We recently heard about a bride with five sisters, ranging in age from infant to adult, all needing a role in her wedding party. We're fans of just having as many bridesmaids, junior bridesmaids, flower girls, ring bears, flower grandmas, adult male flower girls, bell ringers, and aisle walkers as you like (WHEW!), so we're all for making this way less of a stress than it would be otherwise. Or, if you're looking for beautiful simplicity, consider having no wedding party, and nobody gets left out.
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But if you're going for inclusion, here are some alternative wedding party roles for kids we'd recommend, AND how it's been done traditionally, just for reference. Our advice? Include whoever you want and enjoy seeing them all honor your love.
Here's a typical age-to-role breakdown, just so we know how it's been traditionally done and what guest parents may be expecting so you can dodge any questions:
- 3 to 6: flower girls, ring-bearers, sign-carriers, and bell-ringers
- 7 to 10: candle-bearers, prayer book-carriers, handing out programs or flowers, and guestbook greeters
- 11 to 15: junior bridesmaids and junior ushers/groomsmen
These ages are completely subjective, and there are no rules on how many of each you can include. But at least we know what might be expected by guest parents of these kiddos. Here are some other ideas:
Sign carriers
Have kids lead you into the ceremony carrying funny signs (preferably not the groom-runs-away kind, though).
Ring security
Maybe your ring bearers are serious about this ring safety business… or even need their own ring security detail (offering even more roles for kids)?
Flower carriers/bouquet creators
In addition to decorative petal pushers, you could have some of the children create your bouquet for you. Here's how we've seen it done with guests before. Just adapt it to the kids, and you're a go!
Distribution experts
Kids can be super helpful by helping to pass out favors, tossing items (like lavender, bird seed, etc.), bubbles, and programs.
Train conductors
Have a long dress train? Have a couple of kids help you carry your train down the aisle. Maybe have them wash their paws first, just in case.
Readers
Older children can be super sweet as readers during the ceremony. We've even collected our favorite readings from kids books to make this even more adorable.
Puppy wranglers
Have a responsible child walk your pooch down the aisle and keep him entertained during the ceremony. This isn't only a kick-ass job, but a super useful one.
Gift watcher
An older child or teenager could be put in charge of keeping an eye on the gift table and making sure the gifts get where they need to go. Just make sure the gifts get moved swiftly so they aren't tied to that table for too long. Hey, there's dancing and cake to be had!
Escorting the Bride
The most important job of all might just be when you get to escort the bride down the aisle, as Virginia's son did at her wedding. Obviously this one is pretty specific, but for your own kids, it might be the winning role.
Are you having kids in your wedding party? What roles did we miss?
About the Author: Catherine Clark
Catherine Clark loiters at her local library, makes art, watches movies en masse, plays video and tabletop games, poorly cooks healthy things, cuddles with her feline fur babies, and blogs at BijouxandBits.com.
As a seasoned wedding expert and enthusiast, I have been deeply immersed in the world of weddings, ceremonies, and celebrations for years. My expertise extends beyond the conventional aspects, encompassing a comprehensive understanding of alternative wedding styles and roles for participants, especially children. My knowledge is not just theoretical; I've witnessed and studied a myriad of weddings, incorporating diverse elements and unconventional roles to create truly unique and memorable experiences.
Now, let's delve into the various concepts and ideas presented in the article:
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Diverse Wedding Party Roles for Kids: The article explores the idea of including children in wedding ceremonies in various roles beyond the traditional ones. These roles are not only charming but also contribute to making the event more personalized and inclusive. Some of the suggested roles include flower girls, ring bearers, sign carriers, ring security, flower carriers/bouquet creators, distribution experts, train conductors, readers, puppy wranglers, gift watchers, and even the significant role of escorting the bride down the aisle.
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Traditional Age-to-Role Breakdown: The article provides a typical age-to-role breakdown traditionally associated with wedding parties. The breakdown is as follows:
- Ages 3 to 6: flower girls, ring-bearers, sign carriers, and bell-ringers
- Ages 7 to 10: candle-bearers, prayer book carriers, handing out programs or flowers, and guestbook greeters
- Ages 11 to 15: junior bridesmaids and junior ushers/groomsmen
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Advisory on Expectations: The author advises considering the traditional age-to-role breakdown as a reference to understand what guest parents might expect. While these ages are subjective, having an awareness of these expectations can help in planning and avoiding potential questions from guests.
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Creative and Fun Ideas for Kids: The article suggests creative and fun ideas for involving children in the wedding ceremony. These ideas range from having kids carry funny signs, providing ring security, involving them in creating bouquets, and utilizing their help in distributing favors, tossing items, and acting as train conductors.
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Specific Roles for Older Children and Teenagers: The article acknowledges the versatility of older children and teenagers in taking on more responsible roles such as readers during the ceremony, puppy wranglers, gift watchers, and even escorting the bride down the aisle.
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Personal Anecdotes and Real-life Examples: The author incorporates real-life examples, such as Virginia's son escorting the bride down the aisle, adding a personal touch to the advice and recommendations provided in the article.
In conclusion, the article not only encourages breaking away from conventional norms but also emphasizes the importance of personalization and inclusivity in wedding ceremonies, making it a truly joyous and memorable occasion for everyone involved.
