Need ideas so you can include your future sister-in-law in your wedding? This is the post for you!
Now, I think we can all recognize that every situation is different when it comes to sisters-in-law (and yes, that is the correct pluralization of the title sister-in-law). Some engaged people are going to be really close to their sister-in-law, maybe even friends with her before they met their partner. Others are dealing with a stranger, perhaps someone they met over zoom a time or two, or not at all. And, there’s everything in between.
The key with acknowledging all of these scenarios is that when it comes to including your future sister-in-law in your wedding, you will need options. You get to choose which options are right for you based on how close you are to your future sister-in-law. The closer you are, the closer you may want her to be to the wedding. The more distant, the more you may want to include her, but not that much.
15 Ways To Include Your Future Sister-in-Law in Your Wedding
This post is going to give you fifteen ways to include your future sister-in-law in your wedding. They are meant for you to help grow closer to your sister-in-law, as the two of you will officially be “family” soon. Depending on your future sister-in-law, she may be into your wedding, or she may not be. She may decline being included, but that is a post for another day. The point here is that you’re offering to include her, and getting creative with how.
Let’s get into it!
1. ASK YOUR FUTURE SISTER-IN-LAW TO BE A BRIDESMAID
Let’s start with the most obvious way to include your future sister-in-law in your wedding. Ask her to be a bridesmaid.
Being a bridesmaid in someone’s wedding is a bonding experience. It feels good. It’s an honor. And, it’s surely an opportunity to bring you and the sister-in-law closer. She will get to know your friends, work with you, and experience your wedding from the “inside”. If you are having a wedding party, and think she’d appreciate the invite to be a bridesmaid, go for it.
Need tips on bridesmaids proposals? This is the post for you!
2. ASK HER TO OFFICIATE
Is your future sister-in-law good with public speaking? Does she have a calming or authoritative presence? If so, you could ask her to officiate.
Becoming an officiant isn’t difficult. In fact, it’s free. And, when it comes to what to say at the wedding, you can help plan it with or for your future sister-in-law. Simply give her a script, or suggestions, and feel good about asking her to participate in this way.
3. GO OVER YOUR WEDDING PLANS WITH HER
In other posts about including various family members in your wedding, I often suggest just going over wedding plans with them.
Future sisters-in-law are no exception.
If you want to include her, let her know what the plans are. No, you don’t need to ask for, or take, advice. But you can talk about decisions you’ve made and what the basic plan is, so far. Just simply filling her in can make her feel included.
4. DELEGATE A DECISION TO YOUR FUTURE SISTER-IN-LAW
Want to go one step further to include your future sister-in-law, other than just telling her about the wedding?
Ask her to make a decision for you.
I’m serious. Narrow down your choices to a couple that you’re good with, and ask her to decide.
This can be about literally anything wedding related. The photographer you should go with. The kind of dessert you should serve. What music you will play, and when. Asking her to choose for you will help you, and include her.
5. ASK HER FOR WEDDING ADVICE
You knew I was going here, right?
Ask your future sister-in-law for wedding advice.
Okay, maybe she’s not a great planner. Perhaps she really doesn’t care about the wedding at all. Or, maybe she’s the type to go overboard with advice. Still, ask her if you want to include her. Maybe get specific with the advice, and make it about something you know she’ll enjoy. And, as a follow up to this tip, actually take the advice.
6. INCLUDE YOUR FUTURE SISTER-IN-LAW WITH DIY PROJECTS
Does your future sister-in-law have some crafty skills? If so, ask her to help with DIY projects.
Now, of course, there’s a wide range with this. Maybe she can design your bridal shower thank you cards in Canva. Maybe she can make a whole wedding gown. Perhaps your future sister-in-law can help put together favors, or help you paint an arbor. If you think she’ll be open to it, ask her to help. Working on a project with her can help the two of you grow closer, and include her.
Need tips on DIY projects? This is the post for you!
7. INVITE HER TO JOIN YOU WHEN YOU PICK OUT YOUR GOWN
Have you ever gone with a bride as she picks out her wedding gown? It’s a whole experience.
And it’s a good one.
So, invite your future sister-in-law to join as you try on gowns. If she can be there in person, awesome. If not, see if someone can get her on Facetime so she can see what’s going on. Being there while the bride tries on gowns, decides what she likes and doesn’t like, and finally chooses the right one is a bonding experience for all involved.
