Wedding rehearsals

[lavenderfield]

Hi, is anybody having difficulty with getting the ballroom for a wedding rehearsal prior to the wedding day? I have signed up for wedding lunch banquet at Marriott and my coordinator seems to be very unwilling so far to confirm a date for the wedding rehearsal. She initially even told me that she can only confirm one week prior to the actual wedding. Furthermore, the few days leading up to my wedding she says that they alrd have tentative bookings for the ballroom and hence I cannot use it then. I'm quite appalled at this last minute confirmation as it would be difficult for my wedding helpers if I give them such short notice. While I understand that they probably r doing this to maximise their profit for taking more bookings for their ballroom from other customers, I kind of thought all along that it's customary and expected service for the hotel to provide their ballroom before hand for a rehearsal, especially if they have already committed to offering us their ballroom for our wedding. Did anyone have a similar experience?

 

[Wedding Planner]

Was it state in your contract that rehersal is included? Hotels are not obliged to provide you with rehersals as the venue is needed to generate revenue for other events. If every couple want rehersals, then the ballroom will deemed to be used twice for your event i.e on actual day plus a non revenue generating rehersal.
Even if hotel gives in to your demands due your your threats, they will arrange either at wierd weekday timings which is basically pointless as you and your helpers will not take annual leave just for a rehersal.
Lastly my frank advice is this. Just forgo the rehersal as it will only sap your energy trying to fight for it with the hotel. Plus seriously, your guests are not interested to see you marching in unless you think you
are some super star. They are there mostly due to obligation to attend.

 

[lavenderfield]

It wasn't in the contract but I know from several friends that most people do end up having a rehearsal at the venue several days before. It's not to rehearse the March in like a superstar, but rather to test out the AV system , check the laptop and to run through with all the bridal party and helpers what the day's events r so that things can run smoothly on the day. Anyway I did not make any threats but after some negotiation, have managed to confirm a date for the rehearsal already, a month in advance.