Including Babies in the Wedding

Many couples getting married have children and are looking for creative ways to include them in the wedding ceremony. The picture attached is that of my granddaughter who was eight months old when her parents married. We decorated a red wagon with white tulle and silk Gerber daisies. I even found a stuffed Gerber daisy to entertain her while and the ring bearer pull her down the isle. Since her Daddy didn't know her Mommy and I had planned this wedding surprise for him and the guests, the look on his face was priceless. I also attached a sign at the end of the wagon that read "Getting Married" for the trip down the isle. For the return trip up the isle, the ring bearer turned the sign over to read "Just Married". Warning, darling babies can steal the show!

I Do

Trying to think of something creative to use for your something blue? Check out these cute stickers that attach to the insole of your shoes. Imagine your guests surprise when they see them while you are kneeling at the alter or out on the dance floor. They also make a great photo prop. Check out Lesley's other wedding items at www.etsy.com/shop/yourethatgirldesigns They cost just $9.95.

Wedding Wands

Looking for something different to use at your wedding ceremony to celebrate your marriage? Anyone can use bubbles or confetti. Take a look at the wedding wands designed by Myra. Guests wave these as you walk back up the isle after being pronounced husband and wife. Consider looking at Myra's shop on Etsy. She will make them in ribbon colors of your choice and add a bell to help create a little noise too. www.etsy.com/shop/creationsbymyra

Including Your Children in the Wedding

Many couples are looking for ways to include their children in the wedding ceremony--his, hers and theirs. There are a variety of roles children can participate in at the ceremony and reception. Young children can be flower girls, junior bridesmaids or ring bearers. Older children can serve at ushers, bridesmaids, maids/matrons of honor, male attendants or best men. If the wedding ceremony is small, consider having young children join you at the alter while older children can give a reading, sing a song or play a musical piece. The children can also participate in a candle lighting or sand blending ceremony emphasizing the joining together aspect of the wedding ceremony. Check out other wedding element ideas on my website.

Cootie Catchers with a new purpose

Do you remember spending hours with your friends asking questions while a cootie catcher would tell your fortune or provide you with advice? I remember going through countless sheets of notebook paper attempting to learn just who I would marry and how many children I would have. Well, look at this creative origami-folded wedding invitation that gives your guests something fun to play with as they learn the exciting news of your upcoming special day. They can be purchased on Etsy. Please take a look at Melissa's website--http://www.oneLittleM.com

Selecting an officiant

A memorable ceremony is far more than selected words to be shared by two people. The officiant, along with reading the words, is responsible for creating the atmosphere at the ceremony. Some officiants chose dry, somber and serious wording for this special day. Personally, I love to create a ceremony that has energy, love, joy, and friendship as the basis. I believe the ceremony is the heart and soul of the wedding and will most likely be the most personal memory of this special day.

Sample Sand Ceremony Wording

As the minister or wedding officiant says the following words, the bride and groom alternately pour sand into the glass vessel to create a layered design in the sand.

Name of Groom and name of Bride--

"Today you join your separate lives together. The two separate bottles of sand sitting before you symbolize your separate lives, separate families and separate sets of friends. They represent all that you are and all that you'll ever be as an individual. They also represent your lives before today. As these two containers of sand are poured into the third container, the individual containers of sand will no longer exist but will be joined together as one. Just as these grains of sand can never be separated and poured again into the individual containers, so will your marriage be."