Your kids are a huge part of your life — of course, you want them to be a part of your big day! Whether you and your partner already have children together or you have kids from previous relationships, there are lots of ways to get them involved.
You may have already had this in mind — it’s a wedding tradition for a reason!
If you’re doing any sort of DIY crafts or decorations for your wedding, consider asking your kids to help out. This doubles as a fun way to spend time together before the wedding.
Can a child walk you down the aisle? Of course! There’s no rule that parents have to walk you down the aisle. This is an especially meaningful way to include older kids in your wedding.
You’re probably already planning to exchange bride and groom gifts the morning you say “I do.” Why not get something special for the kids to open as well?
Your wedding party should include the people who mean the most to you. Traditions aside, your children definitely fit the bill.
There are plenty of ways to include your children in your wedding long before the ceremony. Children of any age will feel excited to come along to your cake testing. And they’ll be thrilled to tell guests they helped pick the cake!
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While you’re reaffirming your commitment to your partner, consider taking a moment to remind your kids how much you value your relationship with them as well. This is a nice touch for any ceremony, whether you and your partner have children together or you are blending your families.
Lots of couples with children include a unity ceremony on their big day. You might choose to do a more traditional candle-lighting ceremony, but there are other options if you want to get creative. Maybe you can pour different colors of sand into a vase that you can keep in your home to remember the day for years to come.
Before the wedding, touch base with your photographer about any special moments you want them to capture. For example, you could set aside a moment to do a first-look reveal with your kids. You’ll never want to forget the moment they first see you before the wedding — it’s when things start to seem real!
Whether you’re putting together a playlist for a DJ or compiling a list of requests for a band to perform, you should try to include a few picks your children will enjoy. As a bonus, you can have a dance party with your kids to relieve some of the wedding planning stress.
A wedding website is a great way to keep your guests in the know, especially if you have people coming from out of town. Have your kids help you think of some suggestions for fun things guests can do while they’re visiting.
Ask your kids to help you put gift bags together for your guests. Even young children can help with this task, and they’ll love spending that time with you.
Whether or not your reception includes the traditional dances with your own parents, see if your kids would like to have a dance of their own. This is a memorable way to include your children in your wedding reception.
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Make a fun day out of shopping for your children’s outfits for the ceremony. Let them try on a few outfits they choose and then get lunch together as a family.
Disposable cameras are great for young kids. You might consider instant cameras if your children are older. Even if they have smartphones, your kids will have more fun with cameras — and you can make a scrapbook together after the wedding.
Whether or not the adults will sip alcoholic drinks during your reception, you should make sure the kids have something special to drink, too! A wedding is a perfect occasion to let them indulge in something sweet.
While we’re on the topic of drinks, consider taking a moment to have a special toast for your children. They’ll love knowing you’re thinking of them.
Having some kid-friendly food at the reception is important, especially if your guest list includes other children besides your own. Let your kids choose some of their favorites.
If your kids are older, see if they’d like to help put addresses on the invitations. Alternatively, you could make custom stamps with family pictures.
Before you and your partner make things official, set aside one last night to spend with your children. Watch one of their favorite movies, enjoy a few snacks and let them know you’ll always have time for them.
For indoor and outdoor weddings in Central Pennsylvania, Colonial Golf and Tennis Club has several options for you and your partner to choose from. We provide the whole package — including onsite catering — to make planning your wedding a breeze. Contact us today to see how we can make your big day even more special and find ways to include your kids in your wedding.