Your wedding should be all about you and your partner beginning your life together as a new family.

Amid all the celebrating, however, it’s nice to acknowledge and include some of the most important people who have helped you grow into the people you are today.

Whether it’s family members or lifelong friends, including loved ones in your wedding day is a wonderful gesture of appreciation and love.

Traditional ways to honor loved ones in your wedding include asking them to perform a reading during your ceremony or even be a part of your wedding party.

There are plenty of other options when it comes to including friends and family in your wedding day, too.

Here are some of our favorite creative ways to include family members in your wedding.

Ask Them to Officiate

Having someone you love officiate your wedding is truly special.

Whether it’s a friend or family member, being married by someone who knows you adds a uniquely personal touch to your wedding.

Not only will your officiant sign your marriage license, they’ll also be featured in the bulk of your ceremony photos, too.

Looking back on those sweet moments with a familiar face in the pictures is a lovely way to make your wedding day feel even more personal.

Make sure your officiant is legally ordained. Do a little research ahead of time; requirements vary from state to state.

Have Them Be a Ring Guard

Few roles require more responsibility than guarding the wedding rings.  

A young ring bearer is a really sweet addition to your wedding ceremony. Still, it’s usually a good idea to designate someone responsible for holding onto the rings until they’re needed. 

When it comes time to exchange rings, you can include a tender moment of inviting your honored ring guard to the altar to hand you the rings.  

Ask Them to Be Your Witness

While it’s traditional for a best man and maid of honor to sign your marriage license as witnesses, you can switch things up and ask a special friend or family member to sign it.

Anyone who attends your ceremony can sign if they are over the age of 18.

Having their signature on your legal marriage document can be a lasting reminder of their presence on your special day.

Have Them Give a Toast

Often, the people who love you most would be honored to toast to your happiness as you celebrate the start of your marriage.  

Ask someone special to lead a toast, either at your wedding reception or your rehearsal dinner.  

Be sure to ask them early to make sure they have plenty of time to prepare before their big moment.  

Honor Them with a Dance

Mother/son and father/daughter dances have become traditional at many weddings.

It’s a lovely way to share a special moment with a parent who has been instrumental in helping you become the person you are today.

You can also honor parents or grandparents by including their wedding song on your playlist, or a special song of importance to you and a family member or friend.

Include Children

If you and your future spouse have children, including them in the ceremony is a lovely and heartfelt gesture.  

After making your vows to one another, invite your child or children to the altar for a family vow.  

Promising to care for one another as a family can mean the world to a child and reassures them this day is a true celebration of love – including them.   

Have a Private First Look

A wedding day can feel like a whirlwind of events.  

Sometimes, you can be so busy getting ready and taking photos that your loved ones may feel they don’t get to spend much time with you. 

One way to include them in a truly special way is to invite them to a private first look once you’re dressed and ready to say, “I do.”  

Find a quiet spot where you can share a sweet moment together.  

Invite your photographer if you’d like to have photos of their genuine reaction. Or at least have some tissues nearby.  

Gift Them a Corsage or Boutonniere

From coordinating outfits to matching bouquets and boutonnieres, your wedding party is recognizably important on your wedding day.  

Show someone you love how important they are by gifting them a coordinating corsage or boutonniere.  

They’ll feel honored that they’re visually recognizable as an important part of your wedding day.  

Make a Family Recipe as a Party Favor

Does your family have a beloved recipe that reminds you of someone special? 

Add a personal touch to your party favors by preparing the recipe and handing goodies out at the end of your reception.  

A non-edible option would be to collect a variety of family recipes associated with loved ones and make a mini recipe book to send home with your guests at the end of the evening. 

There are few things more sacred than a family tradition. Let your friends and family know how important they are to you by sharing a personal tradition that reminds you of them. 

Celebrate Your Love and Honor Your Loved Ones with Rosen Weddings

At Rosen Weddings, we’re all about making your wedding day as special and unique to you and your partner as possible.

From our four distinct and beautiful venues to our incredible wedding specialists, we’re here to help your wedding dreams come to life.

Contact our team today to learn how your wedding fantasies can become reality with Rosen Weddings.

The tradition of a bridal shower is centuries old.

Years ago, when a woman was going to be married, her family would provide money, livestock, and other resources to make her more appealing to a groom.

Sometimes, a woman’s family couldn’t provide a proper dowry, or they’d refuse to provide one if they didn’t approve of the marriage.

In those circumstances, a bride’s friends and family would gather to offer gifts to help the new bride transition into married life more easily.

