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."

Fancy shoes aren't just for ladies!

Grooms may also find it fun to wear a shoe that stands out in the crowd! The Spectator shoe may be just what he has it mind. The spectator is a style of low-heeled, oxford, semi-brogue or full brogue constructed from two contrasting colors. Typically the toe and heel cap and sometimes the lace panels are in a darker color than the main body of the shoe. This style of shoe dates from the nineteenth century but reached the height of popularity during the 1920s and 1930s.

Outdoor Weddings

Couples planning a wedding are often looking for unique outdoor venue options for both the ceremony and reception. Lakefront, wineries, gazebo, beach, garden, park, barns, and greenhouse are just a few of the locations they are considering. Outdoor photos are generally extra beautiful treasures due to the natural backdrop they provide. Foliage, blue skies, green grass, and sandy beaches all provide a wedding that both the couple and guests will long remember.

Surprise Wedding Entrances

Many couples are choosing to create a dance routine to be performed by the bridal party during the reception. Some are even dancing their way down the isle at the wedding ceremony itself. Couples are simply wanting to become more creative with entertaining their guests and making the day that much more memorable for all. There are many samples of wedding dances on YouTube that may help you put your own routine together.