Wedding Blog

I love seeing children in weddings. As if they aren’t cute enough, seeing little girls all dolled up in fancy flower girl dresses and ring bearers looking more like little men in their tuxedos is absolutely adorable. However, what I’m hoping I don’t see at the Deviled Egg wedding is any of this:

A crier and a quitter Source

Or this:

Source: Rachel Boling Photography (If you want to see an awesome photog blog and amazing wedding porn, you should check out her site.)

Poor, sad little guy!

But regardless of what may happen, we think it’s worth the risk and are having three very special little ones as part of our wedding party. Please let me introduce you to our ring bearer, flower girl and page:

Trevor, 6, Aidyn, 4, and Gavin, 3 – little hams

(And yes, I picked these pictures as a shameless plug for the Steelers!)

Trev, Gav and A on a Steelers Sunday.

Trevor is my oldest nephew and he will be the ring bearer. His little brother, Gavin, (my youngest nephew) will be a page, walking down the aisle right before I do, either ringing a bell or holding one of those “Here Comes the Bride” banners. Aidyn is my youngest niece and cousin to the boys. She is very excited to be our flower girl. I really think she is more excited about the wedding than I am.

Easter Sunday 2008

How could we not have these cuties share in our big day? With all of their cuteness, they are sure to steal the show at the wedding, but I don’t mind one bit. I feel so lucky that we are able to include them. (And I’m even luckier to be the aunt to these adorable little kids!)

I was a flower girl for my cousin when I was little. I walked with my brother, the ring bearer, and I guess I did okay. My mom said there was a moment during the ceremony when she thought I was going to lose it, but I didn’t. I don’t remember much about that day other than using my basket as a hat before I got dressed in my pink dress. In the pictures, (which I can’t find anywhere) I looked a little nervous and was not smiling during my walk down the aisle.

I’m not too concerned about how my niece and nephews will be on the day of the wedding. They participate in a children’s offering once a month at our church where they all walk up the aisles and get in front of the crowd. They all do just fine with that, but when it’s show time on the wedding day, there is bound to be some anxiety. I did a little online research on how to prepare kids for the wedding and I think we are on the right track. It seems that practice is key, and they will all participate in the rehearsal the day before the event. This will allow them to get familiar with the routine and be more aware of the length of the ceremony.

(Miss Aidyn likes to do some extra-curricular practicing for her flower girl role by carrying a basket around her house and tossing petals or paper pieces. I think that her practice rounds may backfire on us slightly because, on the big day, she’ll probably pick up the petals after she throws them, just as she has to do after her at-home run throughs. She explained the steps of her job to me and “picking up the petals” was one of them.)

Another tip is to have their parents close by. With both mothers (my sisters) in the bridal party, the parents couldn’t be any closer. I would like for the kids to stay at the front for the entire ceremony, which shouldn’t be more than 20 or 30 minutes. However, if they need to sit down, I think the dads (my brothers-in-law) will be sitting in the first or second row, ready to rescue them.

And, I think the best tip for having children in the wedding is directed at the bride and groom: Understand that the kids are kids and don’t get upset if they act up. It’s not the end of the world and it certainly won’t keep you from getting married. Monkey business from the little ones can sometimes be cute and memorable.

Are you doing anything special to make the children in your wedding party feel comfortable and prepared?