How to Include Kids in your Elopement

It is such a huge and humbling honor to photograph Colorado elopements and weddings because each couple’s day is a unique and personalized adventure; just as every couple is unique and individualized. I have a special place in my heart for photographing an elopement or weddings with kids. As we all know (and some of us more than others) the stereotypical, nuclear family is not what it used to be. It’s just as common to be raised by a single parent or be part of a blended family. I could be the poster child for unique family structures. I was adopted and have siblings, half-siblings, and step-siblings. As a single mother to an amazing son, I can really appreciate the dynamics of planning an elopement with kids since hopefully someday (a girl can dream) I will create the perfect elopement or wedding experience with my kiddo involved. I envision using all the fabulous ideas I have picked up through the years as the photographer at various Colorado elopements and weddings with kids and I want to share those here.

Eloping with Kids

When planning an elopement or wedding with kids, the first step is to set them up to succeed. Be sure to individualize the involvement to what will work for the specific kid, the age of the kid, the kid’s interests, and what feels right for you as a couple on your special day. Eloping with kids can begin with the wedding preparations and continue throughout the elopement ceremony. I would recommend asking the kids, as age allows, how they vision being involved in the elopement. An elopement with kids really helps bring an appreciation of the magic of the day and the specialness of uniting together not only the couple, but their kids and families. Including kids in your elopement experience will help them feel excited about the new family status. Below are some of my favorite traditions which I have been privileged to photograph at elopement weddings with kids.

Best Ways to Involve Kids in Your Wedding or Elopement Ceremony

Having kids be a part of the ceremony is a genuine way to celebrate the connectedness of the family – plus it’s a really natural way to include kids in the wedding. 

Have them walk you down the aisle

This is always adorable and you can see Meagan and Josh’s photos to prove it. Make sure that you have fun practicing together. Other than that, this is a classic role! 

Put them in the wedding party! 

Whether as a flower girl, ring bearer, bridesmaid,  groomsman, best man, or maid of honor, a kid and parent will cherish the memories. This is a great option from young kids to grown ones and truly shows their importance in your life and relationship. Shannon and Cullin are a perfect example as their kids had multiple roles in their wedding party.   

Read vows to them 

Regardless of age or what they say, marriage is a milestone in your kid’s life just as much as it is a milestone in yours. Expressing vows to your kid, and even having them read or write something to say to you as their parent, shows a continued commitment to them. Tom and Anya asked each child to share something about what family meant to them. You can write the vows in the front of a favorite book or on the back of a special picture or in a card they can have as a keepsake. Having one of your kids pronounce you married is also lots of fun. Including the kids in the procession to the altar, as Sahar and John did, is another lovely way to include kids in your elopement. One special moment in a Colorado elopement with kids I photographed was when Shawna and Keith’s family sealed letters in a box with the goal to open the box every anniversary and put new letters in.

Include them in a unity ritual

There are a few sentimental and sincere rituals which are perfect choices to involve a kid in the elopement ceremony. Unity rituals are a thoughtful way to include kids in an elopement ceremony by taking individual items and combining them into a new item. My favorite examples of unity rituals are lighting smaller candles from a larger candle, mixing different candy into a larger candy jar (my very favorite) or combining different colors of sand; whatever the method, uniting families in this ritual is a great way to include kids in the wedding. A hand-fasting  ceremony, as Meagan and Josh did with their kids, is another meaningful ritual which symbolizes the joining of two lives or a family. The couple and the kids join hands to form a figure eight and then tie a piece of ribbon or cloth to the crossed wrists. I have been honored to photograph awesome hand-fasting rituals. Tom and Anya had each of their kids pick out a ribbon and read a small piece during the ceremony about what their family meant to them. Chrissy and Ryan had each of their daughters place a ribbon over their hands during the hand-fasting. Unity and hand-fasting rituals are exquisite ways to include kids in the elopement ceremony.

Put them on the cake!  

Who doesn’t love wedding cake? A fun way to really make kids feel a part of the elopement is to have the cake decorations and toppers reflective of the family rather than just the couple (and don’t forget the pets!). 

Set aside time to include them in extra photos with you and your partner

This is definitely my first choice in how to include kids in an elopement wedding. I always recommend this option because it will inevitably be one of your best family photos. Everyone is already dressed up, and smiling (I’ll make them smile even if they don’t want to!). Claudette and Dustin showed this perfectly when their baby was included in their post-ceremony portraits.

More Ideas to Include Kids in Your Elopement or Wedding

Involving kids in your ceremony guarantees a vivid, lifelong memory for all of you. There are other ways you can still bring them into your special day. 

Treat yourself together

A perfect place to start with some kids is a shared hair, nails, or makeup pampering alongside the bride or groom. It’s fun, relaxing and makes for great photo shoots. You could also opt for some spa services or fancy meals together.

Get dressed up as a family 

Getting spiffed up and dressed for the wedding ceremony is a perfect way to involve the kids in the elopement. Kerry and Mike got ready with their kids and have some great pictures to show for it. Depending on the age (and your patience) of the children, your kid can help you zip your dress (clean hand reminder), comb your hair, help with a tie, button a jacket, try on your shoes or simply keep you company. It is a special experience getting ready for the epic day together and creates some great photo opportunities.

Give them a sneak peek

A first sneak preview of you all dressed up in your wedding attire can make a kid feel important and special. Plus, the wonderment in their eyes makes for a great photo. A lot of times people will share a first look with their partner or their parents, but this is a great and special moment to share with your kiddo as well.

Choose a special gift

Another way to include a kid in an elopement is a memento  gift – something which commemorates the elopement such as a piece of jewelry or a lapel pin which each member of the family wears. I have been lucky enough to photograph intimate elopements with kids in the private moments of getting ready for the big day and giving a little memento is always such a heartfelt and emotional gesture.

I Would Love to be Your Colorado Photographer for Your Wedding or Elopement With Your Kids 

Eloping with kids is sure to be a memorable, epic experience for the entire family! Eloping with kids is the start of a new beginning for a family – a  new connectedness and the foundation for shared memories. As a self proclaimed expert on blended family connectedness and the intricacies of being a single mom, I would love to capture your unique journey to become a new family – wherever in Colorado your dream elopement path leads you. Photographing elopements and weddings with children is always a joy because I love seeing families come together in love and happiness. I know because I cherish my own memories of being a part of my mother’s wedding. Check out my website and get in touch with me.