How to help children feel welcome at weddings

THERE WILL USUALLY BE CHILDREN present at weddings, and sometimes they will be the children of the couple themselves.

Regardless of whether they live in your parish or not, or whether you are likely to see them again or not, making them feel welcome will help them have a good experience of church and paves the way for openness to more church experiences in the future.

Here are ten simple ways to do that on the day of a wedding. Use this as a menu from which you can choose one or more things that you’d like to try:

1. If the couple already have children, involve them in one of the preparation sessions and discuss any ideas they might have of being involved in the service.
2. Make a point of welcoming the children in your introduction before the entry of the bride. Reassure families that it is alright for the children to move during the service, let them know where there’s space if children need ‘time out’, and point out where the toilets are.
3. Give each child a ‘wedding bag’ when they arrive, containing blank cards and crayons, so the children can make cards to give to the happy couple later on.
4. You could also produce a wedding-themed ‘fun sheet’ containing things such as a word search, picture to colour and things to spot within the church or service. The Download resource offered below might help with this.
5. Include something visual in the sermon or prayers, such as inviting children to place rose petals or small paper hearts in a basket as an aid to prayer.
6. Create a ‘wedding clock’ – a large visual order of service – so carers can show children where they are in the service.
7. Have a children’s space – a rug where children and carers can sit within sight of the ceremony, and provide some toys and books for children to use. One church made some bride and groom outfits for the teddies that children played with during weddings.
8. If the couple have young bridesmaids, pageboys or ring-bearers, place a marker on the floor so they know where to stand when they are at the front of the church. If a young child is acting as ring-bearer, it’s best to loosely tie the rings to the cushion.
9. Older children of the couple can also walk Mum down the aisle, or be involved in reading or writing prayers for the service.
10. By inviting the couple’s children to stand with their parents during the prayers or blessing, you will be creating a wonderful moment to remember, and emphasising that this wedding marks a new beginning for the whole family.