Including the Family in Your Wedding Day

Including The FAMILY(s) in Your Wedding Day
by Judith Rivers-Moore, www.WeddingLinks.com

In today’s world you may be closer to your intended’s family than your own, it is difficult to choose who and if any of the family will participate. Should you decide to ask for their participation the following guidelines will give you a variety of ways to include them.

Many couples opt for including family or cultural customs in the ceremony, food music, or garments.

When you have children from prior marriages. After the couples wedding ceremony, then exchange family wedding vows. Rather than vows only between bride and groom, write family Wedding vows that include the children and bride/groom family members. You may choose a special gift or a verbal welcome to each child into the family. This may follow with the lighting of a FAMILY unity candle.

No father - ask your mom or sisters to take you down the aisle or a nephew or best friend.

Readings - Poetry, lines from music, scripture or statements you write to one another as a couple can be read by members of the family during the ceremony.

The guest book, flower girl, ring bears, etc can be addressed by various members of the family.

Music or parts of the reception can be completed by a member of the family. Yes, we've seen grooms and brides sing to one another and some play instrumentals during the ceremony.
Decorations and guest books can be monitered by relatives.

Parents of the groom often will handle the details and finance of the rehearsal dinner.

Tours and fun things to do when guests are in the area can be assisted by a relative.

Getting older guests to the right place at the right time can be governed by an informed relative with the addresses and timelines.