including nieces/nephews

Are you having your wedding in a church? If so, you can assign some of them to bring up the offerings (I'm not positive that's what they're called?) such as the wine. My cousin and I did that at a wedding.

We're not, but thanks for the reply

Are you open to having more than one flower girl?

Definitely not, just our daughter. Trying to think of out-of-the-box jobs to still make them feel special

Definitely not, just our daughter. Trying to think of out-of-the-box jobs to still make them feel special

I have 5 nephews and 1 niece. She will be FG, one boy will be RB. The other boys will hold signs

Andrea, sweetie, seriously? You're feeling pressure to integrate 13 children -- 13 distinct, immature personalities -- none of them your own -- into the pageantry of your wedding ceremony? This is me, grabbing you lovingly and gently by the shoulders and saying, "Don't do it. Just don't do it."

Maybe the issue of including nieces and nephews is regional. I'm not sure. It's not something that's done in the suburbs of NYC -- at least at the weddings I've attended -- so take my opinion with the regional grain of salt it might deserve.

There is nothing wrong with having your own daughter participate in your wedding. In fact, my eyes would be glued to her., and they'd remain glued to her if she were napping, fussing, or outright crying. Why? Because she is the living, breathing evidence of the love you and your FH bear for each other, and that strikes a chord in every heart. Whether she's on perfect behavior or acting like the child she is (and if she is, don't belabor the point; have someone who can take her away from the ceremony and calm her) Her cousins? I'd consider them photo-ops. Sorry.

You are under no obligation to make your wedding a parade of niece and nephew toddlers or those of the elementary school set. The truth is that with every child poised to cross the threshold to walk the aisle, their is a risk of...childhood. They may spaz out, they may pick their noses, they may cry, they may hold up the entire procession, they may grab at their underpants, they may throw down their flower baskets. Your guests will "ooh and ahh" at first, but they'll eventually wish it was over (and in your heart or hearts, so will you). Kids are kids. Your wedding is a sacred, adult event. All I can advise is that you make your own daughter the only child of distinction. At this ceremony, she is the true juvenile VIP -- nobody else. Let the rest of the kids get dressed up and sit with their parents.