How To Recognize Important People Not In Your Wedding Party

Including your close family and friends in your wedding party is a wonderful way to recognize the people who are important in your life and have supported you. Picking your wedding party may be a simple undertaking if you’ve had your party in mind before the start of your wedding planning. However, it’s often impossible to add everyone meaningful into the ceremony. But finding a way to acknowledge these loved ones will keep them happy and allow you to properly thank everyone you care about. 

Traditionally the bride walks down the aisle on the arm of her father. You can make this tradition more meaningful by having both your parents walk you down the aisle. They’ll appreciate the involvement and you’ll have two loving arms around you as you make your way to your future spouse. 

Old friends or distant family that you have considered your closest friends in the past may need a little acknowledgement as well. You can celebrate these people in a number of ways that fit within your wedding plans and relationship with them. Depending on your wedding theme and decor you may choose to showcase photos of you and your partner growing up. Featuring an old friend in a prominent photo or giving them a shout-out during a speech is a great way to give a nod to their importance.

Everyone loves to hear personal speeches on your big day. Having an old friend say a few words about you shows that they are significant to you and allows them to celebrate you in a meaningful, special way. 

Think about your friends' talents! If you’re searching for a way to incorporate an artistic or musical friend into the mix, asking them to be a special performer or to create something unique for the wedding is one way you can show that you’re thinking about them and want them to be included in your big day. 

If you have younger relatives or friends you’d like to include, you can add a junior wedding party to the ceremony.  The role of these junior bridesmaids is up to you, giving them duties such as encouraging everyone to sign the guest book, helping to seat guests or passing out programs will keep them involved and feeling that they are a part of the ceremony.  

The easiest bridal party fix may be to not to have one at all. It’s becoming more and more common for brides to forgo a bridal party altogether. Although this means that none of your friends and loved ones will be standing at the altar with you, it also saves you from selecting the party and being forced to decide who to include. If you do you choose to have a wedding party, your friends and loved ones should be there to support you in any role you give them.