Your Guide to Your Wedding Rehearsal at Zion Springs

Wondering what to expect during a wedding rehearsal and dinner at Zion Springs?

How can you create a relaxed, organized experience, and who should be there to make it complete?

Planning each detail of your wedding can feel overwhelming, especially the rehearsal. Since 2010, Zion Springs has hosted countless rehearsal dinners, with our expert team dedicated to making each step of your celebration smooth and stress-free.

This guide covers every essential step of the rehearsal, from key ceremony moments to fine-tuning the rehearsal dinner, helping you feel confident and prepared for your big day.

Who Should Attend the Wedding Rehearsal?

Unlike the wedding day celebration, this is a more intimate moment for those directly involved in the ceremony. It is a much smaller affair that affords the couple time to share with close family and friends. There are four parties who should be in attendance:

1.  Bridal Party

Joining the bride and groom are:

• Bridesmaids and maid of honor
• Groomsmen and best man
• Flower girl and ring bearer

2.  Immediate Family

You might include relatives or friends included in this section: 

• Parents
• Siblings
• Grandparents
• Special close friends or family who have a role in the ceremony

3.  Officiant

We can provide an officiant if you do not have somebody specific you wish to conduct your ceremony. 

4.  Ceremony Musicians (if attending)

We recommend that your musicians use this opportunity to practice for the big day.  This familiarizes them with the sound system and acoustics of our setting and pre-empts any issues they might have with getting set up and plugged in.

What to Expect During the Wedding Ceremony Rehearsal

This is your opportunity to clearly understand what happens and when, and what it looks like.  Remember that on your wedding day, you will probably feel a little anxious, so it helps to run through the process a few times in advance. 

Arriving at Zion Springs

On your arrival, park in the gravel area next to the barn and join us at the bar and Cucina for welcome cocktails. If you are staying overnight, you will have already checked in and can walk over to the barn. Our photographer will capture all the special moments of the evening.

Ceremony Rehearsal Overview

As the rehearsal begins, we review Zion Springs' amenities and walk through your wedding agenda. Our events director guides everyone to their seats or positions at the ceremony site, ensuring clarity for all attendees. Sound checks and practice runs through readings, ring exchanges, and other key moments allow everyone to feel comfortable.

Processional Order

After setup, the group gathers in the Green Room, while the bride and her escort wait in the barn. The processional starts with grandparents and close family, followed by the parents, groomsmen, bridesmaids, and, if included, the flower girl and ring bearer. Finally, the bride enters, escorted to her groom at the arch.

Recessional and Group Photo

The newlyweds lead the recessional, followed by the maid of honor and best man, who position at the front for the group photo on the barn stairs. Bridesmaids, groomsmen, and family gather behind them. Meanwhile, the couple rings the barn bell before rejoining for photos.

Rain Plan

In case of rain, we shift the processional inside the barn, keeping the order intact with seating arranged to create an aisle. This setup keeps everything on schedule, rain or shine.

Wedding Reception Rehearsal

Next, we transition to rehearsing the wedding reception celebration.

As guests enter the barn, the wedding party gathers outside for individual introductions, followed by the grand entrance of the newlyweds. Seated at the head table, parents deliver speeches, reminding everyone to keep the mic close for clear audio.

Here you have practice session for your first dance, parent dances, cake cutting, and bouquet toss.

With the rehearsal complete, head to the bar for cocktails and charcuterie as you await your guests for the rehearsal dinner.