Need ways to include your grandparents in your wedding? This post has you covered.
I have to admit, I was very close with my grandparents. Growing up, we were lucky enough to have grandparents on both sides who were friends with each other. This meant that big family vacations and holidays included all four of them. I have so many memories of my grandparents and still think about them all, often.
But I digress.
When it comes to your wedding, grandparents can be a huge blessing to have there. And, in some cases, you may not know the right way to honor or include your grandparents in your wedding. Your grandparents may be elderly and have disabilities or limitations. Or, your grandparents may be incredibly able-bodied and ready to help and party. Some may be motivated to get involved, while others just want to show up (kind of). No matter the situation it’s important to look into ways to include your grandparents in your wedding.
14 Ways To Include Your Grandparents In Your Wedding
This post is going to give you fourteen ways to include your grandparents in your wedding. As mentioned above, every situation is different. Pick and choose the ways in this post that make the most sense for your grandparents. Also, keep in mind that you don’t have to go above and beyond if it doesn’t make sense. You can simply have your grandparents be guests and leave it at that. Don’t put extra pressure on yourself, unless you really want to.
Let’s get into it!
1. BRING GRANDMA DRESS SHOPPING WITH YOU
First things first. Why not bring your grandma dress shopping with you?
Dress shopping with a bride is such a sweet experience. There’s love and excitement. Everyone who is there feels special. And, of course, it’s fun. If your grandma is mobile and into it, invite her to join. All she needs to really do is sit and give an opinion. If you think she’d enhance your experience, bring her along.
2. ASK GRANDPA TO OFFICIATE
If your grandpa is up to is, you could absolutely ask him to officiate your wedding.
This can be a very sweet way to include a grandpa who wants to be involved, but you really don’t know what he can do. For him to officiate, he should be comfortable with the type of ceremony you want to have, able to follow instructions, and okay with public speaking. If you think he’d be the right person for the job, do your research on how to get him ordained, and enjoy the moment.
3. ASK GRANDMA TO BE A FLOWER GIRL
Flower grannies is such a trend, and I hope it’s here to stay.
I’m serious. So many couples opt to have older women drop flowers ahead of the bride, rather than young girls. And, you know what? It’s awesome. Simply ask your grandma, and really anyone else you think would like to join her, if they want to be flower girls. Chances are they will have questions at first, and then be honored.
4. RESERVE SPECIAL SEATING FOR YOUR GRANDPARENTS
If you want to include your grandparents in your wedding, in a more subtle way, simply make sure they have amazing seats for your ceremony and reception.
It’s easy to reserve seats for both of these parts of your wedding. All you need is assigned seating for your reception and a little “reserved” sign for your ceremony. Make sure it’s on the right seat, and even put their names on it if you want. This will ensure they have great views for your wedding, and that they feel honored.
5. HAVE YOUR GRANDPARENTS WALK IN YOUR WEDDING PROCESSIONAL
Many couples opt to have their grandparents walk in their wedding processional, whether it’s part of their tradition or not.
By the way, if you’re not sure what a wedding processional is, or what yours should be, check out this recent post.
Here’s the thing. Really anyone can walk in a wedding processional. Family, friends, even pets. So invite your grandparents to be a part of it. They can be the first to enter your wedding, or can come at any point that makes sense. As long as they can make it down the aisle, and are okay with the attention, it’s a sweet way to include your grandparents in your wedding.
6. BORROW SOMETHING FROM YOUR GRANDPARENTS FOR YOUR “SOMETHING BORROWED”
Whether or not they can attend your wedding, this is definitely a way to include your grandparents in your wedding.
Simply borrow something from them.
Now, this can be a handkerchief. A necklace. Perhaps your grandpa has some cool socks or your grandma has a vase you can put some flowers in. There’s bound to be something that they own (or owned, if they’ve passed), that can be used at your wedding.
By the way, if your grandparents have passed away, check out this post on honoring a loved one who has passed. It’s filled with more ideas.
7. DO A FIRST LOOK WITH YOUR GRANDPARENTS
We all know what a first look is by now, right? Is when you get dolled up for your wedding and then do some sort of reveal with people involved in the wedding.
