Incorporating Adult Children in Your Wedding
In today’s world, there’s really no such thing as “traditional” or “standard” in terms of weddings and families. People get married or remarried at all ages and stages of life, and families can look all kinds of different ways. With that said, if you’re getting married in Maui, a popular wedding locale that has literally seen it all, and you have fully-grown kids of your own, know that it’s perfectly fine to incorporate them into the wedding. In fact, it’s become so common that there are many tried-and-true options for doing so.
The Giveaway
Though many people find the custom a bit outdated, it’s still common for the father of the bride to “give the bride away” during the ceremony. If you’re going to incorporate this custom into your own wedding, why not flip the script a bit? Have a grown son or daughter do the job. And, remember, grooms can get “given away” too if you prefer.
The Toastmaster
Incorporating adult kids into the reception is often easier and more comfortable than incorporating them into the wedding ceremony itself. Thus, consider asking your adult offspring to be the toastmaster at your reception. They’ll get to deliver the first meaningful speech, invite others to speak, and then orchestrate what happens from there.
Special Skills
Finally, if your child has a special, wedding-friendly talent, ask them to use it on your big day. Maybe your grown son serves as a photographer or videographer. Or, perhaps your daughter designs your dress or can sing a special song. Whatever the case may be, using your child's talents is a great way to get them involved in the wedding and to save some money too. Talk about a win-win!
Remember, it’s okay if your family isn't’ entirely traditional. It’s also okay to get married when you already have children, including adult ones. Just find unique ways to incorporate them into the wedding so that everyone feels comfortable and meaningful on your most special of days. Also, ensure your adult child knows about the role and is happy with it in order to avoid hurt feelings or other problems on what should be a joyous occasion.