Today, a bridal shower is the perfect excuse to celebrate a bride-to-be and show similar support with gifts to begin a new phase of life with her partner.

As traditions shift and evolve, it can feel complicated to keep track of trends, etiquette, and expectations.  

If you’re a Maid of Honor planning a party for your bestie or a bride wondering what to expect from your pre-wedding celebration, our Rosen Wedding experts have you covered.  

Here is your guide to hosting a beautiful bridal shower.

Who Hosts a Bridal Shower?

Traditionally, a bride’s maid of honor or bridal party will host a bridal shower in her honor.

The mother of the bride, her future mother-in-law, and other family members can also host or contribute to the shower.

While the bride herself doesn’t typically play a part in planning or hosting the shower, it’s always a good idea to consult her about her preferences, taste, and ideal guest list.

Can Men Attend?

Traditionally, bridal showers are attended only by women.

However, many wedding traditions are being challenged as more brides have inclusive and co-ed bridal parties.

Technically, a co-ed bridal shower that includes the groom as a guest of honor is known as a Wedding Shower.

Check with the bride to see if she’d prefer a more bride-centric celebration or would feel more comfortable sharing the spotlight.

If you do decide to have a shower just for the bride, ask the groom to show up at the end of the party, preferably with a bouquet of flowers for his bride-to-be.

What Happens at a Bridal Shower?

A bridal shower is a party celebrating the bride prior to her wedding day.

It’s often a more intimate gathering of the bride’s closest friends and family coming together.

Typically, guests enjoy eating, drinking, and showering the guest of honor in gifts to start her new phase of life as a married woman.

Bridal showers also frequently include playing games revolving around the bride and perhaps a brief toast or two from the host or the bride herself.

When Should a Bridal Shower Take Place?

In general, a bridal shower is typically held four to six weeks prior to the wedding day.

Factors like venue availability, travel, and timing of other wedding events (bachelorette party, engagement party, etc.) could also play into which date you choose.

Be sure to include the bride in the discussion of when to host her shower.

Who Gets an Invite?

Wedding showers are the perfect excuse for a bride’s closest friends and family members to come together and celebrate this momentous time in her life.

A bridal shower guest list can be as extensive or intimate as you’d like.

It should, at minimum, include the bridal party, the bride’s immediate family members, and perhaps any soon-to-be family members of note.

While a bridal shower invite list will likely not include all the wedding guests, anyone invited to the shower should also be invited to the wedding.

It’s also a good idea to have the bride double-check the bridal shower invitee list to make sure no one is left off or invited without her approval.

Where Should we Hold the Shower?

A bridal shower can be as lavish or simplistic as you want it to be.  

Treat your bride to a backyard garden soirée, or a seated luncheon at her favorite restaurant.  

Galleries, rooftop bars, and community clubhouses are also great options for bridal shower venues.  

Where you choose to host the shower depends primarily on your budget. The home of a family member or friend is an incredibly cost-effective choice for a party.  

Who Pays for the Bridal Shower?

The person hosting the event typically pays for the party, including venue, food, decor, and any other expenses.

However, it’s becoming increasingly common for other members of the bridal party, the bride’s parents and future in-laws, and even the bride and groom themselves to contribute to the budget.

Be sure to determine your budget before you start planning so you know exactly how much is available to spend.

What Should I Serve?

Every party needs good food.

What you serve (and the amount of it) depends on your budget, theme, and the time of day you’re throwing the party.

For example, you can keep things light and simple with finger sandwiches and pastries or go all-out with a catered luncheon of your bride’s favorite foods.

Alcoholic beverages are often served at bridal showers.

A playful mimosa bar is perfect for a brunch shower or serve elegant wines with charcuterie for an evening soirée.

What you serve at a bridal shower is up to you and your imagination – as well as your budget.

What Gifts Should Guests Bring?

At the time of the bridal shower, the bride and groom will likely have a wedding registry available to share with guests.

The registry should have items that range in price so guests can find a gift that suits their budget.

To make things easier for guests, include the couple’s wedding registry URL on the bridal shower invitations.

Should There be a Theme?

A great theme can make a bridal shower feel playful, cohesive, and unique.

Here are a few of our favorite bridal shower themes to consider:

• Cottagecore Queen – If your bride loves all things countryside chic, she’ll adore a cottagecore-themed bridal shower. Decorate simplistically with wildflowers and rustic textiles. Serve farm-fresh hors d’oeuvres and a refreshing cocktail with an herb garnish.

