5 Ways To Include Your Kids In the Wedding Planning Process

It's common for some kids to want their parents to be together. It's also common for them to not be welcoming of their parents fiancé'. That's okay, they may need time to emotionally process everything. As they began to process this huge chapter in their lives they want to know that they won't be forgotten. The good news is, there are a few things you can do to help ease their fears. Including them in the planning process will make them feel special, wanted and heard. 5 Ways to include your Kids in your wedding:

1. Announce the good news to your kids before you announcing it to the world. Be sure to ask them how do they feel. Let them know that you want them to be apart of this process with you. Consider giving them a significate role in the wedding such as a mini wedding planner. 2. Once you break the good news to them and they had a moment to process the information, ask him/her if they would like to be apart of the ceremony. Gift them a proposal box giving them a few fun options, the goal is to help them get excited about the big day! If you and your spouse both have kids, be sure to ask them if they want an important role such as a junior bridesmaid, a flower girl, ring security, bouquet holder, usher. i.e... 3. Take them to your venue walk -through meetings. You can make it into a game or give them a list to check-off the things they liked about each venue, which one was their favorite. As he/she familiarize themselves with the venue of your choice it may help them feel more confident in their role on your wedding day.

4. I think it's really important to designate some one on one time with your child during the wedding reception. As a wedding planner I've witness my couples get distracted, pulled away for pictures and conversions, speeches, announcements, and dances. I often have to run interference to help them sneak away and have a moment to themselves. Setting aside uninterrupted time during your reception is a way to show them that you will always make time for them. Give your mini coordinator a clip board with the day-of timeline circling their one-on one time. 5. Before you rush off to start your honeymoon remind your child that you love them! Be sure to include you step/bonus kids in the I love you and hug session. You can ask them if they would like to give a fairway speech or do a family dance before the night ends. This dance should include the bride, groom and all their kids. Blending a family can be stressful but with patience, love and consistency it will all work out in the end.