I recently wrote a blog post about how to remember loved ones that you have lost on your wedding day. (You can find that and other wedding planning tips here!) Today, I’m sharing something somewhat similar. Here are SIX tips for how to include your family (or other loved ones) on your wedding day!
While your wedding is mostly about you and your future spouse, there are SO many ways you can incorporate the people you love most besides just having them in your wedding party and family photos.
Keep in mind that this doesn’t have to be just for family members – this can apply to anyone that is near and dear to you. Family isn’t just blood, it’s who you CHOOSE to call family.
1. Have Them Help You Get Ready
Your getting ready time is one of the only times of your wedding day when you’ll be surrounded by only a few people! Some couples choose to have their wedding party members with them as they get ready, but I’ve also seen brides get ready with just the help of a grandmother/mother/sister/etc., and grooms get ready with just a parent or sibling as well. If you have multiple people you want to help you get ready, you can have one person help you into your dress, one person fasten your jewelry, and one person help with your shoes and veil. If you have only family members help you get ready, you can do a special first look with your bridesmaids!
2. Family First Looks
One of my favorite more modern wedding traditions is a family first look! This can be between a bride and dad, bride and brother, groom and parents, or any combination you’d like! Having someone special to you see you in your wedding attire for the very first time can often make the day feel REAL and like it’s finally happening. Plus, it gives you a few private moments with that special person!
3. Wear or Carry Something Special
If you have a special relationship with a grandparent or parent, see if you can wear something belonging to them on your wedding day! This could be a groom wearing his grandfather’s antique watch, a bride wearing her grandmother’s heirloom ring, or even just carrying a special trinket in your pocket.
4. Honor a Marriage You Admire
If your parents or grandparents have a marriage that you admire and want to honor on your wedding day, see if they have anything from THEIR wedding that you can use in yours! Examples could be a ring pillow, piece of jewelry the bride wore, a wedding day photo you can display, or items you can use as decor. One of my favorite examples of this is when Krista had her mother AND mother-in-law’s veils hanging in the bridal suite while she got ready! Another one of my couples, Molly + Justin, recreated a photo from Molly’s parents wedding day!
5. Speeches + Toasts
When it comes to who gives a speech or toast on your wedding day, there are no rules. I’ve seen this done by parents, grandparents, uncles, godparents, siblings, and best friends. Choosing people that mean the most to you to give a toast during your reception emphasizes the special relatiohnship you have!
6. Special Dances
Finally, choose someone that means a lot to you to have a special dance with after your first dance as a married couple. You can even have more than one person share this dance! Don’t stay stuck in the box of father/daughter and mother/son if you don’t want to. Who you share that special moment with is up to you!
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I’m a wedding and lifestyle photographer based in Knoxville, Tennessee but available anywhere. If you have questions about booking me for a session or wedding, click here! To follow me on social media, check out my Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.
