For some people, getting married is all about family and loved ones. You have your bridal party, your father walking you down the aisle, the couple dancing with their parents, and so many other rituals and traditions that involve family. Families can come in all shapes and sizes and that means the way families celebrate milestones has evolved. Here are some ways you can celebrate your unique and loving relationships and show appreciation for their place in your life!

Stepparents/surrogate parents

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Photography by the Atlanta Wedding Photographers at www.AtlantaArtisticWeddings.com

Any parental figure in your life deserves to be recognized, whether they’re a parent, stepparent, or an acting surrogate parent, like a family friend or aunt or uncle. If your birth parents can’t be present at your wedding, you can ask these folks to fulfill the typical parental duties, such as walking you down the aisle or sharing a spotlight dance with you. On the other hand, if your birth parents are able to fulfill those roles, your step/surrogate parents can contribute in many other ways, like officiating your ceremony or making a toast at the reception. There are also no limits to how many spotlight dances you can do. I know brides and grooms who each danced with all parental figures present!

Kids/Stepkids

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Photography by the Atlanta Wedding Photographers at www.AtlantaArtisticWeddings.com

For some couples, the bride and groom are already parents and must consider how best to join a family together when their kids/stepkids are in the picture. One of the most meaningful things you can do is include them in your vows. It can mean the world to them if you promise to be there for them just like you promise to be there for your spouse, and it will let them know for certain that you consider them part of your family. Another way you can incorporate your children/stepchildren is having them in your wedding party as a ring bearer, flower girl, or even best man or maid of honor. Our photographers have also seen some couples let their children make toasts at the reception and they are always beautiful and heartwarming.

Friends Who Are Like Family

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Naturally, your friends can also become like you’re family. Whether you’ve known them since you were born or you guys have simply been through a lot in the few years you’ve know them, you’ll want to have them by your side at your wedding. Of course you can always have them as part of your bridal party, maybe even maid of honor or best man. We have also had couples who let their close friends officiate their wedding or DJ the reception. It can also mean a lot to them to be involved in helping with preparations for the wedding. They can come with you when you pick out your dress or tuxedo or to look at wedding venues.

Thanks for checking out this Atlanta wedding photographers blog! I hope you enjoyed the read and that you found it helpful! Make sure you keep coming back to our blog to see what the Atlanta wedding photographers at Atlanta Artistic Weddings get up to! If you’d like to contact me go to the contact page and drop me a line at https://www.atlantaartisticweddings.com/contact-atlanta-wedding-photographer. I would love to hear from you!

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