There are a variety of ways in which you can involve people, both adults and children in your ceremony, but please discuss your plans with the Superintendent Registrar to work out what is practical in any particular Register Office or Venue. Here are a few ideas to help:

•The bride could make an entrance to music on the arm of someone important to her (this could be a parent, sibling or friend for example) accompanied by bridesmaids and / or pageboys

•If both sets of parents are to be with you on the day remember that your natural or adoptive father will have his details in the marriage entry anyway. To include both mothers in such a permanent record as the two witnesses means that they too get a mention, after all they often do a lot of the hard work for you!

•The rings could be given to either one or two people(adults or children) to hold for you, ready to hand over at the appropriate point in the ceremony

•Nominate someone to take the flowers from the bride when needed (adult or child)

•Allow a child to hold the ring cushion from which you take the rings to exchange (many Register Offices provide a cushion or tray for the rings, both in the office itself and at Venues)

It can be particulary memorable to involve your children, this can be especially symbolic when joining two families together. The only advice we would give for young children is to ask them if they would like to be involved, have fun practicing their role, be prepared if they do not want to "perform" on the day and offer bribery as and when required! From our experience of thousands of marriages over the years we would not recommend a role for any child under 4, other than bridesmaid or pageboy.