Do you usually have a rehearsal with the couple before the wedding day?

Yes, I suggest a rehearsal, often couples don't end up making the time for one, or it is difficult to get all of their wedding party to attend. I make sure though, we meet at the venue, and go over some housekeeping.

Always and as close as possible to the wedding so everyone is comfortable with what will happen on the day 

I always recommend a rehearsal be undertaken, hopefully with all the bridal party and parents.  This allows everyone to know the order of entrance and exit from the ceremony as well as where the bridal party will stand.

Yes, usually ? well in 9 out of ten weddings. Especially when younger children are involved.  That does not mean you have to go to the venue though, i have rehearsed in peoples front rooms and back gardens. And yes some people do not rehearse because they have confidence in my ability as a celebrant to hold the day together and ensure there are no hiccups

I'd recommend a rehearsal for sure! It's an awesome opportunity to make sure all the equipment is working correctly and also to make sure everyone involved in readings, witnessing etc. feel more comfortable on the big day. 

Also, if you hold the rehearsal at the same time and location as the big day there are a few benefits:

• You can time how long it will take to get to the ceremony venue
• You can get a rough idea of environmental factors (e.g. lighting, wind, flies etc.) may impact your day
• You can discuss a contingency plan with your Celebrant (in case of extreme weather events), and
• You can have peace of mind that all you will need to do is show up on the day, that little bit less nervous.

Also, there may be some minor last minute tweaks that you can make, such as standing positions, the location of the signing table etc. Things that seemed good in theory, but can be made better through practice.

Lastly, if you do plan to have a rehearsal, be sure to ask your celebrant to touch base with your event/function manager beforehand.

Yes, even if they do not ask, I always suggest a rehearsal. It makes everyone more relaxed on the day 

Yes, I always include a rehearsal in my fee.  It is a sure way of making the day proffessional and Classy. I mainly want the Bride and Groom to know exactly what they are doing so it relaxes them on the day and they can enjoy it more without worrying where they  are standing etc.  The words of the ceremony are not used at the rehearsal it is just for choreography. 

To be honest, I find meeting with just the couple at a cafe more effective as rehearsals can be distracting (more so from the bridal party having too much fun). I find the bridal party rush to be a the reahearsal from work and I hardly need to direct them for the rehearsal. On the day I line the groomsman up before the bride arrivs and the bridesmaids are mirror image to the boys. As long as the bride and groom know what is happening (which can be discussed in any setting) then it all runs smoothly from my experiance.

I also find most couples want a rehearsal at the venue to 'time the music' and lets face it, a friend can do that not your celebrant.

The decision to have a rehearsal is totally up to you and I am happy to accommodate your decision either way. I didn’t have a rehearsal per se for my wedding but I did have a catch-up at the venue to suss out things like where the ceremony would be held, where the aisle was an how I would be arriving to walk down it, who would be operating the music and how, where the signing table would be etc. It also gave my bridal party the opportunity to get a feel for the venue before the big day and this helped settle nerves, especially those of the flower girls.

So no I don’t think it is necessary to run through the ceremony from start to finish like a well rehearsed play but it is certainly a good idea to have a meeting in the weeks leading up to the wedding to step through the details and answer any questions people might have. It is also the time that I generally get you to sign the second bit of legal paper, the Declaration of No Legal Impediment to Marriage.

A rehearsal often calms nerves, if the couple remembers one thing from a rehearsal then all is well. It is a time to get the timing for the music, where everyone will stand, should it be around the same time as the wedding it gives us a better idea where the sun will be on the day. Time to go through the ceremony & make changes should they be needed, it is also a time for a relaxed conversation with the couple prior to their wedding day.