The older ladies in the church almost had a heart attack when I got ready to walk down the aisle with my dad. I stood back and was able to see everything which helped me.

I've definitely never heard of this!

But then....how would you rehearse?

I have heard of it. I will have a stand in. All the weddings I've been in they had a stand in

That sounds like a terrible thing!

I've seen this, but never knew the reasoning why. I'd like to actually rehearse with everyone else. And I don't plan on having any extra people there, unless someone in thr wedding party brings their partner.

@E&E - There's not much rehearsing that needs to be done. Most people have been to a wedding and know how it works. The main thing that has to be rehearsed is the bridal party knowing when to walk down the aisle and where to stand. I've never seen the officiant go through every single word of the ceremony at a rehearsal, but you're standing there the whole time watching. It's not like you're at the back of the church/aisle without hearing what's going on.

For instance, my close friend and DH's cousin was there because she was close family, and she was my stand-in. She walked down the aisle with my dad and I stood right at the front row of chairs to see how it would look with the whole bridal party (including "me") standing there. As the officiant was talking about the order of things, I was right there for him to talk to. It's just the idea of not being ushered down the aisle by your father and back up by FH before the actual wedding takes place.

As I said, definitely not necessary. Just another old wive's tale that some cultures/regions follow. It wasn't even a thought for me. I just always knew I'd have a stand-in, because that's the way I've always seen it done.

African American