Most ministers require you and your wedding party to have a rehearsal in order to make sure things go smoothly on the day of the wedding. Be sure to have your wedding thoroughly planned with the officiate a few weeks before the rehearsal is to take place. It is sometimes helpful in lengthier ceremonies to write out instructions on index cards for each attendant. In shorter ceremonies, the rehearsal itself should fully prepare the members of the wedding party for their duties. If you have access to the ceremony site in advance, you can use masking tape to indicate where each person should stand. Be sure to remove the tape promptly after the practice is over. Rehearsals are generally held the night before the wedding, often followed by a dinner for the wedding party and immediate family. For more information on rehearsals, contact your minister or wedding consultant.