Including my stepfather

nmancone

Good Morning All!

I am getting married in a little over a year and we're having a non-religious ceremony immediately followed by the reception.  I'm trying to think of ways to incorporate my step-father somehow, but through the traditional route of walking down the aisle or father-daughter dance.

I love my stepfather and he is so great to my mom and has always been good to me and my siblings (helping us move, very supportive, etc.), but they met and married after I was already out of the house.  I've always had a good relationship with my dad and he is the one I want to walk me down the aisle. 

Ideas on how I can include my stepfather in some way?

bleve0821

If you're trying to find a way to include him in the ceremony, consider having him do a reading. Readings don't have to be religious; we had two literary readings as part of our ceremony.

pinkcow13

Are you having programs? If so include his name in them. Maybe have him escort your mother down the aisle? Or do a reading like PP mentioned above. 

aurianna

pinkcow13 said:

Are you having programs? If so include his name in them. Maybe have him escort your mother down the aisle? Or do a reading like PP mentioned above. 

That's what we did. My step-dad was listed in the program with the other people in the processional and he's the one that walked my mom down the aisle.

If you don't think your dad would mind, halfway through the father-daughter dance (if you're having it) you could switch partners to your step-dad?
Alternatively find out his favorite dancing song, have the DJ/band play it, and have a dance with him during the reception (though I wouldn't make it a spotlight dance because your tally would start getting excessive. Though the DJ could say something like, "everyone join bride and her step-dad on the dance floor" to call him out if you think it's necessary)
You could get a formal photo taken with him.
You could just write him a really nice note about how much he means to you and thank him for taking such good care of your mother and give it to him during the RD (or whenever you'll be doing parent and/or bridal party gifts).

holyguacamole79

I've seen the dad / step dad switch during the father daughter dance and really liked it (assuming both dad & step dad are cool with it)

nmancone

Thank you all for your responses!  I appreciate the input