It is a blessing to be a part of services of Christian marriage. Each one is an adventure. Here is a story from a service earlier in the year…
At the rehearsal, I usually start at the beginning of the service after the processional, run through the whole thing, recess, process and run through it again. This way there is a familiarity with each part of the service and hopefully everyone knows what to expect. I will not say all of the vows, nor will I go through the sermon.
Often I will enter from the side with the groom and all of the groom’s men. During one of the rehearsals after we had finished the first run through and were waiting to process in for the second time a brief dialogue went like this:
Best man: “So, who is going to be marrying them tomorrow?”
Me: “I will be.”
Best man: “Oh you are? Sweet!”
I was a little incredulous at this question. However, the question was quite earnest and he seemed quite excited that I was actually going to be the one that was doing the service. I do not think that I would want to officiate at wedding in which I was not at the rehearsal. Things went well the next day.
Rev. Andrew Conard 