How to Include Your Baby in Your Wedding

The little one might be too young for traditional roles.

Naturally, brides and grooms want to include their kids in the big day, as it represents not just the celebration of natural love, but also the coming together of their family.

By Emily Lasnier

baby-ring-bearer-in-wooden-wagon-with-sign-reading-dont-worry-ladies-im-still-single
Photo: Michael Segal Photography

It is increasingly common for couples getting married to already have children, whether with each other or from a previous relationship. Naturally, brides and grooms want to include their kids in the big day, as it represents not just the celebration of natural love, but also the coming together of their family. Roles such as flower girls, ring bearers, junior bridesmaids, and groomsmen make it easy to include children from toddlers to teenagers, but what about when your child is an infant? For sweethearts who had a baby during the engagement process, their little one is too young to have any actual responsibilities during the event. Of course, there are still ways to include the youngest of offspring. 

how to include your infant baby in your wedding

Photo by Kortnee Kate Photography; Planning & Design by Viva Bella Events

Before the Wedding: 

- Engagement photos. If you and your beloved choose to have an e-session, you can also include your little one in some (or all!) of the pictures. 

- Save the dates. Whether a photograph or a darling illustration, an image of the whole family unit for the first bit of nuptial stationery will set the tone. 

- Family portraits. If you’re taking pictures before the vow exchange, include your baby at the beginning, while clothes are still clean and moods are good. This way you’ll have photos of your new family on your special day, but can also have the baby be with a nanny or babysitter (if you’re comfortable with that) for the rest of the celebration. 

During the Wedding: 

- Pulled by wagon. Your little one can still be included in the ceremony, but they’ll need some assistance! An older flower girl or ring bearer (or an adult you’re close to) can pull the baby in a lavishly decorated wagon with plenty of padding. There are plenty of inspiration pictures out there to get ideas.

- Mentioned in vows. If you exchange personal vows, be sure to also mention loving and caring for your child together, as that is now a big part of your married life. 

- Front-row seat. Find a grandparent or other VIP who will agree to hold your baby during the ceremony so parent and child can have eyes on each other during the service.  

For more advice, learn how to accommodate all children at your wedding and how to tell your kids about your engagement. 

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