NANA SAYS CHILDREN OF ALL AGES CAN BE IN A WEDDING

It can be a thrill to have your little ones included in a wedding party. The wedding season is heightened at this time of year with Spring and Summer weddings. Flower girls! Ring boys! They are always so cute. However, behind the scenes are the parents buying the outfits, taking them to rehearsal and managing them during the couple's big day! Even older children and teens can be included in weddings especially if family is important. Many times wedding parties are bigger to try to accomodate everyone without any hurt feelings of exclusion! Keeping them quiet during the marriage ceremony may take some bribing! Photo shoots can be challenging. Often the little ones are sent for a nap during an afternoon session to meet up with the wedding party before the dinner for pictures. Don't be offended if the little flower girl is asked not to come for the 3 hour picture taking! It actually bodes better if you the parent can have a little break. Pictures at the hall or outdoor venue gives plenty of opportunities for pictures. Group and family shots will have your little ones in many photos. During one of my daughter's wedding, I had my great-niece in a hug to keep her still during a family picture I adore. She was front and center! Many halls have a bridal room where the little ones can change to PJs later when the party is in full swing. Second or third marriages, also offer many children time to be part of the inner wedding circle! If a baby is born before the wedding, a couple can include their own child in the ceremony! The photographers in the crowd can often obtain cute and fun candid photos of little children. When investigating photographers' portfolios for Tasha's wedding, I recall a cute photo of a little ring bearer lifting up the bride's dress and playing peek -a -boo! There are always times to get the little ones or teens with older family members or those multi-generational photo opts  that do not happen very often. Some of my favourite wedding photos are those with family members who came from near and far to attend. Weddings often exclude children at the party. Many times I would take my girls to the church to see the Bride when they were little. They could have some food at the little church luncheon and feel part of the day.When they were left at home while Mommy and Daddy went out, they had been included in the day. The next day they would look forward to the pastry I would bring them from the dinner!