Family and Friends Wedding Ideas

There are many ways to create a ritual, story or symbol as an inclusive expression of the sentiments of family and friends.  Family and Friends Wedding Ideas will give you a few easy ways to add color, fun and the gift to family and friends of being an active participant in your special day.

Treasure chest


Family and Friends Wedding Ideas: How to include them

A great way to include Family and Friends in your wedding celebration is to have a collection of granite polished hearts or small river rock laid out attractively over a small table. Some artistic creativity will set a great tone with the addition of a few flowers, pedestals of different heights, and candles. Electronic battery powered candles are easy to obtain and removes the risk of fire and someone getting hurt.

In the center, place a large clear acrylic vase with a very wide opening, or use a clear acrylic bowl. Use acrylic, NOT glass. No matter how sturdy you think the glass will be, it will break. You will want to choose something with an attractive design and shape. It should be clear and as close to mirroring crystal as you can find. Don't use something opaque or translucent. It will not be as dynamic and will not give you the effect that you are looking for. 
   
Invite family and friends to be included in your wedding celebration by placing, in a suitable picture frame or acrylic stand, wording on parchment or linen stationary. I suggest the following:

  
Thank you for being part of our special day. We invite each of you, our family and friends, to select two hearts that you are drawn to. Hold them both close to your heart, close your eyes, and offer a silent intention, prayer or sentiment. Take one of the hearts and place it in the goblet. The other heart is yours to keep. Our hearts will be connected.

Granite Heart


Family and Friends Wedding Ideas: Stepping Stones

If you are using river rock the following wording would work well:
  

Thank you for being part of our special day. We invite each of you, family and friends, to select two stones that you are drawn to. Hold them both close to your heart, close your eyes, and offer a silent intention, prayer or sentiment. Take one of the stones and place it in the goblet. The other stone is yours to keep as a reminder that our bond is strong and sure, and that your are helping to create the stepping stones that will guide us into our future.


Family and Friends Wedding Ideas: Variations on this Idea

Acrylic Gems

Use colored clear acrylic pebbles, acrylic ice, or engraved stones. If you are using clear acrylic imitation ice, lightly colored water adds a new dimension to the display. The color of the water can match the wedding theme colors. If the right container is selected, a small battery powered light can be placed at the bottom underneath the container to shine up into the water. Although it is a little more complicated to find just the right features that will work, lighting always adds special appeal and ambiance to the setting that can be striking if done well.    

Soft music playing in the background adds a very warm touch and helps set the mood. There is a huge selection of love songs about hearts, love, life together, the support of family. Do a search on the internet, listen to online music love stations, or talk to friends for ideas. There are so many love songs from which to choose. 


Family and Friends Wedding Ideas: Fountain of Friendship

Consider having a fountain with two or three pitchers of water on a table nearby, accented by flowers. The sound of the flowing water is relaxing and romantic. 

Each arriving guest would be invited to pour a small portion of water into the fountain as a gesture of their love, support, and the contribution that they make in the lives of the couple.

Waterpot Fountain

Ensure that the fountain has the capacity to contain the added water. The wording on the invitation near the fountain could be something similar to the following:

Thank you for being part of our special day. We invite each of you, family and friends, to pour a few drops of water into the fountain. This will be for us, an expression of your love and support, and a reminder of the contributions that you have made in our lives. At the conclusion of this day we have asked that members of our wedding party place some of the water from the fountain in beautiful containers and deliver them to our new home. Over the coming days and weeks, we will use the water to refresh the roses planted in our garden as a living reminder of you and our friendship.

Rose Bush