| Children have become a bigger part of weddings | | | | the kids to feel that their views and help were |
| than they have in previous years. There are | | | | important. With four kids it was easy to make an |
| more people getting remarried that already have | | | | assembly line to help out with the invitations. |
| kids or individuals who have children before they | | | | Stuffing envelopes, licking stamps, writing the |
| take their first vows. The prospect of a new | | | | address, anything to make the children feel |
| parent in a child's life is a big change. This may | | | | involved. And any duties the kids could provide |
| make them feel nervous or uncertain about their | | | | helped take some of the weight off of them. The |
| future. Making the child or children feel an | | | | end result was that the children felt more involved |
| important part of the wedding is a key ingredient | | | | and greeted it with near excitement as if they |
| to making them feel bonded and more included in | | | | were getting married themselves. |
| this union. | | | | Children love to be asked their opinion, so |
| There are several roles that children can get | | | | encourage them to give their suggestions on |
| involved in. Depending on the age of the children, | | | | flowers, colors, outfits, wedding music, etc. Even if |
| they can be included as a bridesmaid, flower girl, | | | | their taste might be questionable, people love |
| best man, ring bearer, maid of honor, reader, | | | | being asked their advice and your kids will too. |
| singer, or even an usher. Regardless if you are | | | | Some children are shy or may be resistant to get |
| having a small or a large wedding, there are | | | | involved. There could be many reasons behind this |
| plenty of excuses to have your children dressed | | | | and you should never force a child. This is meant |
| up in a special outfit that signifies that they are an | | | | to be a happy day, and no one needs the added |
| important part of your big day. | | | | stress of a reluctant wedding party. Be sure to |
| Chris, a friend of mine was about to embark on | | | | gently remind them that their presence at your |
| his first marriage to a woman who had four | | | | wedding is important to you, and that that is |
| children from a previous marriage. He never tried | | | | enough if that is where their comfort level |
| to step on the toes of their father who was | | | | remains. Be sensitive to the child's feelings. If they |
| active in their lives, but always made sure the | | | | are not comfortable being in the wedding party |
| kids knew they were an important factor in his | | | | there are always behind the scenes jobs that |
| relationship with their mother. When it was time | | | | they can get involved in. And keep in mind that |
| for him to walk down the aisle with his bride to | | | | different children may have different comfort |
| be, they both made sure to involve the kids in | | | | levels. |
| duties and planning of the wedding. They wanted | | | | |