It’s hard to include everyone in the planning of a wedding. Many brides began planning or having an idea of what that day would include since childhood or young adulthood. But when the engagement day arrives it can become overwhelming with all of the details. We know we include Mothers and Fathers, sisters and brothers, but Including grandmothers in your wedding planning and celebrations can add a special touch of family heritage, traditions, and love. Even if a grandmother is in a care home, being included can bring so much joy and a wonderful thing to think about and brag about to others.

Here are 13 heartfelt ways to involve your grandmothers on your wedding day.

1. Wedding Planning Meetings

Include grandmothers in some of the wedding planning meetings to make them feel involved and valued. Ask them their opinions and even reminisce with them about their wedding day. See number three below to include heirlooms they may have into your attire or at the ceremony.

2. Invitation Design and Selection

Involve your grandmothers in choosing or designing the wedding invitations. Their input can add a touch of tradition and nostalgia. You may want to pare your selections down to 2-3 preferences before asking her for her vote on her favorite.

 3. Embracing Family Heirlooms

Incorporate family heirlooms that belonged to your grandmothers, such as jewelry, a veil, or even a handkerchief, into your wedding attire. Carrying these with you may carry on traditions and keep grandmothers close to you, especially if they have passed.

4. Pre-wedding Activities

• Dress Shopping: Invite your grandmothers to join you when you go wedding dress shopping.
• Bridal Shower: Ensure they are special guests at your bridal shower.
• DIY Sessions: If your grandmothers are crafty, involve them in DIY wedding projects like making favors or decorations.
• Grandmother’s Sidekick: Ask someone close to your grandmother to look after her as needed during all the pre-wedding and wedding celebrations. Is there someone to pick her up for all events? Take her home? Make sure she has everything she needs? This may be more than one person who volunteers to help include her in all the wedding activities, since this will be your busy day.

5. Processional

• Have your grandmothers walk down the aisle, either alone or as part of the bridal party. Grooms, ushers, or family members can also walk grandmothers down the aisle.
• Consider giving them a special role, like being flower grandmothers instead of having traditional flower girls.

6. Seating of Honor

• Reserve special seats for your grandmothers during the ceremony and at the reception, ensuring they have a great view and are comfortably accommodated.
• For those grandmothers who have passed, some brides who were close to their grandmothers create a place of honor like a reserved seat with their photo. This is all based on individual preferences.

7. During the Ceremony

• Light a Candle: Light a candle during the ceremony in honor of a grandmother or grandfather that have passed.
• Holding the bride’s bouquet: Typically, the maid of honor holds the bride’s bouquet during the ceremony, but the bride may wish to have her grandmother hold it after she walks down the aisle.
• Reading: You may wish to ask a grandmother to read scripture or other readings during the ceremony.

8. Photographs

Ensure they are included in the key family photographs. Consider having a generational photo taken with all the women in your family or a generational photo for all.

9. Reception Roles

• Special Dances: Have a special dance with your grandmothers, like a generational dance.
• Speeches: Give them an opportunity to give a toast or a speech at the reception.

10. Tribute

Pay tribute to your grandmothers in your wedding program, acknowledging their influence and presence in your life.

11. Memory Display

If any grandmothers have passed away, create a memory table with photos and mementos to honor their memory during the wedding.

12. Personalized Gifts

• Corsages: Traditionally, all special guests such as mothers, fathers, and grandparents are given corsages to wear for the special day.
• Give your grandmothers a special gift as a token of appreciation, such as a personalized handkerchief, a piece of jewelry, or a framed photo from the wedding.

13. Taping the Wedding

For those who may not be able to attend the wedding, stream the wedding so that they can see it happen in real time. If some grandmothers or grandfathers are in care homes and not able to attend, the staff at their home should be able to help them see the wedding. If streaming is not possible, videotape the wedding and show it to them later.

For Grandfathers

Grandfathers can be a big part of our lives as well as Grandmothers. Some of the same ideas listed above can be used for Grandfathers too.

By incorporating some of these ideas, you can ensure that Grandmothers and Grandfathers feel cherished and honored on your special day. This will be a very special day for them too!