Whether it’s your first time getting married or you’re remarrying, when you and your partner have kids, there’s no doubt you want them involved in your special day.
Whether it’s your first time getting married or you’re remarrying, when you and your partner have kids, there’s no doubt you want them involved in your special day.
The Little Ones
I knew I always wanted to have my little boy involved in my wedding one way or another. I mean, our whole world revolves around him and not having him as a part of the bridal party just seemed wrong. My hubby considered having him as his best man, and really, we still did on the day even though we did have a grown up best man too. We gave him a big task of being the page boy, ensuring the rings were not able to be swallowed and tied firmly to the ring pillow. It made for gorgeous photos and let’s be honest, everyone loved watching him toddle down the aisle.
The Blended Family
Whether you and your soon-to-be step kids get along or not, this is a great way to wave the white flag and tell them you come in peace. Younger step children may like to help look at pictures in magazines with you, to ‘help pick colours’, older kids can be enlisted in giving their dad a special gift from you and them on the big day. You may also ask them to be in the bridal party as a way for them to know you see them as special and want to make that special effort with them. A nice touch is giving a little gift to them on the wedding day from you, something like a little bracelet for girls, and maybe a nice personalised tie for the boys.
Married
While flower girl and page boys seem like the obvious answers in getting them involved, you may opt for giving the kids a bigger responsibility. If you have a great public speaker on your hands you could ask them to do a reading. A mini wordsmith might help by writing a short poem and reading it or having someone read it out for them. Kids that don’t like all eyes on them may opt for being ushers and handing out the programs.
High School Kids
These are the children of technology, ask for their help finding photo booths (something they’ll love) and DJs or entertainment, use their knowledge to your advantage while keeping them involved. You might ask for their help with playlists for the night, perhaps organising a photo slideshow or even give them a GoPro to get special messages from the guests on the night.
Getting them involved in small ways will help get them on side on the big day as they will have things to keep them from taking the limelight away from you on such a special day with the ultimate tantrum. It’s also a great way to bond with them while getting the planning done.
