Children are a wonderful part of many of our lives, so it’s no surprise many happy couples are choosing to include them in their most special day. If you only have a few children in your life, it is easy to fit them into the traditional wedding roles, but if you, like many others, find yourself surrounded by children – whether they be your own, your siblings’, your cousins’, or your friends’ – you may be struggling to find ways to include them all. Or, alternatively, you may feel like the traditional roles don’t quite fit the child or children you wish to include. No worries! We’ve come up with 6 different roles, from traditional to outside the box, that you can give the children in your life to help them feel included on your wedding day.
Flower Girl or Ring Bearer
Flower girl and ring bearer are those classic roles that most people immediately think of when trying to include children in their wedding. Traditionally, these roles are filled by young children, ages 3 to 8 years or so, but it is not uncommon for infants, toddlers, and older children to get involved as well. The ring bearer often follows right behind the groomsmen in the wedding processional and is tasked with delivering the wedding rings to the best man. The flower girl often comes next, preparing the way for the bride by scattering flower petals along the aisle. While these jobs are straightforward and simple, they can be quite daunting to young kids who are not used to having all eyes on them, so it is imperative that you give them plenty of practice and implement a backup plan should things become too overwhelming.
Junior Bridesmaid or Groomsman
Maybe you have some very special young people in your life that you simply cannot imagine leaving out of your wedding ceremony, but they are at that awkward age where they are too old to be a traditional flower girl or ring bearer and too young to be a bridesmaid or groomsman. In this situation, what role do you give them? The answer is actually quite simple – you make them a junior bridesmaids or junior groomsman. Junior bridesmaids and groomsmen get all the perks of being in the wedding party without any of the responsibility. They are not expected to pay for or plan anything, but they do get to dress to impress like the other bridesmaids and groomsmen, participate in the getting ready process, and stand beside you while you say your vows. Many couples also choose to include them in bachelor’s and bachelorette’s parties when age appropriate.
Usher
Another classic wedding role, the ushers are in charge of directing guests around the venue and escorting them to their seats. This role can be filled by adults, teens, and older kids alike, but it is especially suited for kids and teens who are social, confident, and like feeling in charge. If you have a specific seating layout in mind (such as reserved seating for family or assigned sides for each half of the couple) let your ushers know, and empower them with the answers to common questions your guests might ask. If they are handing out programs as well, make sure they know where they are and where to return any extras once all guests are in their seats.
Chief Distributor
Branding is everything when it comes to kids, and giving them the illustrious title of Chief Distributor is sure to pique their interest. And just what does a chief distributor do? Distributes things of course! Ceremony programs, wedding favors, send-off supplies… If something needs handing out, put your distributors on the job. This is a great role for kids who are old enough to follow directions with minimal supervision and who thrive on straightforward tasks. They get to feel the pride of being a big helper, and you have one less thing to worry about. It’s a win-win!
Junior Photographer
If there’s one thing kids love, it’s taking pictures. “Hiring” the kids in your life as junior photographers is a great way to get them involved, keep them entertained, and make them feel important. As an added benefit, it can result in some incredible candids from their unique perspectives that will help you capture even the smallest details of your big day. You can hand out disposable cameras for the younger kids to use, or ask the older kids and teens to make use of their camera phones. Collect the disposables at the end of the night, or create a shared album or wedding hashtag for digital photos to be shared through. If you think a bit of direction is needed or just want to add extra fun to the task, create a photo scavenger hunt for the kids to complete with prompts like “Catch the bride and groom dancing” or “Take a selfie with your table.”
Train Conductors
Having a couple train conductors at your wedding can be a huge asset! No, we’re not talking about locomotives. We’re talking about the special little helpers who help prevent you from tripping over, snagging, or muddying up the train on your dress as you’re maneuvering around your venue. While this job can easily be done by your bridesmaids or flower girls, making “train conducting” its own role can be a great way to include more little friends in your wedding ceremony. Simply show your young retinue how to lift the train while you walk and how to fan it out while you stand, and watch them go to work. Just don’t be surprised at how seriously your little conductors take this train handling business. For many kids, assisting the bride is the highest honor.