I have worked with many couples who wanted some personal ways their children could be part of the wedding ceremony beyond the traditional Flower Girl and Ring Bearer. Here are five ways we have found to be both personal for the couple and engaging for the children.

1. The Unity Ceremony

These beautiful ceremonies express the couples commitment that the two become one in marriage.  See my section on these popular ceremony options listed in the Personalized section.  Mark and Karin wanted their two children to be part of the Sand Ceremony by adding their own sand, symbolizing their lives before the two families came together in marriage. This can be done in a a similar fashion with the other Unity Ceremonies.

2. Vows

Sophia and Anna wanted to be part of their Mom, Anna's wedding to Kevin. Anna being the oldest respond "we do" for the both of them  to a series of age suitable vows we composed together. It was both moving for the family and fun for the children.

3. Best Man / Maid of Honor

Alex wanted his son A. J. to be his Best Man, but at 16 years old, he thought he was too young. Since A.J. was not going to have a legal role requiring a certain age like a witness signing the Marriage License it was fine for him to be Best Man. Similarly this can be done for daughters in a wedding ceremony. Skip and Lenor wanted her daughters to be the ones to present her in marriage to Skip. And Kristen was looking for a special role for her three year old Jaxon that would both ple her and keep him close by for his onw ease comfort. 

4. Rings

We expanded the role of A.J. above to also be the presenter and holder of the wedding bands, keeping them in the palm of his open hand while I prayed a blessing over the rings. A.J. and Dad were both pleased and proud of the significant roles they found for A.J. in the wedding.

5. Presenting the Bride

Skip and Lenor wanted her daughters to be the ones to present her in marriage to Skip. So, in full Hawaiian attire they did just that.  And Kristen was looking for a special role for her three year old Jaxon, that would both please her and keep him close by to be most at ease. They found that this in his special  responsibility of walking his Mom down the aisle Into a's life!