How to Incorporate Kids in Your Wedding

If you or your spouse, or the two of you, have kids you will absolutely want to incorporate them in your wedding. But you might feel inclined to include other children, like a god child, a niece or nephew, siblings or other family. Of course you might want those kids to be involved, but before you get your heart set on your 3 month old nephew donning an adorable bow tie with matching suspenders, take a second and think about all the logistics and the available roles first.

RING BEARER AND/OR FLOWER GIRL

Obviously, the younger the better in this role, but 8 or 10 year olds are also a perfect fit. If your thinking the aforementioned suspenders and bow tie and maybe even a boutonniere, don’t be disappointed if your nephew does NOT want to wear said accessories. If you’ve got high hopes that your flower girls will toss petals down the aisle, make sure you ask your venue is petals are even allowed!

BEST MAN/MAID OF HONOR OR GROOMSMAN/BRIDESMAID

It's your wedding... so you make the rules. Once they are 10-12 and up they can very well fulfill any one of these roles. If you have a close cousin, but she’s not quite the same age group as the rest of your bridesmaids, make her a junior bridesmaids. Just as cool.

UNITY RITES

Children, your children, can also participate in a unity rite. They could each have their own vase full of sand to pour, for example. Joining families is a big deal, make sure that you respect their perspective about the grandiosity of it all.

VOWS

Vows traditionally are said to verbalize your commitments to one another, and if either or both of you have children, this commitment will likely spread to them as well. Saying something like, "I will love you and raise you as my own…”, can be a great way to formally extend your love to them.

HOW TO KEEP KIDS OCCUPIED DURING THE WEDDING

Having bubbles, a coloring book and goldfish on hand can save the ceremony from any wailing upset little ones. It’s also helpful to have some activities and maybe even a small nook to keep kids contained and happy. The right DJ will play kid’s hits without making your wedding feel like a pop up circus.

HAVING AN ESCAPE PLAN

If you have kids, make sure you have a sitter or extra help for the night of your wedding. Whether its adjoining hotel rooms or a babysitter at home, you’ll want to enjoy your wedding night, but you also, likely, don’t want to abandon your children.

How are you going to incorporate children in your wedding?

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