Roles for children during DW ceremony?

I haven't really seen this addressed in any threads, so here goes...

I am very lucky to have 7 very special little people in my life...2 nieces (ages 6 and 10) and 5 nephews (ages 3.5, 7, 8 and 12).  The girls will serve as flower girls (throwing petals down the aisle), my FI's 17 year old daughter will be bringing the ring bowl with rings down the aisle...but I'd like to find some really clever ways/opportunities to incorporate the three older nephews for sure, if not all 4 boys (IF, indeed, they'd like to do so).  We are not having any adults in our wedding party.  I've thought about having the boys bringing shell pomanders down which they would hang off a shepherd's hook or we would incorporate into the arch...still thinking on that one.  The two older boys could do readings, but I would want the content/sentiment to be as relevant and meaningful to them as it would be to us and everyone else there.  Does that make sense?  I guess I just don't want a 12 year old to be reading a poem or something and have no concept of what he's reading.  It would be great to find a reading/poem that talks about love and family that sounds "age appropriate" for the child reading it.

Anyway, I would love to hear of some really creative ways of incorporating children into a wedding ceremony beyond the typical roles of "flower girl" and "ring bearer"...

Wow, this is a great topic!

I only had 2 boys, 4 and 6, in my wedding. They carried ring bearer pillows (not the actual rings though) and walked down the aisle with their respective adults. Every child is different, but I wasn't sure that my 2 loony nephews would be able to perform on cue.

Perhaps the 3 and 7 year old could each accompany one of the girls down the aisle. The older boys can probably take on roles with a little more responsibility. You mentioned an age appropriate reading. They each may be able to do one. This site has an excerpt from Velveteen Rabbit which may work for the 12 year old, and one from Winnie the Pooh, which may work for the 8 year old. http://elainewalker.suite101.com/childrens-readings-for-weddings-a44905.html

I also think it may be sweet to have one of the kids sign the ceremony certificate as your witness. Of course this all depends on the dynamics of the others involved in your wedding ceremony.

Originally Posted by MJKH 

 

I haven't really seen this addressed in any threads, so here goes...

 

I am very lucky to have 7 very special little people in my life...2 nieces (ages 6 and 10) and 5 nephews (ages 3.5, 7, 8 and 12).  The girls will serve as flower girls (throwing petals down the aisle), my FI's 17 year old daughter will be bringing the ring bowl with rings down the aisle...but I'd like to find some really clever ways/opportunities to incorporate the three older nephews for sure, if not all 4 boys (IF, indeed, they'd like to do so).  We are not having any adults in our wedding party.  I've thought about having the boys bringing shell pomanders down which they would hang off a shepherd's hook or we would incorporate into the arch...still thinking on that one.  The two older boys could do readings, but I would want the content/sentiment to be as relevant and meaningful to them as it would be to us and everyone else there.  Does that make sense?  I guess I just don't want a 12 year old to be reading a poem or something and have no concept of what he's reading.  It would be great to find a reading/poem that talks about love and family that sounds "age appropriate" for the child reading it.

 

Anyway, I would love to hear of some really creative ways of incorporating children into a wedding ceremony beyond the typical roles of "flower girl" and "ring bearer"...

I love that you started this thead. Great topic! What about children's roles in AHR?

There is a thread called wedding know it all some where on this site. It is great. There is a section on children in weddings. It forwards you to about.com. You might be able to find what you are looking for there.