Include Grandparents in your Wedding

It is not uncommon to ask the father of the groom to serve as best man or to ask a father or grandfather to perform a wedding ceremony. It is a little less common to ask the mother of the bride to serve as matron of honor, but how about asking Grandma to be the flower girl? That is what a Virginia couple did when the groom's grandmother jokingly asked to be their flower girl. After some thought, the couple asked both the groom's and the bride's grandmothers to serve as flower girls, preceding the bride down the aisle.

Grandparents are largely overlooked at weddings, much like the groom's parents, so why not give them, both grandparents and groom's parents, a more visible role. More and more brides are honoring one of the most important women in their lives by asking Grandma to be the matron of honor, or in some cases, escort the bride down the aisle. If a grandparent or parent of the groom sings or plays an instrument, he/she might provide a portion of the ceremony music, or do a reading. Grandpa might be asked to serve as best man or a groomsman.

Don't limit the members of your wedding party to what is perceived the "correct" age or sex for each role. Rather, include the people most important to you. If you want your brother to serve as "maid of honor," ask him. Want a little boy to be the flower girl? Ask him, but change the title to something more masculine, such as bride's announcer and let him ring a bell rather than throw petals. It's your wedding; make it special by including the special people in your life.