For something special, do a first look with your grandparents. Make sure the photographer is there, and maybe even a videographer. Once your grandparents see you, their reactions will be priceless and you’ll definitely want to get them recorded.
8. HAVE SOMETHING FROM YOUR GRANDPARENTS’ WEDDING, AT YOUR WEDDING
Do your grandparents still have items from their own wedding? Maybe you can use them at yours.
Just like if you borrow something from your grandparents, for this you may need to get creative. Perhaps there were candles at their wedding and they still have the holders for you to use. Or, your grandma has her veil and you can use it as décor somewhere. I’m not saying you need to wear your grandma’s wedding dress or anything, but see if there is something that can be repurposed from their own special day.
9. ASK YOUR GRANDPARENTS FOR MARRIAGE ADVICE (AND FILM IT)
Are you close with your grandparents? Maybe you can include your grandparents in your wedding by asking them advice.
Now, this advice can be about anything. It doesn’t have to be wedding related. Maybe you ask them about marriage, dating, or raising a family. You could ask them about their own history and weddings back in their day. This conversation is a sweet way to connect with your grandparents.
Bonus points if you film this talk. Maybe you share the video, or clips of it, at your wedding. Maybe not. The key is that you have something to look back on one day.
10. ASK THEM TO DO A SPEECH, READING, OR TOAST AT YOUR WEDDING
If you think your grandparents will be up to it, ask them to speak up at your wedding.
This can take a few different forms. Maybe grandpa does a (quick) speech at your reception. Or you ask grandma to lead a reading at your ceremony. Perhaps they both have a quick toast to kick off the evening. Think about what may appeal to them, and see if they are open to it.
11. HAVE A SPECIAL DANCE WITH YOUR GRANDPARENTS
Are your grandparents mobile? Do they enjoy dancing? You can include your grandparents in your wedding simply by dancing with them.
This does not have to be complicated. It also doesn’t have to be announced, planned, or public. Just see if one, or both, of them would like to dance with you at some point in your wedding. Yes, you can have everyone clear the dance floor and watch, or not. You could just go for it and it will be special.
12. PUT PHOTOS OF YOUR GRANDPARENTS AROUND YOUR WEDDING
Whether your grandparents are physically present at your wedding, or not, this idea is a great option to include your grandparents in your wedding.
Just put photos of them around your wedding.
I mean, who doesn’t love classic black and whites? Even sepia toned photos from the sixties and seventies can be fun. You may even have some recent ones worth sharing. You can easily place the photos around as décor, or have them on your wedding tables as an homage to the previous generations.
13. NAME A DRINK OR DESSERT AFTER YOUR GRANDPARENTS, OR SERVE THEIR FAVORITE
This is another idea to include your grandparents in your wedding, even if they can’t physically be there due to travel limitations, mobility issues, or because they have passed away.
Name a drink or dessert after them, or serve what they love.
Get creative with this one. I’m sure there’s some sort of drink that makes you think of your grandpa. Or a dessert your grandma used to make. You can even switch it up and have a drink-inspired dessert or a dessert-inspired drink (now, that’s a brain teaser!). See if you can incorporate their name into the name of the drink and make it your signature beverage. Or, just serve it and know where your own inspiration came from.
14. THANK YOUR GRANDPARENTS DURING YOUR VOWS OR WELCOME SPEECH
Last idea to include your grandparents in your wedding!
Thank them during your vows or welcome speech.
Most couples will say their vows out loud, or at least have their officiant read something personal for them. Have your grandparents mentioned at some point in that. Or, later on, if you and your partner do a welcome speech for your guests, thank your grandparents as part of the overall message. It can be a really simple sentence or two, among other messages of gratitude.
THOUGHTS ON WAYS TO INCLUDE YOUR GRANDPARENTS IN YOUR WEDDING
Friends, there are so many ways to include your grandparents in your wedding. Whether they want to be involved, or not, or are physically there, or not, you can pay homage to them in a way that is meaningful to you and your family. From having them participate in your actual ceremony or reception, to simply placing photos of them around your venue or naming a drink after them, there’s an idea for everyone. You’ve got this! Happy wedding planning!
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