January 28, 2024

Photo by Sandy Millar on Unsplash
This week is all about family and how to include them in your big day! Hopefully in a stress free way for all parties involved.

Photo by Nick Karvounis on Unsplash
First, for the more reserved and less outgoing members that you would like to include in your day:
#1: Do a private first look with VIP family

This is an amazing thing to do with grandparents, or aunts and uncles you have a special connection to that don’t have another role! This is a very low pressure way to make them feel included without giving them an actual task to complete.
Photo by Misho chachanidze: on https://www.pexels.com/photo/women-standing-in-between-with-their-parents-11031087/
#2: Have your VIP family members be with you while you’re getting ready
If you have close family members that are a bit more reserved, you can consider having them come to the place you’re getting ready to help you finish up. Perhaps getting you into your dress, helping with jewelry or a veil, or tying a tie or bowtie! This is a really sweet way to include important people in your special day!

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#3: First dance with VIP family

A beautiful tradition at weddings is the first dances! I love the idea opening that up to more than just the traditional people included. Instead of just parents, consider including any family of major significance to your lives!
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Photo by SLD Photography
For the more outgoing members of your family:
#4: Consider asking outgoing siblings to be in your wedding party
If you are close with your sibling(s) consider having them stand beside you! It would be a huge honour for them to be up there with you on one of the most important days of your life! However, ensure that this sibling is trustworthy and can handle any responsibility that is expected of them!

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#5: Have someone be an usher

As a rule of thumb, try to have 1 usher per 50 guests! This is a great job to give to cousins or teenage nieces or nephews! The ushers are responsible for helping guests find their seats based on the seating chart and to hand out an itinerary if applicable!
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#6: Involve kids in your life

If you have any kids in your life consider asking them to be a part of your day in a special way! Only if they want to. I wouldn’t suggest forcing them to. If they are old enough and enjoy dancing, consider asking them to preform a tik tok dance, or an original dance after the first dances. You could also opt to have them be flower gals and guys or ring bearers!
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Photo by SLD Photography
#7: Toasts and speeches
Toasts and speeches are a great area of the evening to leave to your more outgoing family members. Ensure that the person that you give this task is enthusiastic about doing it! Speeches should definitely not be delegated to someone that is nervous about talking in front of crowds!

How to incorporate family that can’t be there
#8:

A great way to incorporate family that is unable to be there on your special day, is to print a photo and put them on chairs so they are there celebrating you in spirit! This is great for anyone who has passed on, or who just simply couldn’t make it.
Photo by James Schultz on Unsplash