The wedding party typically consists of people who are the closest friends and relatives of the happy couple. However, there are families that are quite large. If you’ve got a lot of siblings, cousins, nieces, nephews, or besties, you may feel inclined to make everyone a wedding helper to involve them in your nuptials in some capacity. Still, the idea of having twenty bridesmaids and twenty groomsmen can seem a little much. To make sure everyone has something to do, consider expanding your wedding party with some lesser-known roles. With a little creativity, you can make your whole group feel included.
The Groomsmaids and Bridesmen
These days, people are less likely to adhere to antiquated gender roles. Whether you’re in a same-sex relationship or have a lot of friends who identify as non-binary, the traditional “bridesmaids and groomsmen” arrangement might feel a bit forced. Instead, explore the idea of a groomsmaid and bridesman. While essentially the same exact role with a different name, switching things up with a mix of groomsmaids, bridesmaids, groomsmen, and bridesmen can help you personalize the experience to fit the diversity of your circle.
The Juniors
When you’re putting together the plans for a wedding ceremony with children, the roles of flower girl and ringbearer are perfect fits for younger kids. If you have siblings or cousins who are a bit older, however, consider adding them to the wedding party as junior bridesmaids and junior groomsmen. The idea is that they will get to be included in all of the wedding day activities without having to be present for all of the preliminary events like the bachelor and bachelorette parties.
Many people also delegate the task of ushering to the junior wedding party members. While the rest of the party gets ready, the juniors can get all of the guests to their seats and keep the couple informed on how full the house looks. No matter the ages of the kids you’re working with, there are plenty of simple ways to find the perfect roles for wedding ceremonies with children.
The Personal Attendant
On the day of your wedding, you’re going to be overcome with a lot of emotions and inundated with plenty of responsibilities. Having a responsible person nearby to help you with everything can be a true lifesaver. If you have a close friend or relative who is organized and reliable, you may want to see if they would be interested in filling the role of wedding helper. From letting you know when makeup needs to be retouched to providing reminders about which guests you still need to greet, an attendant can handle almost anything.
It is important to remember that your attendant should also enjoy the wedding. If you’re asking someone close to you to fill this role, you don’t want their memories of your big day to be waiting on you hand and foot. There needs to be a sensible balance between assisting you and enjoying the celebration.
The Readers
Finally, there are a few roles to consider that are vital to the ceremony. Whether you’re having a traditional religious wedding or a secular event, readings are usually involved. From religious passages to poems about love and romance, having someone special to you read the words before the crowd can add a truly wonderful personal touch to the day. Plus, most people view this request as a great honor. This is a perfect role for aunts, uncles, and friends of the family who have been around throughout your entire life.
Though the traditional roles of the wedding party offer a number of limitations when you’re working with a bigger group, you can easily expand the parameters with a bit of creativity. With a little time and imagination, you will be able to give everyone a part to play on your big day.
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