How to Include your Children in your Destination Wedding

“We wanted our children to remember and experience from an early age the connection and the love that we have for each other and know that they are a part of that love. We wanted them to hear our vows, see our happy tears and know that feeling. They came from our bond and our dedication to each other from when we first met, to our wedding.” – Selina + Daniel

Having your children as a part of your wedding ceremony is becoming more and more common. Couples who decided to have kids before getting married have an amazing opportunity to show their children their commitment to one another. Blended families can use the wedding day to bring the whole family together. Couples who choose to invest in their marriage with a vow renewal also often have the chance to have their kids witness their love and commitment. Here are some of our favorite ways to include your children in your wedding ceremony or vow renewal. Esepcially those families who travel for love and end up in some of the most amazing places together. Travel is the only thing you can buy that will make you richer. #FamilyTravel

Contact us to plan your Travel!

Our sister company Del Sol Travels is a full-service travel agency that specializes in planning destination weddings, honeymoons and special events. Their services are complimentary, and our team of travel experts is available to assist you with travel planning around the globe, not only for weddings and honeymoons but with all of your travel needs.

Have your kids walk you down the aisle

Simple and classic, but oh so sweet. Having your children walk down the aisle with you, be it with mom or dad adds a super special touch.

“Holding my son’s hand between the trees as onlookers commented on how awesome it was he was walking me down. He didn’t know how important and meaningful it was, that’s what made it even more special. It was just him holding his mommy’s hand, it wasn’t until everyone commented he got nervous, it was very sweet.” – Selina

Scheila and Andre’s wedding was about so much more than the bride and groom walking down the aisle. All eyes were on their daughter Laura.

“We met 15 years ago. This party is to celebrate this union. We have a daughter four years old. She’s beautiful, but she still can not walk herself (she is physically disabled). Our daughter Laura is the center of the whole family.” – Scheila

Make your kids your ring bearers and flower girls

Flower girl and ring bearer roles are traditional and super cute roles for kids. There is something super special about your child handing you your wedding ring though ;)

Write vows for your children

We love Cassie and Clay’s wedding vows and Clay stole the show with his special vows for Cassie’s daughter Kiley. What better way to include children in your wedding than to make special promises to them too!

“When I met Momma I knew that she had a little girl at home. What I didn’t know is how big of an impact you would have on my life. You are the sweetest and most loving little girl I have ever met. I promise to always love you, take care of you, and help you grow into the great woman that I know you’ll become.”

Cori sums up up perfectly why she wanted to make sure her step-sons understood her commitment to them :)

“When Dax and I chose to get married, we knew we were becoming much more than a couple, we were creating a family. This role of a step-parent, picking up a life that was begun many years before you, and without you, can be a challenging one. I wanted Dax’s two sons to understand that I was making a commitment to them, as well as to their father. Though I may not have always been there, I would be always be there now.” – Cori

Let kids write their own vows too!

One of the star details of Selina and Daniel’s vow renewal was their daughter’s vows thanking daddy for always making her fav chicken wings.

See the Wedding

Involve your children in your unity ceremony

Kids young and old can take part in your unity ceremony. We especially loved the sand ceremony at Ellie and Hazen’s wedding. Hazen’s 3 adult sons helped the couple’s baby pour sand in their unity ceremony – ultimate family love!

Brandy + Troy had their 3 kids take part in their sand ceremony at NOW Jade
Fareeda + Tim had their blended family all take part in their Grand Velas Wedding sand ceremony
Cori + Dax included Daxe’s children in their cenote wedding sand ceremony
Severine’s daughter joined her and Emil in their unity ceremony in Dreams Riviera Cancun
Sara + Jonny had Jonny’s ADORABLE twin girls take part in their Tulum wedding sand ceremony
Katrice + Deont’e had their sons take part in their breaking bread ceremony at Beach Palace Cancun

See more creative unity ceremony ideas HERE

1 2 3 4 5

Your children can be a (symbolic) witness

Some officiants will let your children sign or even handprint your marriage certificate. They don’t count as a legal witness if they are not of age but it’s a beautiful symbolic gesture.

“We have children from previous relationships and we are committed to blending our families and sharing the love we have for one another with our children. The sand ceremony was perfect for us because it symbolizes the many layers that we bring to our family, while showing our marriage bonds us together.” – Fareeda

Have your kids make a speech at your wedding

It’s amazing how even very little kids step up to the mic and make the simplest and most moving speeches of the day. Having a trusted relative with them to hold their hand for the very little ones is a nice support and even just a few short, impromptu words mean the world.

Have a Vow Renewal with your Kids!

A vow renewal is an amazing investment in your relationship and can be powerful, with or without your kids. If you do decide to include your children in your vow renewal it’s a beautiful way to reinforce your family love and togetherness.

“We wanted them to remember and experience from an early age the connection and the love that we have for each other and know that they are a part of that love. We wanted them to hear our vows, see our happy tears and know that feeling. They came from our bond and our dedication to each other from when we first met, to our wedding.” – Selina + Daniel

“We loved when the kids threw rose petals on us. The looks on their faces, especially Jacob. And the seeds. Having our parents there to participate in the ceremony with the seeds was especially touching. Their words and blessings were so meaningful.” – Sherri

Find out more about vow renewals in Mexico and see a very special 20 year cenote vow renewal HERE

Have your kids up there with you!

Including your kids in your “couples portrait session” is a beautiful idea. You can also choose to have their kids front and center with you in your ceremony. If your kids are very little you may not have much choice in the matter! If your kids want mom or dad to hold them as you say your vows embrace the moment – it’s actually really beautiful to see the whole family up there together!

1 2 3

Sammy and Nick had their children organically become part of their ceremony! How can you resist 2 adorable twins who just want to be with mom and day. We LOVE that Sammy and Nick ended up exiting their ceremony each holding a twin – even though that was not “in the plan.”

“Ahh the twins! To be honest, I could not have imagined a better way to say my vows than with one of them in my arms. They are my identity now, and the very reason why we love each other so much. I know some people were nervous when all the kids were starting to fuss about, but those wild spirits are the loves of our life and we wouldn’t have it any other way!” – Sammy

Include your kids in your couple’s portrait session

You can have your kids join in at the beginning of your couple’s portrait session. Of course we will make beautiful art images of just the 2 of you, but it’s wonderful for us to include artistic portraits of the whole family in your wedding portfolio.

1 2 3

Get your kids to dress the part

Even the very little ones can get their wedding on – in the cutest possible way!

Enjoy your kid’s presence on your wedding day

Quite simply having a great wedding schedule and time for your kids presence to be felt is a great way for them the find their place in your wedding story. The “getting ready”pre-ceremony time is really fun and a great moment for the little ones to shine.

In the end your wedding day should reflect you! Adults only weddings may be a thing but kids at weddings always add a special touch. If you need more convincing take a look at some of our fave photos of cute kids at weddings