• Bridgerton Babe – An English high tea experience is a feminine, elegant way to celebrate any bride. Use an assortment of fanciful teacups and saucers (rented or thrifted) for a whimsical effect and set the table with tiers of finger sandwiches and delicate pastries. Play classical music for an extra touch of sophistication.

• Mediterranean Tile and Citrus – Inspired by ornate blue and white tiles found throughout the Mediterranean, this theme is as fresh as it is classic. Decorate with lemons and lemon slices and serve cocktails made with limoncello. Invite your guests to dress in shades of blue, white, and yellow for a beautiful, cohesive look.

• Rosé All Day – Perfect for the bride who loves pink, Rosé All Day is a theme that’s as pretty and light as a glass of blush wine. Integrate as much pink as you can into the décor with florals and rose gold accents. This is another great theme for a color palette dress code: ask your guests to wear pink for a special touch. Make sure you have plenty of rosé on hand!

• In Her Bridal Era – Is your bride a Swiftie? Celebrate her in her bridal era with a party full of Taylor Swift music, friendship bracelet making, and plenty of lyric-inspired touches. Find out the bride’s favorite T. Swift album and use it as inspiration for cocktails, décor, and the perfect photo backdrop.

Host Your Bridal Shower at a Rosen Weddings Venue

Looking for the perfect Orlando venue to host a bridal shower?

Rosen Weddings has four distinct venues that offer a variety of spaces ideal for a grand or intimate bridal shower.

From ballrooms to private dining rooms, outdoor patios to restaurant rentals, we have the perfect space for your shower.

Plus, our fabulous onsite catering and bar service make impressing your bride and guests easier than ever.

Talk to one of our wedding coordinators today to find the perfect venue for an unforgettable Orlando bridal shower.

By Kate Cohen

Orlando is a wonderful place for a romantic wedding that can bring your wildest dreams to life.

But when it comes to the time of year, not all seasons are created equally.

Fall, winter, and spring are ideal for an outdoor wedding in Orlando, but summer’s extreme heat and frequent rainstorms can be a challenge for couples and their guests.

The good news is Orlando summer weddings are absolutely doable with a few things to keep in mind.

Our biggest tip for hosting a summer wedding in Orlando?

Have it indoors. With air conditioning.

We understand the allure of an outdoor wedding in Florida, surrounded by lush wildlife and swaying palm trees.

But the risks of potentially problematic and uncomfortable weather may outweigh the appeal.

Plus, your perfect wedding venue could have windows overlooking scenic landscapes and letting in natural light, bringing the beauty of the outdoors into a comfortable, climate-controlled environment.

Everyone will be able to focus on celebrating you and your partner rather than worrying about staying cool and out of the sun on a hot summer day.

If your heart is still set on spending some time outdoors, here are a few tips for a successful summer wedding in Orlando.

 

Provide Plenty of Refreshments

Keeping your wedding party and your guests hydrated is critical if you’re having an outdoor wedding.

From the moment guests arrive, offer them cool water as they head to their seats for the ceremony.

Consider playful, boozy popsicles during cocktail hour to keep everyone refreshed.

Prioritize refilling water glasses throughout your celebration and reminding everyone to stay hydrated as they take to the dance floor.

 

Have a Really Solid Rain Plan

In addition to the intense heat and humidity, summer also happens to be Orlando’s rainiest season.

Summer storms, while often fleeting, are almost daily occurrences from May through September.

If your heart is set on an outdoor summer wedding, be sure you have a solid (indoor) backup plan in case the clouds come closing in.

 

When Outside, Provide as Much Shade as Possible

An outdoor ceremony may be scenic, but no one wants to sit and swelter in the sun.

If your guests are seated in the sun, offer plenty of shade using either umbrellas or overhead drapery.

Many wedding venues won’t allow tents in the summer due to the likelihood of the aforementioned storms.

When possible, try to seat your guests in a nice patch of shade. They’ll appreciate being out of the path of direct sunlight.

Placing handheld fans on every chair is always a welcome gesture, too.

Another way to work around the heat is to plan a sunset ceremony, when the temperatures begin to drop slightly.

If you choose a sunset ceremony, you may want to schedule bridal, couple, and wedding party photos for prior to saying “I do” to take advantage of natural light.

 

Set Realistic Expectations of your Florals

Many couples love the aesthetic of lush floral designs and arrangements on their wedding day.

Most flowers, however, don’t do well in the unrelenting Florida summer heat.

White flowers in particular tend to brown and wilt quickly, leaving ornate arches and displays looking tired.

