A Wedding Blog: My Sibling's Big Day

So, your sibling's getting married — exciting! You want to be a part of their big day and you want to make it special for them. But how? Well, there are lots of ways to get involved in your sibling's wedding and make it memorable. From pre-wedding activities to the ceremony itself, here are some ideas to get you started on creating a wedding blog dedicated to your sibling's nuptials.

Involving siblings in pre-wedding activities

Involving your siblings in your wedding is a great way to make your big day even more special and meaningful. There are plenty of pre-wedding activities that you can include your siblings in, and it will give you some quality time with them before the wedding. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Ask them to help you pick out your wedding outfit: Siblings can be a great source of support and advice when it comes to choosing your wedding dress or suit. They know your style and what looks good on you, so take them along when you go shopping. It will be a fun and memorable experience for both of you.
• Involve them in pre-wedding events: Siblings can play a crucial role in planning and hosting pre-wedding events like the bridal shower, bachelorette or bachelor party, and rehearsal dinner. They can help with the planning, offer their homes as venues, and ensure that everything runs smoothly on the day.
• Go with you to your pre-wedding photo shoot: Pre-wedding photo shoots are a great opportunity to get creative and have some fun with your siblings. They can help you relax and feel comfortable in front of the camera, and you can create some beautiful memories together.
• Ask for their opinions on wedding details: Including your siblings in the wedding planning process can make them feel valued and involved. Ask for their input on details such as the theme, colour scheme, menu, or even your wedding to-do list. They may have some great ideas and suggestions that you hadn't considered.
• Plan a sibling activity: If you're having a destination wedding, plan some activities with your siblings, such as a group excursion, a spa day, or a sibling dinner before the big day. It will give you a chance to bond and create new memories together.
• Involve them in wedding preparations: If your siblings have specific talents or interests, put them to good use! A crafty sibling can help with DIY wedding decor, while a foodie sibling can barbecue for your rehearsal dinner. It will make the wedding preparations more enjoyable and give you some special moments with your siblings.

Remember, your wedding is not just about you and your partner; it's also a celebration of your family. So, find ways to include your siblings in pre-wedding activities and make them feel loved and appreciated.

Asking them to be bridesmaids or groomsmen

Asking your siblings to be bridesmaids or groomsmen is a great way to involve them in your wedding. Here are some ideas on how to go about it:

Timing is Key

It is recommended to ask your bridal party to join you anywhere from one year to seven months before the wedding. This gives them enough time to plan, especially if they need to travel or have other commitments. However, it is also suggested to wait until you have selected a venue and have more details to share with them.

Communicate Your Expectations

Once you've decided on who you want to ask, it's important to communicate your expectations clearly. Discuss their roles and responsibilities and give them the opportunity to express any concerns or ask questions. Be respectful and understanding of their circumstances, and give them space to consider the commitment.

Sibling Dynamics

If you have multiple siblings, you may want to involve them all in your wedding party. This can add a unique and memorable dynamic to your special day. Consider having adult siblings as "Beer Boys" or "Flower Dudes", or include them in other creative ways during the ceremony.

Honoring Your Brother

If you have a brother, there are many ways to honor him at your wedding. You can ask him to be your "man of honor" or "bridesman", or include him in the groomsmen's procession with a coordinated outfit. You can also involve him in the process of choosing your wedding dress, getting creative with DIY decor, or even ask him to give a toast at the reception.

Including Your Sister

If you have a sister, consider asking her to be your maid of honor or a bridesmaid. She can help coordinate pre-ceremony activities, serve as your right-hand woman during planning, and be there for you on the morning of your big day. You can also ask her to host your bridal shower or bachelorette party, especially if she has access to your childhood home as a venue.

Remember, your wedding is about celebrating your special day with the people you love. Choose the people who hold the most significant place in your heart, and don't be afraid to get creative with your bridal party!

Planning a sibling activity

Include Them in the Wedding Party:

Ask your sibling to be a part of your wedding party, such as the maid of honour, best man, bridesmaid, or groomsman. This gives them an active role in the wedding planning process and pre-ceremony activities. If you want to break tradition, you can also have your brother as a "bridesman" or your sister as a "groomsmaid".

Officiant or Master of Ceremony:

If your sibling is a skilled public speaker, consider asking them to officiate your wedding ceremony. They can get ordained to legally perform the ceremony, adding a touch of sentimentality. Alternatively, they can be the Master of Ceremony, guiding the evening's transitions and announcing special moments.

Showcase Their Special Skills:

Let your sibling's talents shine by incorporating them into the wedding. A musically inclined sibling can perform a special song, while a dancer can showcase their skills to get the party started. Crafty siblings can create DIY decor, centrepieces, or even your wedding ceremony arch.

Unity Ritual:

Involve your sibling in a unity ritual, such as a flower or tree-planting ceremony, where they offer soil to symbolise the merging of families. This is a small but meaningful way to include them in the wedding.

Readings and Blessings:

Ask your sibling to perform a reading or blessing during the ceremony. They can recite a passage selected by you and your partner or choose a meaningful text. This adds a personal touch to the ceremony.

Official Greeter:

An outgoing sibling can be the official greeter or ceremony attendant, welcoming guests, answering questions, distributing wedding programs, and encouraging guests to sign the guest book.

