Great Ways to Include Your Stepdad in Your Wedding

Whether you’ve had a stepdad for a year or for 20, honoring him at your wedding is a great gesture and something he’ll never forget. Deciding how to include your stepdad in your wedding doesn’t have to be tricky. Depending on your relationship, there are several ways to do it. We have some suggestions that show you respect him and the other parents in your life, too.

INCLUDE YOUR STEPDAD IN THE PAPER SUITE

From the get-go, you can include your stepfather. Whether he’s financially contributing to the wedding or not, you can honor your stepfather by including him on the invite or in the program. Particularly if you’re having your stepdad partake in the ceremony (for more on that, keep reading), it’s nice to list him in the program.

IN THE PROCESSIONAL

There are several ways you can include your stepfather in the ceremony.  If you have a birthfather you can have them both walk you down the aisle. If they don’t get along or that just doesn’t feel right to you, another option is to have your stepdad walk you down half of the way, and then your birth father walks you towards your groom. A third option is to have your stepfather walk your mom down the aisle, right before you walk down, which celebrates their relationship as well.

INCLUDE YOUR STEPDAD IN YOUR WEDDING CEREMONY

If none of the above options seems feasible, you can have your stepdad read a poem or blessing during the ceremony. He can even read a quote from a favorite book, or another non-religious quote that is meaningful to you both. By including him in this way, you are still showing your respect and that he is an important person in your life.

IN THE RECEPTION

You can do a separate, or additional special dance, in addition to your traditional father-daughter dance. If you’re concerned about hurting your birth Dad with this one, it can be a shorter song but still a special memory.  You can also have your stepfather give a toast at the reception, again, just make sure you’re not stepping on anyone’s toes with this honor. 

EVEN MORE WAYS TO INCLUDE YOUR STEPDAD

Another way you can honor your stepfather is with a special boutonniere that is different from the other male members of your wedding party. You can also do three separate “1st looks” prior to the ceremony—one with your dad, one with your stepdad, and yet a third with your fiancé.  Each will provide special photo ops that reflect your unique relationship with each of these men in your life.

If you liked our tips on how to include your stepdad in your wedding, check out how to include step kids in your wedding.