How are you involving family members in the wedding?

I have seen many weddings and reading a poem at the ceremony or making a toast at the reception would be nice. Also, have the person who is marrying you include them in the ceremony somehow. You can have the sisters do candle lighting or something like that.

My daughter will do family vowes with us and walk me down the aisle... my sisters are BM's and todd's brother is a BM (best man not bridesmaid haha) and thats about it

All our siblings and closest cousins are in our bridal party (we have 6 and 6), but we'll have other cousins do readings and bring up the gifts (we're having a Mass).

I am having aunt's and uncle's come up and light the memory candles.

I have heard the following suggestions:

handing out programs or bubbles/noise maker

welcoming people at the ceremony

doing a reading

"being special helpers" with whatever you need

--If they do whatever you ask jsut make sure to include them in the program..like thank you to all those who helped us with blah blah...and list their names. that makes them feel important =^)

Thanks for the suggestions. I ended up getting busy at work, so was only able to check this thread again now.

My grandmother is performing the ceremony, my stepfather is walking me down the aisle, my two sisters are my bridemaids and my brother is an usher. Oh and my mom is giving the blessing before dinner.

My sister did a ceremony reading. My youngest nieces and nephews were RB & Fg's, the two oldest escorted my mom down the aisle. And my two SIL's just enjoyed the day, along with my two brothers.

but here is a list of ideas:

-MC at reception

-Guest Book watcher

-Day of corridnator

-Give blessing before meal (My Grandpa did)

-Reading (or two) at the ceremony

-Carry unity candle/snad vase/etc.

-Toast to the Bride or Groom

-oh yes, handing out programs was a good idea!

DannieKay, thats sweet. I wish my grandmother was able to do that for me

My mom is going to read her favorite bible verse before our ceremony starts, after the mob and mog walk down the isle but before the bridesmaids. (Im not sure of the exact words, but its something like: Love is ..... exc)

I gave my sister an extra special job. She will be 15 at the wedding and my FH's groomsmen are all almost 30 so i didnt think they would feel comfortable walking her down the aisle(or that my parents would for that matter). I asked her to play a song on her clarinet during the ceremony but she said she was too shy. So instead I labled her my "personal assistant" She is going to all my fittings with me, learning how to bustle my dress, helping out with diy projects, and even wearing one of the wedding colors(bright orange) She loved the idea more than being a bm.

Anyways: Someone could hand out programs or escort people to their seats.

@ Megan, that is such a nice way to involve her.

FS will be talking to sister #1 this weekend to see how she feels about a reading, if she doesn't go for it, I've got some good suggestions now. Thanks.

Aww Shauna, how old is your daughter? Mine is 9 and actually my FH suggested walking with her down the aisle. Makes me tear up thinking about it, but then again I cry at everything. You should have seen me when he proposed! We will be doing some sort of inclusion of her in the ceremony, but not sure what yet.

Recording the gifts, gift table, money box watcher (maybe for a BIL job?);

greeting guests at the reception and giving them their table number and directing them to their table;

handing out programs and greeting at the ceremony

giving out favors;

personal attendant in getting ready & they will also have some pics with you before the ceremony