At more and more New Jersey weddings, the bride and groom are choosing to have their flower girls and ring bearers walk down the aisle and then sit in the front row during the ceremony.
It’s far more comfortable for the kids, who might be too young to stand still and behave during all the meaningful moments of your ceremony. Especially if it’s hot outside.
Little ones who have stood up with the bridal party have been known to fidget, or ‘steal the show’ by making faces (as the parents are just dying in their seats,) and yes, there have been some instances of nose-picking (also sending parents into a panic.)
Kids can act up especially if they’re uncomfortable in their wedding outfits, if they hate wearing a tie or if a lace collar is itchy.
So as adorable as they are for the walk down the aisle, as much as they add a precious element to your bridal party, let them take a seat for a wedding ceremony lasting any amount of time. Your ceremony might be just ten minutes, but standing there still and silent isn’t something the child has practiced.
The rehearsal may have just shown him or her how to walk down the aisle and where to stand, but the added elements of a crowd being there, and the ceremony lasting far longer in a child’s mind than it actually does, can pose some risks. Risks you don’t want captured on your wedding video, or panicking anyone – including you.
Tip: Have the kids sit next to a parent or other respected adult who can give them ‘the look’ if they start fidgeting or poking at each other. Kids know that look, and you’ll get an extra few minutes of good behavior out of them, until it’s time for them to stand up and follow you back down the aisle, their job well done.
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