Nieces and nephews involvement

kristines21

My fiance and I have 13 nieces and nephews we would like to somehow involve in our wedding. We are not having a flower girl or ring bearer. Their ages are, at the time of the wedding: 10 months, 1 year, 1 1/2, 2, 2, 3, 4 1/2, 5, 7, 10, 10, 12, 13. We were trying to think of something creative that atleast the oldest ones can do. Something a bit unique! Any ideas?

zitiqueen

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_ceremony-ideas_nieces-and-nephews-involvement?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:10Discussion:56284e46-d105-4568-81fc-45e54a09f8f8Post:dfe42a23-e1b8-4ab8-a500-0683f8ff3cf2">Nieces and nephews involvement</a>:
[QUOTE]My fiance and I have 13 nieces and nephews we would like to somehow involve in our wedding. We are not having a flower girl or ring bearer. Their ages are, at the time of the wedding: 10 months, 1 year, 1 1/2, 2, 2, 3, 4 1/2, 5, 7, 10, 10, 12, 13. We were trying to think of something creative that atleast the oldest ones can do. Something a bit unique! Any ideas?
Posted by kristines21[/QUOTE]

Caterers.

artbyallie

The smaller children are simply too young. They won't understand what to do or why and won't remember. The smallest three may or may not even be walking! And even some 5-year-olds are not mature enough to handle being in a wedding.

And honestly? That's just too many kids. Get a nice picture with all of them and call it a day because even kids don't want lame made-up jobs in a wedding.

Avion22

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_ceremony-ideas_nieces-and-nephews-involvement?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:10Discussion:56284e46-d105-4568-81fc-45e54a09f8f8Post:7a4e8323-5b30-477e-8d90-265fd0f54fd8">Re: Nieces and nephews involvement</a>:
[QUOTE]The smaller children are simply too young. They won't understand what to do or why and won't remember. The smallest three may or may not even be walking! And even some 5-year-olds are not mature enough to handle being in a wedding. And honestly? That's just too many kids. Get a nice picture with all of them and call it a day because even kids don't want lame made-up jobs in a wedding.
Posted by artbyallie[/QUOTE]

<div>This.</div><div>
</div><div>In my opinion, children under 5 don't understand what a wedding is or comprehend their part in it.  They can't decide for themselves if the marriage is something they support, and really aren't in a position to accept or decline an offer to participate in a wedding ceremony.  So basically, in my opinion, any child this young is really more of a PROP.  And that's not cool.   </div><div>
</div><div>And in your situation, there are just WAY too many kids to try to involve everyone (even just the ones that are old enough).  </div>

kristines21

I know it's a lot of kids. I understand about the littlest ones not doing anything. All the boys are wearing coordinating outfits and the girls are wearing a dress the colors of the wedding. They will all help let wish lanterns go. Just didn't know if I could have the "responsible" ones do something...carry a single flower to the front, carry flowers that will hang next to the rows of guests, etc. My oldest niece is going to escort my gpa down the aisle as he is my only grandparent and lost my gma last July as my mom will be escorting me with my dad. Just was curious of any creative ideas. Thanks!

zitiqueen

Why do they need made-up jobs at all? Why can't they just be guests?

toothpastechica

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_ceremony-ideas_nieces-and-nephews-involvement?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:10Discussion:56284e46-d105-4568-81fc-45e54a09f8f8Post:f8896575-aee6-4c32-a6d6-fdc7a062774e">Re: Nieces and nephews involvement</a>:
[QUOTE]I know it's a lot of kids. I understand about the littlest ones not doing anything. All the boys are wearing coordinating outfits and the girls are wearing a dress the colors of the wedding. They will all help let wish lanterns go. Just didn't know if I could have the "responsible" ones do something...carry a single flower to the front, carry flowers that will hang next to the rows of guests, etc. My oldest niece is going to escort my gpa down the aisle as he is my only grandparent and lost my gma last July as my mom will be escorting me with my dad. Just was curious of any creative ideas. Thanks!
Posted by kristines21[/QUOTE]

Sounds like you answered your own question...they will dressed to match and let wish lanterns go. Thats all they should do.

naomikb

Helping to let wish lanterns go sounds like a great plan.

TiffannieF

I'm an aunt, so I understand how important is to include them.  Unfortunately I just think you are stretching it.  This is the celebration of marriage with you and your FI don't make it a cute kids program.

Take a picture with them afterwards and leave it at that.  Maybe have a "special" dance at the reception that is JUST for kids...maybe when they come up to dance with you and your FI you guys will give them a "present" (like a flower or a car or bubbles or something). 

nancyfikebaker

I have a poretty large family myself and wanted to include my nieces and nephews also.  my fiance and i decided to use them as our ushers instead of the traditional groomsmen doing that job.  the youngest is 9 and the oldest 16 and we are using both the boys and the girls.

kjwest5024

If you want some to pass out programs or make sure people sign the regisrty, that would be something good for the 10-13 year olds can do. Then at the reception you can have the ones ages 3 and up get out any favors that you might have(assuming that you will have them).

I have 4 nieces and nephews so I know were you are coming from.

Hope you can find something that works for you.

LaurenRoseOU

Hi!  I totally understand your situation....my fiance and I have 14 neices and nephews between the two of us ranging from 1 yr to 10 years of age.  We just finished stressing about what to do with the kids this day.  All our brothers and sisters and brother in laws/sister in laws are part of the bridal party too.  There are so many factors to consider: during the ceremony, the babies are at really unpredictable ages and could cry or mess up this super special day at anytime.  Since all of our bros/sisters are part of the wedding, they cannot step down fromm the alter to take care of their child if they distruptive.  Does your church have a cry room?  We are utilizing this during the ceremony for the the kids under 5 who could flip out during the ceremony.  We will have a babysiter in the room and the kids will be walked down the isle by their fathers and put in the cry room.  Also, it is more importannt for my fiance and I to have a wonderful day with our brothers and sisters than our neices/nephews.  We LOVE them so much but we dont' want our brothers and sisters to have to go home early to put the kids to bed or have any of our guests leave early because of the kids.  Plus think of all that goes on during a wedding receptions: cake cutting, first dance, speeches, toasts etc...I just caution you beacuse a lilttle baby can ruin those moments in a heart beat.

These are just a few things to consider.  We love our neices and nephews too.  We are having them walk down the sle, take pictures, and then head home!  Then the fun will really begin!  GOOD LUCK!

BlkButterflyMommy

You can have all neices and nephews play the role of 'angels' in your wedding. You can get small white pillows for them to sit around your altar and also get halos for them to wear. They can all come down the isle first - Good Luck