Including Parents

courtneythesquid

My FI and I would like to include all four of our parents in the ceremony in some way.  My Dad will be walking me down the aisle, and we will probably have his Dad perform a reading.  Any ideas for something neat our Moms could do before/ during the ceremony?

tiny speck

You could include them in the processional and give them corsages.

AddieCake

Ditto Tiny. Don't try to create roles/jobs/tasks for people. Are you doing a unity candle?  Don't the moms participate in that?

NOLAbridealmost

Most weddings with unity candles that I have seen have the moms lighting those.  If you're not doing  a unity candle I would include them in the processional and give them a corsage like other PPs said.  

You could also always have both sets of parents escort the bride and groom down the aisle.  

manateehugger

We are thinking about asking our mothers to sign our marriage certificate.

They will also have corsages and be escorted in.

Jen4948

Ask your moms what they'd like to do.  They may have their own ideas about that and would prefer to do something other than be shoehorned into pre-determined "roles."

wittykitty14

FI feel the same way.  We love our parents equally and wanted to include them in some way, other than just being guests.

My dad is walking me down the aisle.  We're doing a unity candle, and our mom's are lighting that.  FFIL isn't a groomsman, but he will be waiting at the altar with FI and the BM (FI's brother).  Then he will go take his seat.  We've never seen anyone do that, but we don't see anything wrong with it either.

Other ideas that I second: Corsages, readers, being a part of the processional, signing the marriage certificate.  Are you having a Catholic wedding by chance?  They could present the gifts.  I know it's not the ceremony, but what about a toast at the reception?

MairePoppy

As a recent MOB, I was happy to be the last person seated before the processional began. I loved watching the wedding party process and seeing my husband walk our beautiful daughter down the aisle. It was a moment that I had dreamed of many times, since she was born. I didn't expect any role in the wedding ceremony. You should consult the moms before creating something for them.

You could ask both sets of parents to walk the two of you down the aisle. The groom and his parents first, followed by the wedding party, then you and your parents. 

If you're Catholic, the mothers could present the gifts (bread and wine) for communion.

If you're Christian, other than Catholic, the mothers could light the unity candle.

The moms could hold the wedding rings and present them for the ring exchange. 

My daughter had a civil ceremony, with Christian elements. After they exchanged vows, the officiante invited the parents up front, to lay hands on the couple's hands as she led a blessing for the new family unit that had just been formed. It was a touching moment and a surprise for the parents. 

MairePoppy

@RetereadBride, I'm sorry you didn't have the experience of having your mom with you for your weddings. I know many women feel that loss keenly  and there's nothing that can make up for it. It may be small comfort, but your mom was there in spirit, just like my grandmother is always around when I need her. 

My DD and SIL didn't make the MOG and I feel insignificant, in any way. It was my preference to watch the whole processional. I had dreamed of seeing her dad walk her down the aisle for many years. The MOG and I had the best seats in the house. The only Grandmother at the wedding was also honored. And her dad had his special moment. I had other special moments that he missed, like wedding dress shopping and the shower and talking about all the little details. The blessing at the end of her ceremony, with all the parents, was very touching.