Fun and meaningful ways to give your family & friends roles at your wedding
Photo: Grace & Mitch
You’ve chosen your bridesmaids and groomsmen but there are other people you’d love to take a special role on your day. So, how do you go about including them? We spoke to some lovely couples that have recently got married and asked them for their advice.
The Ceremony
The ceremony is a great place to add some super special people. Outside of the legal wording you have a lot of flexibility to be creative. Think about who you have in your life that has really influenced who you are. No doubt they will also be the people who absolutely love you and know you the best, so why not have them come up during your ceremony to share some lovely words?
It really doesn’t have to be long, and can be anything from words of wisdom about marriage to why they think you two are just the total dream-team. Maybe it's someone who was privy to a pivotal moment in your relationship or someone who can tell everyone present what really happened. It’s a great way to help a nervous speaker be involved without having to give a speech later on in the night. They get it over and done with, have the guidance of the celebrant if necessary, and get to have everyone’s full, sober attention.
Symbolic Ceremony
If the ceremony is symbolic you could even have a confident friend or family member act as the celebrant. We love how personal and emotional this makes a ceremony feel. Needless to say it’s really important to choose the right person with the right vibe, who can really work a crowd.
Town hall or church ceremony
If you’re getting married in a town hall or a church, the readings could still apply but things are a little more strict as to when they happen. You will also need two witnesses who will be a big part of the ceremony, standing in front of everyone and taking vows themselves as well as then signing your marriage register. Another great role for a close friend or family member.
Master of Ceremony
Even if you’re having the most relaxed and informal of wedding days, a master of ceremonies (AKA MC) is a must. Having someone that can make quick announcements and move the day along, can really help the flow of things. It’s a great role for a confident soul with a loud voice who might throw in the odd joke here or there.
Photo: Grace & Mitch
Welcome Party
For those that didn’t quite make the wedding party but like to get involved and are a super-friendly welcoming face could be tasked with welcoming your guests when they arrive at your venue. They could show them to their accommodation and give them a quick tour of the facilities. The same goes for welcoming guests at your ceremony, you could allocate people to give out the order of service or the confetti when guests arrive.
Little people
If you’re having little people at your wedding you could involve them in your ceremony as a way of getting that family involved. The parents may not have made the cut for bridesmaid or groomsmen but asking if their mini-me’s would like to be a flower girl or page boy is a sure way to make them feel loved. And you don’t have to splash out on anything too elaborate for their outfits, you could keep it casual with mismatched outfits, chinos and trainers for the boys for example. Something that matches the vibe and style of your wedding is best.
There are so many ways for your loved ones to get involved in your wedding, regardless of whether or not they are part of the official wedding party crew. Your nearest and dearest will love to be included and help in any way they can, so don’t be afraid to ask, get them involved and make them feel part of it.
Worried about your wedding ceremony being too hot to handle?
Check out our latest article How to Handle the Heat at your Italian Wedding, packed full of industry-insider tips and tricks.
Written by Lucy White, Founder of La Lista & Wiskow & White, with over 7 years and 200 weddings worth of experience.
