10 ways to include family and friends in your wedding ceremony

Including your family and friends in your wedding ceremony will ensure they feel as though they are a part of something truly special, not just witnesses to a special moment in time.

Add warmth and sentiment to your ceremony by including your cherished guests in these ways:

1. Historically, the officiant or Celebrant has asked the Bride’s Father or prominent male figure in her life if he is happy to “bring this woman to be married to this man”.  In modern times, Celebrants are now asking guests if they will continue to support the happy couple with their enduring love, friendship and support.  By asking guests a question during your ceremony, they feel more involved and become far more engaged.  It’s also a great way to keep their attention for the remainder of your ceremony in case the Celebrant asks another question!

2. You will need two witnesses to sign your certificates of marriage.  This can be absolutely anyone over the age of 18 years.  Your options here are limitless!  You may stick to tradition and choose your Maid of Honour and Best Man.  However, you may wish to ask your Mums, Grandparents, or even your children if they are old enough. 

3. Who's walking you down the aisle?  Your grand entrance is a pivotal moment in time, and can include anyone, not just your Dad as tradition may have it.  Perhaps both your parents would like to walk you down the aisle, or your Grandparents, maybe even your children, your sibling(s) or your best friend?      

4. Add your family tree to your service program or on display at your ceremony.  This will spark many conversations as family members recall fond stories of loved ones and Nanna is guaranteed to love this!  This is a beautiful way of honouring your family’s history and remembering those who are no longer with you.  It is also a gorgeous display of the blending of two family trees, as your names are combined.

5. Incorporate cultural traditions relevant to your family’s history.  Be resourceful and get creative with your family heritage and any cultural aspects you may wish to include in your ceremony.  Hand fasting, crowns, colours, numbers, tea ceremonies, particular flowers, the list goes on and on.  I married a Polish groom and a Greek Orthodox bride and we incorporated walking around the altar, placing crowns on the couple’s head and The Bread and Salt blessing into their ceremony.  It was fun, interesting and a true honour to showcase these beautiful historical cultures.  Their grandparents in particular loved every minute!

6. Typically and traditionally, your Best Man is the ring bearer.  However, couples are now involving two extra guests in their ceremony by asking their Mums, Dads, Grandparents, children or two best friends to present wedding rings.

7. Add true sentiment by displaying cherished photos of your Parents and Grandparent’s weddings on your signing table.  This can also double up as a lovely way to remember beloved family members who are no longer with you or who cannot make it to your wedding day.

8. Involve guests with a ring warming!  This a gorgeous and fun way to involve all your guests as they pass your wedding rings around and make a silent wish or blessing for you both as they hold them in their hands.  Eventually, the rings return to the ring bearer who then presents them to the couple for the ring exchange element of the ceremony.

9. Create a comfortable setting and welcoming ambiance for your family and friends by providing umbrellas for potential rain, blankets for cool days, sunscreen and water for summer days and mints for keeping everyone fresh while they chat up a storm.  A rustic crate or warmly decorated box can be placed at the beginning of the aisle so everyone can help themselves as they arrive. 

10. Be creative with your ceremony style and theme.  One fun way to style your ceremony is in a woodland picnic theme with cosy outdoor blankets and pretty picnic baskets packed with adorable goodies to make your guests comfortable.  This can then be flipped into a fun outdoor reception under the stars!

Throughout my years as a Marriage Celebrant, my couples and I have found numerous fun and creative ways to make our guests feel more than just witnesses to a beautiful marriage, but truly involved and part of a magical moment in time.

The end result is an engaging ceremony, inclusive of your loved ones.

If you’d like to explore more creative ways to make your wedding ceremony interesting and unique, contact me and let’s catch up for an obligation free chat about your wedding day.