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Planning Ahead

Running your own rehearsal

The short answer

If you would like to rehearse, we've put together resources here including notes and diagrams to make that easy to do offsite at your hotel or Airbnb. Our Experiences do not include a rehearsal in the chapel. On rare occasions, we may be able to schedule a rehearsal onsite for an additional charge but we could only confirm this when it is two weeks or less from your wedding date. More details are below.

A ceremony rehearsal is really about people and order — and you have two good ways to do it.

Option 1 (plan on this one): run your own, anywhere

Since an onsite slot can't be promised, make this your default. A half hour at your hotel, a living room, or a backyard covers everything — most couples do it the night before, right before the rehearsal dinner.

What to practice

  1. The lineup. Decide the processional order and write it down, so everyone knows when they'll be walking in. Make sure your music lead knows when to change songs.
  2. The walk. Everyone walks slower than feels natural — count two beats per step. Leave space between pairs.
  3. The cues. Your music lead practices the handoffs with the phone that will be used for music: prelude fading out, the processional songs, and the recessional.
  4. The front. Who stands where, who holds the rings, who takes the bouquet, who has the vows.
  5. The exit. The recessional runs in reverse. Don't forget about ringing the bell on your way out!

Helpful chapel facts for your run-through

  • The chapel has a 6' wide center aisle.
  • It's approximately 60 feet from the North bride suite to the chapel, and about 80 feet from the South suite. The diagram below shows both paths and the two ways in.
  • Plan to ring the bell during your exit from the chapel! Do not slam it or it will be very loud. A slow consistent pull is all it needs.
  • There's no microphone during the ceremony — and none needed; the chapel is intimate enough that everyone hears your vows.
Aerial photo of the chapel and both bride suites with the walking paths drawn in red: about 80 feet from the South suite and about 60 feet from the North suite. Two ways for the bride to enter: through the chapel side entrance to wait and come around the corner on cue, or through the front double doors with two people holding them open. The South suite door swings out toward the chapel so the bride stays hidden.
The walk to the chapel: about 60 feet from the North suite, about 80 feet from the South suite. Two ways in: wait inside the side entrance and come around the corner on cue, or come through the front double doors (two people hold them open). The South suite door swings out toward the chapel, so the bride stays hidden. Tap to open full size.

See Chapel layout & seating for how the room is set, and How music works for the playlist your rehearsal should practice against.

Option 2: a short rehearsal at the chapel

We can host a one-hour rehearsal at the chapel for $200 (one hour is the minimum we schedule), only when the building is free — usually in the day or two before your wedding. Because our calendar fills in around your date, we cannot confirm a rehearsal time more than two weeks out: text us at (830) 402-5690 about two weeks before with a couple of times that could work, and we'll confirm if one is open. Want to see the chapel before then? See Visiting before your wedding.

Send it to whoever's asking — this page answers for you.

More in Planning Ahead

Sample ceremony timelines → Visiting before your wedding → Marriage license & making it legal → Add-ons & how to add them → Accessibility at the chapel → Your final two weeks →

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