Autumn is the season of golden leaves, hot teas, and weddings. If you’re one of the couples who have decided to tie the knot this autumn, congratulations! Planning a wedding is anything but smooth sailing. It can become even more challenging if the kids are involved. No matter if you two lovebirds have children together or they are from your previous relationships, you’ll want them to be part of this very special day.

Depending on how old they are, they can play many different roles. We understand that this may get a bit tricky, but don’t let those doubts get you down. With these tips, you’ll get clued about all the easy yet practical tips that will ensure your wedding is the day your entire family enjoys.

Let them help with DIY crafts.

There’s nothing that kids enjoy more than to get messy and creative with arts and crafts. Aside from the entertainment part, this is also a great bonding opportunity. By making them a member of a decoration team, they’ll feel important and happy. The complexity of the task they’re assigned should be following their age.

They could write the table names on cards or add a drawing to it if they don’t know how to write yet. You can have their drawings added to every decoration segment you want. Older girls can make their bouquet or help with the welcome baskets or stamping envelopes. Think about what it is that the little ones enjoy doing and start from that. The final result probably won’t be perfect, but it will be adorable and filled with love which is far more important, don’t you agree?

Make the morning of the wedding special for them.

The day of the wedding is usually very emotional for everyone in the family. Although it’s your day, you should still try to give the kids enough attention so that they don’t feel neglected. Even more so if you’re taking the role of a step-parent on that day. The same way you have probably prepared a loving gift for your partner, you should present the little ones with something they’ll cherish.

By doing this, you’ll show them how much they mean to you and how grateful you are for the new role you’re taking. You can also make the morning special by organising a lovely breakfast. Starting a day like this will pave the path for the rest of it to go even better.

Include them in the unity ceremony.

Although there are plenty of different types of unity ceremony, they all convey the same message. It expresses the coming of two families into one. It’s a very simple yet very powerful idea. A sand ceremony is one of the most popular ones. Each person takes different coloured sand and they take turns pouring it into one vessel. The layers of colours express the unity of the entire family.

It can also become the most precious souvenir if you’re tying the knot on a beach at some romantic destination. If you’ve chosen Southeast Asia for your special day, professionals like those from Your Bali Wedding or some other company will help you customise your wedding and make the sand ceremony truly memorable experience. Aside from this one, there is also a unity candle ceremony and a ring ceremony. You can also think of something unique that the whole family will enjoy and cherish.

Write their names in your vows.

Writing your wedding vows may sound like a piece of cake, but some people have a really hard time expressing their thoughts and emotions on a piece of paper. If this happens to you, don’t panic. Just follow the general rule of thumb is to keep it simple and be honest. When writing your vows, don’t forget to mention the kids.

This is probably the easiest way to include them in your wedding.

Add some nice words about the little ones, it will mean the world to them, knowing that they are a precious part of your special day and all the days to come. Saying the words is wonderful on its own, but you can also make them more than that. You can engrave your vows on a special board or make a lovely decorated print you can frame later on and hang on the wall of your bedroom or your children’s room. It will be a lovely memory to cherish for a lifetime.

Go to the cake tasting together.

A wedding cake is probably one of the most important parts of the ceremony. So, if you want to include your children in your wedding, it means you should include them in the process of choosing the right cake. Take them to the cake tasting and let them express their opinion. Aside from indulging in delicious bites, they will be your honest advisor.

However, if their choice differs greatly from yours, let it be. Since most wedding cakes have more layers, let them choose one. Showing them how much you value their opinion will make them feel special and loved. Also, you can feature them on the family cake topper. Personalised cake topper for each member of the family is something that will make the guests smile and it will be something you’ll treasure as a family. If you’re concerned about the budget, don’t worry. These kinds of toppers can be done without a splurge and you can always have the kids make their own if they’re old and skilled enough.

Final thoughts

Perhaps the most important tip we can give you is to have fun. When it comes to children, they can be full of surprises. Be prepared for the unexpected and try to remain calm. Focus on the important things like having your friends and family around to celebrate your love. Don’t sweat the small stuff and keep a smile on your face.