8. GO WITH HER AS SHE PICKS OUT AN OUTFIT FOR YOUR WEDDING
Conversely, you can go shopping with your future sister-in-law as she chooses what she will wear to your wedding.
Of course, if she is a bridesmaid, picking out an outfit with her may come with the territory. However, if she is just attending the wedding, shopping can still be fun. Even if it’s virtual online shopping, the two of you can look over outfits, colors, and talk about what would look best on her. See if she wants your input, and have fun with it.
9. INVITE YOUR FUTURE SISTER-IN-LAW TO YOUR BRIDAL SHOWER
Is someone throwing you a bridal shower? Be sure to invite your future sister-in-law.
Better yet. Have the shower scheduled around your sister-in-law’s availability. No, she’s not the only important guest invited. But, an effort should be made to make sure she can make it. If she lives far away, or is a super busy person, it may be more difficult to ensure she can come. So, make an effort just in case.
10. ASK YOUR FUTURE SISTER-IN-LAW TO PLAN PART OF YOUR BACHELORETTE
Beyond just inviting your future sister-in-law to your bridal shower, why not ask her to plan part of your bachelorette? It’s a step past just inviting her to join.
I mean, give her a task. Or, have your maid of honor give her one. Maybe she makes reservations for dinner. Perhaps she’s in charge of decorations, or chooses the hotel. It doesn’t matter. As long as she’s involved in the actual planning, she’s included.
11. INVITE HER TO JOIN YOU AS YOU GET READY FOR YOUR WEDDING
Spending the morning with a bride as she gets ready for her wedding day is a special morning.
Every single time.
I mean, emotions are high. There’s stress. Maybe there’s some drama. But there’s also a lot of excitement. It’s organized chaos, for the most part. If done right, it’s fun. So invite your future sister-in-law to join. Have her get ready with everyone else. Join in on the chaos and fun, and get to know all your other special people, too.
Need tips for the morning of your wedding? This is the post for you!
12. HAVE HER ENTER THE CEREMONY WITH THE REST OF THE PROCESSIONAL
Do you have your wedding processional planned out? If not, think about how to include your future sister-in-law in it.
Now, I’ve written about traditional wedding processionals before. And, I mean, if you are having a traditional wedding and your future sister-in-law is not a bridesmaid, you may feel like you can’t make a space for her in yours. However, you can do whatever you want. Maybe have her walk in with her parents. Or right after the officiant. Or grandparents. Do what feels right, and give her an honored spot. She’s family, after all.
13. ASK HER TO DO A READING AT YOUR WEDDING
Asking someone to do a reading at your wedding is both an honorable and a simple task. If you think your future sister-in-law will be open to it, and she’s not already involved in your wedding ceremony, ask her to read something.
The reading doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be a Bible verse. A poem. Even a letter that you and your future spouse have written to each other. Really anything can be memorable, appropriate, and sweet. See if what she says if you think it’s the right way to include her.
14. GIVE YOUR FUTURE SISTER-IN-LAW A GIFT AT YOUR WEDDING
Some people getting married think all the gifts are for them. I’m not of that school of thought.
Many people getting married give gifts. They give them to their wedding parties. Their friends who helped. And, their families. Giving a gift to your future sister-in-law is more than just a thank you or an extravagant favor. It’s a token of appreciation and sign that she’s important to you and your marriage.
Need ideas for gifts? Check out this post!
15. ASK HER TO SIGN YOUR MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE
Final way to include your future sister-in-law in your wedding. Ask her to sign your marriage certificate.
Most people will need two witnesses to sign their marriage certificate. These witnesses can be anyone who is a legal adult. At my wedding, the witnesses were my friend, who was my maid of honor, and my brother. The reason we chose them is because they were with us at the end of the night and, honestly, we needed signatures.
You can plan ahead, though. Ask your future sister-in-law to sign your marriage certificate after the ceremony, or even during it. She’ll be honored for sure.
THOUGHTS ON INCLUDING YOUR FUTURE SISTER-IN-LAW IN YOUR WEDDING
Friends, there are so many ways to include your future sister-in-law in your wedding. It’s all about finding the right ones for your wedding, and your sister-in-law. No matter how far away she lives, or how involved, or not, she wants to be, there’s bound to be ways to include her that she will appreciate. You’ve got this! Happy wedding planning!
More On Family From Hummingbird Wedding Advice
14 Low Risk Wedding Planning Tasks To Delegate To Your Friends & Family
How To Deal With Family Drama Around Your Wedding
Tips For Asking Family To Help Pay For Your Wedding
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