Your florals will thank you for an indoor, air-conditioned space almost as much as your guests!

You’ll also be able to repurpose your ceremony flowers for your reception if they’re kept in cooler conditions indoors.

 

Have Extra Hairspray and Makeup on Hand

Florida summers aren’t just known for the heat. They’re also extremely humid.

Unfortunately, humidity can be the demise of a great hair style and can induce makeup-dripping sweat.

If you’re spending any part of your wedding day outdoors or even taking photos outside, you’ll want to plan for hair and makeup touch ups as needed.

Provide your wedding parties with gentle facewipes or handkerchiefs for the ceremony and photos.

It may even be worth hiring your hair and makeup artists to hang around, so you look fresh and picture perfect from the moment you walk down the aisle until your grand exit.

 

Pick Lightweight Attire

A heavy bridal gown laden with lace and a long train may look beautiful but can be miserable in the heat.

Similarly, formal tuxedos are not a great match for temps in the 90s and high humidity.

Instead, choose light fabrics and limited layers so you and your bridal parties can be as comfortable as possible.

 

Let a Planner Make the Tough Decisions

Every well-organized wedding needs a backup plan, especially summer weddings.

On your wedding day, you don’t want to be making big decisions about shifting plans and accommodating the unexpected.

Hire an experienced wedding planner or coordinator that you trust to make key decisions as issues arise.

The right person can ease your concerns while you rest easy knowing they’re advocating for the wedding you’ve worked so hard to plan.

 

Consider a Hotel Summer Wedding

While summer may be the slow season for weddings, it’s the busiest time of year for Orlando’s booming tourism industry.

Hosting your wedding at a hotel has a variety of perks, including the opportunity to offer your guests onsite rooms at discounted rates.

Our four beautiful Rosen Weddings hotel venues offer multiple indoor and outdoor spaces, in-house catering, and a skilled team of wedding specialists to help bring your dreams to life.

By Kate Cohen

Every great production needs a rehearsal, and weddings are no exception.

Once everyone has practiced walking down the aisle, figured out where to stand, and knows when to hand over the rings, it’s time for a well-deserved celebration.

The rehearsal dinner is the perfect opportunity to kick off your wedding weekend with the people who mean the most to you.

Here are Rosen Weddings’ 5 Rehearsal Dinner Tips for a Memorable Occasion.

1. Prioritize Quality Time

One of the best things about a rehearsal dinner is that it offers additional time to spend with your closest friends and family.

On your wedding day, you and your partner are going to be in demand for pictures, special dances, speeches, and other important moments.

Chances are you’ll barely have time to greet everyone and thank them for coming, let alone spend quality time with long distance family or even your bridal party.

Your rehearsal dinner is the perfect opportunity to enjoy one another’s company, soaking in all the love and savoring every moment.

2. Keep it Close

Being able to hold your ceremony rehearsal at your actual venue is always a plus.

If your guests are staying nearby (or even onsite if you’re hosting a hotel wedding), keeping your rehearsal dinner venue local is a wonderful convenience.

Look for nearby restaurants that can accommodate your group’s size to keep things simple.

If your hotel wedding has onsite dining options, it never hurts to see if you can host your rehearsal dinner there and potentially save a little extra.

3. Use the Time for Speeches

Weddings are a wonderful time to invite the most important people in your life to make a toast or a speech in honor of you and your partner.

If you have more than a handful of people that you’d like to invite to speak, the rehearsal dinner is the perfect time to hand off the mic.

Siblings, members of the bridal party, or other dear friends or family members who aren’t speaking at the wedding may appreciate the opportunity to say a few words.

Similarly, it’s a great opportunity for you and your partner to thank your favorite people for being a part of your celebration.

4. Limit your Guest List

Like your wedding, your rehearsal dinner can be whatever you want it to be.

If you want a big celebration, go for it! But don’t feel pressured to invite all of your out-of-town guests as a courtesy.

Your rehearsal dinner doesn’t have to feel like a second wedding, especially if it’s not in the budget.

Customarily, anyone who is requested to be at the rehearsal should be invited to the rehearsal dinner.

If possible, it’s a lovely gesture to extend the rehearsal dinner invitation to plus-ones of your bridal party and family members.

From there, feel free to invite any guests that you feel should be included in the event.

If you feel obligated to host an event for out-of-town guests, consider a casual welcome party at a nearby venue. Serve desserts and maybe a welcome drink but remember the real party you’re hosting is the following day.

5. It’s Okay to Keep Things Simple

Your rehearsal dinner is an extension of your wedding day and is still an event for you and your spouse-to-be to enjoy.

