8 Ways to Include Your Loved Ones in Your Wedding Day
If family is important to you, then get ready to take notes because this blog is going to be jam-packed full of goodness!! I’m walking you through 8 different ways you can include loved ones into your wedding day, beyond the typical parent dances.
Even though wedding days are about celebrating the love and commitment between you and your partner, your loved ones have had a hand in supporting that relationship. And a lot of couples want to honor the people who have had a big impact in their lives! Here are 8 ways you can include your loved ones in your wedding 👇🏼
Before the Wedding
1️⃣ Small DIY projects to help you get ready for the wedding!! Painting signs, spray painting thrifted vases, assembling centerpieces, framing photos, etc. Host a party and have a ton of your friends over and play music and sip wine. 🍷
Before the Ceremony
2️⃣ First looks!!!! Now you’ve probably heard of a first look between a couple, but something that’s almost just as popular is a first look with your dad. Since mom is usually the one helping you get dressed as a bride, it’s sweet to set aside a separate moment with your dad as you’re getting ready to marry the love of your life!
Here are some other first look ideas:
- A father figure
- Grandparents
- Siblings
- Bridesmaids
- Literally anyone important who won’t be in the getting ready room with you
3️⃣ Writing letters/giving gifts!! Gifts don’t have to be reserved for your partner or wedding party. You can give them to parents, siblings, grandparents, any loved one that holds significance to you. And your photographer can capture the moment so you can look back on it!
During the Ceremony
4️⃣ Ceremony officiant!! It’s possible for pretty much anyone to become an officiant these days. As a photographer, I’ve seen ceremonies where the officiant knows the couple and doesn’t know the couple. And I can confirm that the ceremonies where the officiant knows the couple well are those that involve lots more laughter.
5️⃣ Sticking with the ceremony theme – ceremony readings!! Catholic ceremonies will have these built into the mass, but if you’re not getting married in a church, you can still ask loved ones to do a reading at your ceremony! It could be a passage from the Bible, it could be a poem, anything you’d like.
During the Reception
6️⃣ Baking desserts!! People freaking love a good homemade dessert. If you know of a few loved ones who love to bake, this is a fun way to include them in your wedding day!
7️⃣ Adding a special dance!! Apart from the mother-son/father-daughter dances. Are you a bride that’s close with your mom? Surprise her with a special dance to one of your favorite songs! Are you a groom that’s close with your grandma? Make every person in the room cry by dancing to an old classic with her!
8️⃣ And finally – this might just be my favorite. Surprise your parents by playing their wedding song (or songs) during the reception as some of the slow songs for the night. And if you do this, please tell your photographers and videographers it is happening so we can document their reactions!!!!
So there’s the 8 ways to include your loved ones in your wedding. From projects, to first looks, to special parts of the ceremony, to the reception – there are so many ways to include your family in your special day.
More Resources
I hope this helped! Share this with a friend who is getting married soon. For more tips, check out Planning a Formal Exit? Do This Too! and When to Schedule Your Hair and Makeup! And don’t forget to check out my podcast, The Busy Bride.
