Children at Weddings
Children at Weddings. Weddings can be one of the most beautiful, along with one of the most stressful, days of your life. But when you and your partner already have children, the planning process can seem downright daunting. Whether it’s your children, your partner’s children, or any combination in between, how can you make sure the kids aren’t left out when you walk down the aisle?
Important things to remember:
- Include children early on in the process to make the transition between the families easier.
- This is the merging of two families, not just two people.
- Show them the respect and trust right from the beginning and let them know they matter. Brides and grooms can accomplish this by letting the kids have a voice on what happens on the wedding day.
The process can be as simple as letting the kids help choose the menu, decor, music or even get to invite a few of their own friends to the big occasion. They say letting the kids help will make the kids feel more involved and as if it is their celebration too. And, having a kid’s table with fun activities is such a great idea…not everyone likes to dance or wear that penguin suit!
Why do I have to wear this penguin suit?
Another way to get children involved is to give them a role, such as being a bridesmaid or a flower girl.
Roles can also be as simple as letting the kids read a poem or speech during the ceremony. They can also perform a song, a dance or play instrument at the ceremony. Some just have to look cute!
Couples can include children in the wedding ceremony. Some options include writing the kids into the vows or having a family unity ceremony. One great idea for a unity ceremony is the ‘sand’ ceremony. The sand ceremony lets each family member choose his or her favorite color of sand to pour into a clear glass container. After the sand is combined, the jar is shaken to create a unique pattern to be displayed as a unity reminder.
From bridesmaids to decorations, to unity ceremonies, there are many ways to include your children that will make the day special for the whole family, but the most important thing to keep in mind is to use the time before and at the wedding to build a strong foundation between the families.
