Get the entire wedding party to stand in the positions they will be in once all are in place for the ceremony.

Arrange people in any form you like.

Check to see that everyone is "even" and guest's views are not blocked.

Practice the recessional.

Decide whether the wedding party will go to a receiving line or to some other area while guests are dismissed.

Most couples today do not do a receiving line. It's takes too long.

If you don't greet your guests right after the ceremony, then hide! Your guests will seek you out and your schedule will be shot.

The recessional order is: bride & groom exit alone, then ring bearer & flower girl, maid of honor & best man, & each of the other couples in order.

Usher's then return to escort the bride's mom followed by husband), then the groom's mom (followed by husband), and then any grandparents.

The day of the wedding make sure someone reminds the ushers to do this. In the excitement of the post-wedding celebration, they forget all the time!

After all know where to stand and where to sit, you can rehearse the processional.

-grandmothers are ushered, followed by their

husbands, to their seats.

-groom's mother ushered to her seat, followed by
husband

-bride's mother ushered to her seat

-minister, groom, best man & groomsmen (if they are
not escorting the bridesmaids in), angled to face
the direction from which the bride will enter.

-first bridesmaid in comes to far left, and then
each additional bridesmaid lines up.

-maid of honor enters and takes her place

-the ring bearer comes in and then the flower girl

-the bride and her father (or other escort) make
their entrance

Tip 1: Encourage all in the wedding party to be on time. If you have family and friends who are habitually late, and your rehearsal is scheduled at 6 pm, tell them to be there at 5:30. As you may know, some wedding venues only give an hour for rehearsal and you have to be out.

Tip 2: Work out your wedding preferences ahead of time with your officiant & director. Your rehearsal is a time to rehearse not plan. If you don't have a plan, some well-meaning friend may try to take over your wedding. Plus, the rehearsal will take much longer if you are not prepared.

Tip 3: If you aren't using a professional director, at least select a friend or family member to serve in that role - someone who has strong enough personality to get people moving and who knows what you want & will see to it that it happens. You don't need to be worrying about a bunch of details on your wedding day.

Tip 4: If the wedding officiant is at the rehearsal (only about half the time wedding directors tell me) the marriage ceremony is not read in full at the rehearsal. This should be worked out ahead of time with your officiant. He knows what you want; you know what to expect from him. You should practice things like passing the bouquet, exchanging the rings, and any other movements you might be making.

Tip 5: Take pictures at your rehearsal. It's part of the celebration.

Tip 6: Before the rehearsal is over, remind everyone what time are they are supposed to arrive at the wedding venue.