How To Involve Children In The Wedding Ceremony

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When you’re having a marriage, and have children, or re-marrying after a divorce from an individual, and have had kids with him/her, the question that mostly arises is how to involve the children in your wedding ceremony. If the children are with the individual you’re getting divorce from, then there’s no confusion and you may proceed like a normal wedding ceremony.

However, when you are the sole guardian of the child/children, and decide to marry again, then the question arises. From an unusual situation, they can be a wonderful addition in your wedding entourage; the inclusion of children that is. There’s a variety of things, which can be done to make this special day different and more special. Read on, and let’s see if at the end of it you feel positive about your wedding, or not.

There are plenty of imaginative ways to involve your children in your wedding ceremony. But whatever you plan, do it early. Don’t leave the preparations for the last moment. Sometimes, with very young children, a small deviation from the original plan is enjoyed by the guests. The most common roles that come to mind, while trying to find roles for children, are bridesmaids and ring bearers. If the children are older, like teenaged or older still, they may fit into the roles of maid of honors and best man.

But be sure to have their positive answers on the matter. If they don’t want to get involved in the wedding, back off; just tell them that their inclusion in the wedding will mean a lot to you, and will make the wedding more important and ‘fuller’. That should enough to change their mind.

Remember, that with very young children, it is best to keep everything simple. And also, take them to the shopping, prior to the wedding and give them enough time to prepare. Include them in rehearsals and introduce them to the camera man, so that they don’t get confused seeing an unknown face, clicking their pictures. Some ways to include the children in your wedding ceremony are as follows:

Ring Bearer And Flower girl

This is a very common choice, especially with very young children (3-7 years of age). Be sure that your child will not be bothered by the crowd or other changes, that may crop up during his/her walk down the isle. If he/she can do that, then he/she is old enough to fill the part.

Photo Credit: Blog.jimmychengphotography.com

It’ll be best, and will look wonderful in the wedding ceremony video, if the boy is made to wear a tuxedo and the girl, a mini sized dress like the bride’s gown. But again make sure that they are comfortable in what they wear.

Ushers

Ask your children to act as ushers. They can lead the guests to their respective chairs, and maybe also after the guests are sat down, give them a flower or such. The age for acting out this part would be the same as ring bearers and flower girls; about 4-10 years old.

Honor Attendants

This is the common name given to ‘class’ of the maid of honor and the best man. It is given such, as nowadays the bride is not adamantly accompanied by a bridesmaid; if she has a son (and he is willing), he may be given the post of being her honor attendant. As it can be with a groom; if he has a daughter and wants her to get involved, then she could also become his honor attendant. This ‘post’ is normally given to children with the age group of 10-17; but nothing’s written on stone.

Musicians

If your son/daughter is apt in playing any musical instrument (piano is the most widely chosen), or can sing, they can be allowed to do these, while the bride and the groom is signing the official papers. This would be a very nice entertainer for the guests; and the guests applauding, will make the child feel happy. Teenaged children, or even older ones, can also give a toast at the reception, or give out confetti, etc, to the guests, to be blown when the couple leaves for honeymoon.

Bell Ringers Or Veil Carriers

The children could also take up the act of bell ringers at the wedding. Have them walk up the aisle, right before the honor attendants, or the groom or bride.

If they are very young, they can also act as veil carriers for you. It will be a worthy camera shot, and also, they’ll feel pride of all the attention.

Including them In The Vows

This could pan out wonderfully and the children will feel all important and ‘noticed’. They could take part, in making promises of love and commitment, to the others of the family. Then when you are standing there, read out their names, so that the guests know the families, and the children feel good. You may also include the children’s names in the wedding invitations. The guests will know the members of both the families.

Lighting Up The Family Candle

This could be a wonderful opportunity, for the whole family (individuals from both sides), to get involved in the wedding ceremony. They could light up the family candle, in one single moment.

Official Involvement

Involve your children, officially, in your wedding ceremony, by letting them sign the ‘record of marriage’ (which can be signed by anybody and printed out). For the license, two witnesses are needed, but the ‘record of marriage’ can be signed by anybody. Plus when the officiant introduces, to the guests, you and your children, it’ll make them proud and important, that they could’ve been a special part of their mother’s/father’s big day.

Getting your children involved in your wedding ceremony, can be a wonderful experience. But you have to be very careful in not overdoing the aspects, so that they don’t get tired. Try to keep their schedule as fun and enjoyable as possible, or else they will get bored. While rehearsing, encourage them, never scold; or else you’ll be having a very messy marriage. Also, after the marriage ceremony, see to it that your children don’t feel ignored. You can make sure of this by, immediately going to them (once the vows are over) and thanking them, to make your wedding day special.