Do you have some family members or friends that you really wanted to include in your wedding, but couldn’t fit in your bridal party? Is there that one person that will be angry if they’re not involved with a small aspect of your big day? We have put a list together of various ways you can incorporate your family members or friends into your wedding ceremony. The kind gesture of having them do something small in your ceremony will make a huge impact on that person for the long run.

Unity Candle Ceremony

This is seen in churches most often, but can be easily incorporated into any wedding ceremony. Typically it’s shared between the two mothers; they light the taper candles, and the bride and groom use those tapers to light their unity candle. This symbolizes the joining of two families.

Ring Warming Ceremony

This is when your closest family members, or sometimes only the bridal party, come to the alter and everyone joins hands. The wedding rings are passed among the guests, with the guests wishing luck on the marriage when they are holding the rings.

Program Passers

This is a job typically given to younger ladies, or could be part of the duties of the groomsmen. The program passers stand at the end of the aisle and hand programs to each guest that attends. Program passers are a great addition for outdoor ceremonies, because then the programs don’t fly off of each seat (if they were placed beforehand).

Ushers

If you don’t include your siblings in the bridal party, a fantastic way for them to be part of the ceremony is to have usher duty. They will know most of your guests and can properly escort them to their desired seat. Although this is commonly a duty held by brothers of the bride or groom, it can be any gentleman who holds a special place in the couples life.

Flower Girls and Ring Bearers

One of the most common additions to the ceremony. You can’t help but smile at happy little children walking down the aisle (that is, if they’re in a good mood that day!).

Officiant

While we don’t recommend using a family member as your Officiant, this is a way to make your ceremony more personal because they will help tell your story (with jokes, background information, and personal stories) at the same time they perform the rituals of the ceremony.

Readers

Almost every ceremony that we coordinate has at least one reader. While not necessary, this allows for some meaningful readings, quotes, or bible verses to be shared with the guests.

Musicians

Ceremony musicians are more expensive than you think, so if you have a family member who can properly play (and owns the instrument), add them to the ceremony, and make sure to give thanks to them in your program!

Singers

Only the select few couples are related to someone who can sing well. So, if you have a family member with that amazing talent, take advantage of it because it will make the ceremony more personal.

Ribbon Cutter

If you don’t have a planner, give a younger cousin the job to cut or untie the ribbon at the end of the aisle. It’s such an easy task, yet allows you to include someone who would appreciate being part of the ceremony.

Baby Duty

Last but not least, if you’re a brand new parent, you should definitely include your little nugget in your ceremony! This stroller is a cute way to have your baby part of the ceremony, if they’re not able to walk yet.

-The Effortless Events Team

So, you’ve picked your bridal gown, but what’s next? You have to style your beautiful bridal party of course! Way back when, you saw every bridesmaid wearing the same color, same style floor length dress. Now, we always hear about our brides wanting that “unique look”, or wanting to “be different”. So, we have a few options for ways to style your bridesmaids that you may want to consider!

Matching Long Bridesmaid Dresses

This is the “traditional” bridesmaid dress look – same dress, same color, and all floor length. But don’t worry, traditional does not mean it’s dated at ALL; so many ladies still rock this look today. Having the same dress makes for a very cohesive, clean and classy look. Also, it pulls some extra attention on the stunning floral bouquets that they are holding, because that is what varies between each lady.

Matching Short Bridesmaid Dresses

How glam do these ladies look in their rose gold sequin dresses? Matching dresses allow for a very uniform picture like the traditional look, but the less traditional aspect here is being short, which make for the perfect combination during that hot summer wedding!

Same Bridesmaid Dress in Different Shades

In this picture, each lady is wearing the same dress, but just in different color shades. This bride focused on a blush/neutral color palette. She then incorporated her flowers to pull colors from each bridesmaid’s dress. We totally dig this look.

Same Bridesmaid Dress Tied Differently

This is one of the most common combinations of dresses that we have seen lately. It most resembles the traditional look, but allows the bridesmaids to wear a style that makes them feel most comfortable. Not all women’s bodies are fit for a strapless gown, and some women feel uncomfortable with a dress tied around their neck – it’s all personal preference!

Same Texture Bridesmaid Dresses

We find this lace similarity perfect for a rustic wedding. Even though they’re all completely different colors, they synchronize by the texture, and in this case that texture is lace. This bride picked very similar style dresses, but if you look closely they are all different cuts on the top, which is fun and different!

Short and Patterned Bridesmaid Dresses

Work it girls! How pretty are these floral dresses? Floral patterned bridesmaid dresses are on trend as we speak. Whether they are short or long, they make for a vibrant and fun statement.

Similar Color Palette Bridesmaid Dresses

Last but definitely not least, is having completely different bridesmaid dresses. This overly kind bride allowed her bridesmaids to pick any dress they wanted as long as they were within the same neutral color palette and were short. The one exception was her maid of honor, which chose a lush long dress to stand beside the bride. Following the wedding, this is the most “practical” bridesmaid dress to wear to other occasions, because they don’t necessarily look like “bridesmaid dresses”.

Seeing all of these dresses side by side hopefully will help you visualize what you want for your own wedding. Good luck shopping!

-Effortless Events Team