Ways to Include 2 Younger Cousins..?

Do you have a House Party? They pass out programs etc at the front of the church. Great way to make cousins feel included! ...Gift bearers also works.

Plus, house party usually gets a flower/corsage type thing.

You could also have them do the readings.

Thanks Mrs. H! We have our readers, but we'll have to have someone to be gift bearers, so I think it will be them! I will probably go ahead & talk to family this week & mark this off the list! ha!

Let them be guests. Seriously. At that age they may not even WANT to be 'in' the wedding, no matter how much the adults want them to be.

I do have to somewhat agree with Celia - don't put people in your wedding because other people want you to.

My grandmother wanted me to put my 3rd cousin's daughters in it because they were sooooo adorable. We ended up having a adult only reception, and unfortunately my 3rd cousin couldn't get a babysitter. Oh well.

I'm struggling with this with my cousins as well. I've thought about having them just be guests, but I know that they want to be involved. I guess we will see. I still have six months to figure it out.

Before I decide, I need to talk to FH's sisters to find out where they are at. I want them to be involved, but that's not who they are- oh well. If only all four of these girls were older.

Thanks for the feedback ya'll. I may talk to my uncle & give the option of either gift bearers or passing out programs. & he can let me know which one they will be more comfortable doing! I think I like that idea . @MrsH I am in awe of how people pull off adult only receptions. @MrsD just don't forget that whoever you include in the ceremony will technically need to be invited to the rehearsal dinner!

Also, if they are in the House Party, they can make sure people sign the guest book, they're names are included in the programs, and they can help the day of with the many tasks that will come up.

I just came in to say I am going through the same thing, except my mom has pretty much decided that they will all be wearing the same color.

I suggested they man the guest book table and hand out the favors, take the cards/gifts. There's really not much else they can do to feel "included".

Shannon I totally understand!!! I have 2 younger sisters that really wanted o be part of the wedding but it's going to be super small. I already have my 2 bridesmaids and he has 2 groomsmen...since they are my sisters I told them they can help me get ready in the morning and that really helped! I've been including them in the wedding planning too so they feel like they are part of it. Its important to them to feel included! My wedding is Catholic too so I totally get it

I just wanted to follow up on this & post the outcome. I spoke with my uncle and not only was he up for having them as gift bearers, he was THRILLED they will be in it & his excitement level was much higher than I expected! (He is such a great Dad!) Now knowing that this makes him & my aunt so happy, I'm so glad I took the time to think it through & include them. This was such an awesome reminder that being surrounded by my family on the day means so much more to me than perfection in every last detail & getting lost in the little things (decor, a "theme", making everything Pinterest perfect). Now I have to find someone to hand out programs...

@Rachel Thank you so much that is great advice! I figure if anything comes up in the morning & they want to help, they can be invited if it works out.

I ended up letting my youngest niece hand out programs and bubbles to give her a part in the wedding. She was excited!

Aww @VMDizzle that is so sweet! How old is she? & everything about bubbles to a little one=awesome.

She is 8! The 14 year old I let handle the ceremony music, though in hindsight I should have let one of my older cousins (college aged) do it. I assumed 14 means tech savvy, not totally. haha

I'd let them be hostess, it doesn't require a special dress. They wear the wedding colors and stand at the door (greeting ppl, making sure card go in the box, handing out programs) once the processional starts their job is done and they/your mom/your aunt felt like they got to be apart of the wedding even if they did 45 mins worth of standing. Put them in one picture with you taken before the ceremony (other than family pictures is you have those) and call it a day. It pleases everyone and you dont have to do anything.

Haha well at least he/she got to feel included? Our little 8 year old neice (well, my future niece) is going to be my flower girl. I "chatted" with her about it last time we were down there on halloween & she said it'll be fun because she's "only gotten to do that once before!"