Pre-Wedding Event Host:

Your sibling can offer to host pre-wedding events like the bridal shower, bachelorette/bachelor party, or rehearsal dinner. They can use their knowledge of your preferences to plan an event you'll love, and perhaps even offer your childhood home as the venue.

Usher:

At larger weddings, a friendly sibling can serve as an usher, guiding guests to their seats and ensuring a smooth pre-wedding setup. If they know many people attending, they can make guests feel more comfortable and welcomed.

Include Them in Photos:

Plan a fun photoshoot with your siblings to capture memories that will last a lifetime. You can also include them in the family processional, walking down the aisle ahead of you, creating magical photography opportunities.

Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to involving siblings in your wedding. Choose the activities and roles that best suit your relationship and their personalities. By including them in these ways, you'll create a more intimate and memorable wedding experience.

Having a sibling give a speech

If your brother has asked you to give a speech at his wedding, it's a huge honour. But even if you love your brother and his partner, giving a speech might be a daunting task. You might feel nervous about writing and presenting a speech, especially with the pressure to be funny and with all eyes on you. However, there are some steps you can take to make the process easier.

First, it's important to plan what you're going to say. A good way to start is by making a joke within the first 20 seconds of the speech. This will relax you and your audience. You could make a joke about your brother's quirks, eccentricities, and habits, or your parents and the way they brought you up. However, it's important to avoid controversial topics like politics, religion, cultural differences, and exes. Keep the tone light and positive, and steer clear of embarrassing stories about the groom.

Next, you'll want to share some anecdotes about your brother. Avoid clichés and try to tell stories that showcase his unique characteristics and qualities. You could talk about your childhood together, or more recent experiences, but make sure the stories are concise and punchy.

It's also important to say some nice things about your brother's partner. Think about the reasons you've bonded with your new sister or brother-in-law, and why you think they're so right for your brother. You could also share what it was like to watch their love story unfold, or illustrate the wonderful qualities they share.

Finally, wrap up your speech with a toast. This can be emotional, humorous, or a mix of both. You could end with some marriage advice, or a happy thought or wish for the couple's future together.

Remember, the most important thing is to speak from the heart. Your brother will appreciate hearing your sincere thoughts and feelings on their special day.

Giving them a special role in the ceremony

There are many ways to give your sibling a special role in your wedding ceremony. Here are some ideas to make them feel included and celebrated:

Readings and Blessings

Ask your sibling to perform a reading or blessing during the ceremony. They can choose a meaningful passage or recite a reading selected by you and your partner. This could be a poem, a sample of text from a book or song, a Bible verse, or something more creative. You could even ask them to rewrite a popular poem to be about you and your partner! If you are looking for a traditional religious ceremony, a sibling could come to the front and read a scripture, or they could recite a meaningful quote or saying for a modern agnostic ceremony.

Officiant

If you have a sibling you are especially close with, consider asking them to officiate your wedding. By getting ordained, your sibling can legally bind the most important decision of your life! Not only would it save you money on the officiant fee, but it would also bring your family closer together. Ask them to share a few stories and make your ceremony personal.

Ushers

At larger weddings, couples may have ushers to direct guests to their seats. A friendly sibling would be perfect for this role, especially if they know lots of people attending the wedding. They can ensure the pre-wedding setup runs smoothly and it's always nice for guests to be greeted by a familiar face.

Greeters

Let an outgoing sibling be the official greeter and welcome guests as they arrive. They can serve as a ceremony attendant, answering questions and relaying information about the proceedings. They can also hand out wedding programs and encourage everyone to sign the guest book.

Flower People

If your sibling has unfulfilled dreams of being a flower girl or boy, or you have a pair of clownish brothers, why not make them fully-grown flower people? They can toss petals out of bumbags, break the rules by aiming for guests' faces, and work the aisle like it's their own personal runway! Alternatively, they could hand out drinks, fans, or bubbles.

Walk Down the Aisle

You could acknowledge your family more formally by having your sibling walk down the aisle with a parent or together, either when the ceremony starts or once the housekeeping has finished. They can even accompany younger family members to comfort them as they walk down the aisle.

Host Pre-Wedding Events

Your sibling could step up to host pre-wedding events like the bridal shower, bachelorette/bachelor party, or rehearsal dinner. They probably understand your preferences for food and activities, and they might be able to use your childhood home as a venue.

DIY Pro

Let your sibling enjoy the wedding preparations by playing to their talents. A crafty sibling can be your wedding decor pro and DIY your reception centerpieces, while a food-loving sibling can barbecue for your rehearsal dinner.

Escort Grandparents

If you are planning on having your grandparents process down the aisle, you can ask your sibling to escort them, especially if one of your grandparents is walking alone. Not only will your sibling help avoid any aisle mishaps, but it will also result in some amazing wedding pictures.

Toast Giver

Wedding toasts are usually reserved for the bridal party, but if you and your sibling are very close, there is no better person to give a toast. Nothing is stopping you from asking them to make a toast for you and your partner on your wedding day.

Photographer's Assistant

If you have younger siblings, you could put them in charge of the photo list to assist the wedding photographer. They know who everyone is, so they can ensure no one misses out on the family portraits.

Frequently asked questions