Q about others in wedding?

Ms.BriarRose

Besides the wedding party, what other people did you have participate in the wedding? 

I know readers, and since we will have 2 readings, I can do 2 people to read.  But I would like to find ways to include others in my wedding that aren't in the wedding party.  Suggestions?  Thank you!

wicked_faery

guest book attendant. people to hand out the programs...just a couple suggestions..

dibsontop

If you're having mass you can choose some people to bring up the gifts.

kkidd28

Did you already count your hostesses & ushers?  I used my cousins and close friends as hostesses and let my FI pick his ushers.

Ms.BriarRose

Are hostesses and Ushers the same thing as greeters/program handers?  We were planning on using our GM/Best Maid to sit people.

Our ceremony is in the Lutheran Church, so we don't do the presentation of gifts (the Eucharist is already on the altar at the start of worship), and we don't do the Ava Maria (since we don't worship Mary in the same way, we don't pray to her during the service).

I have a New Testament reading, an Old Testament reading, and a Gospel.  The pastor always reads the Gospel, which leaves me two spots for readers. 

I also need a Communion Assistant (in the Lutheran church, you take both the bread/body and the wine/blood), but we talked it over and plan on asking someone in our families to do it.  Since it can be rather confusing if you have never done it or never been to a Lutheran worship and seen it done, we didn't want to throw that on someone and have them get frustrated/embarassed if they mess up.  Since both our families are Lutheran (that's how we met), giving it to someone from them is probably the best idea.

Basically, I have two very close friends who I want to include in the service, but it's too late to ask them to be BMs.  I really want to include them somehow.  My 3 nieces are doing programs/bubbles/guestbook attendant (in addition to their younger sister who is the flower girl and their older brother who is the MOB escort/my closest male relative...yes my sister has 5 kids, and her only request has been to include all her kids somehow; the 3 older girls are also being escorted to the pew right before my mom by their brother).

I did post this on the Philly board, and it was suggested to just let them enjoy themselves, since making them "workers" may seem a little unfair.  I do really like the idea of having them be greeters, and welcoming everyone to the wedding; that way, everyone is greeted with a smiling face and a welcome (and perhaps some instuction on where to go/sit if there is no usher available).  It's something that is done at my church every Sunday, and since we are doing a complete worship service, it makes sense to include it as well!

I will have to talk to FI and see what he says.  Thanks for the thoughts!