But just because you’ve pulled out all the stops for your wedding day doesn’t mean you have to go all out for your rehearsal dinner, too.

Hosting your rehearsal dinner at a fun, funky restaurant or embracing an experience at a bowling alley or arcade can be just as memorable as something formal.

Your guests may even appreciate something as simple as poolside pizza the night before a long day of celebrating.

Host your Wedding Weekend – including the rehearsal dinner – with Rosen Weddings

Rosen Weddings has four beautiful venues that are perfect for hosting an unforgettable wedding celebration.

Host your rehearsal dinner in one of our ballroom spaces, or let our renowned culinary team treat your guests to an incredible meal at one of our onsite restaurants.

Your guests will love being able to stay onsite in a beautiful hotel that’s convenient to everything Orlando has to offer.

Let our team of wedding specialists help you curate the perfect celebration worthy of your happily ever after.

By Kate Cohen

It’s time to tackle one of the most controversial wedding topics: whether or not to invite kids to your wedding.

For some couples, kids might be a distraction that draws attention away from the day’s activities.

For others, it’s unfathomable to host a family-centered celebration without their favorite little ones in tow.

Whether you choose to invite kids to your wedding or keep things adults-only, there are several things to consider before making your decision.

Here are some important things to think about when deciding whether or not to invite kids to your wedding.

If you DO Invite Kids to Your Wedding

Offer a Kids Menu

While your adult guests may enjoy a menu with dynamic flavors and ingredients, chances are your younger guests have pickier palates.

Offering a kid-friendly menu option will be appreciated by your kids and their relieved parents.

The good news is kid’s menus are often less expensive, so you’ll save a little money on your catering invoice, too.

Consider a Kids Room

If your venue has the space, consider designating a special area as the “Kids Room.”

This could be a corner of your reception space, or it could be a lounge or hospitality suite in a separate area from the party.

Hire certified babysitters to keep an eye on the kids while their parents are free to enjoy the rest of the reception.

You can fill the space with activities like coloring books, board games, crafts, and even video games to keep kids entertained.

As the evening goes on, set up a late-night movie with cozy blankets and pillows to help your younger guests wind down.

Be Mindful Making your Seating Chart

While it’s tempting to put anyone under the age of 10 at a designated “kids table,” you may need to be a bit more intentional about where you assign your guests seating.

Children under the age of 7 should typically be seated at a table with their grownups. This way, their parents can make sure they’re eating and assist as needed.

It’s very appropriate to seat families with young children at a table together.

Kids 7 and older can usually handle being seated at their own table, though designating or hiring a caregiver to sit with them is always a good idea.

If you DON’T Invite Kids to Your Wedding

Do You Want a Flower Girl and/or Ring Bearer?

Flower girls and ring bearers are arguably one of the cutest parts of a wedding ceremony.

If you have special kids in your life that you’d like to participate in your wedding day, then you should absolutely include them.

Some couples choose to invite kids to be a part of the ceremony, but not the reception.

Ideally, anyone included in your ceremony should be able to celebrate with you afterwards, kids included.

Your flower girl and ring bearer have gotten dressed up, purchased or rented an outfit, and maybe even traveled to get to your wedding. Inviting them to the reception is a way to acknowledge the efforts they’ve made to celebrate you and your partner.

You Can Make Exceptions, but Make them Fairly

Even if you want a mostly kid-free wedding, you may have a small number of kids who are important to you and you feel strongly about being a part of your big day.

The good news is you can still include them without having to extend an invite to every child in your social circle.

The key is to make your exceptions fairly.

For example, if you’re inviting nieces and nephews from one side of the family, you should extend the invite to kids on the other side, too.

Don’t be Offended if Guests Don’t Attend Because Their Kids Aren’t Invited

For some families, finding childcare just isn’t feasible for one reason or another, especially if your wedding is out of town.

As a result, don’t be offended if certain guests RSVP “no” because their kids haven’t been invited.

Just as you made the decision that was best for your wedding, your guests are allowed to make the decision that is best for their family.

Elegant Events at our Breathtaking Rosen Weddings Venues

Our four beautiful Rosen Weddings venues are perfect for accommodating weddings of all sizes – with or without kids on the guest list.

Our team of wedding specialists will help you bring your dream wedding to life with added perks like hospitality suites, discounted room rates for your guests to stay onsite, and fantastic in-house catering.

Schedule a consultation or a tour today to start envisioning your wedding with Rosen Weddings.